What does a flashing red thermometer light on the dashboard indicate?
2 Answers
This is the coolant temperature warning light, indicating that the coolant temperature is outside the specified range. A red light signifies that the engine is overheating. Here is relevant information: Normal coolant temperature: The standard engine coolant temperature should be around 90°C. If the temperature becomes excessively high or low, or rises/drops rapidly, it indicates an issue with the vehicle's cooling system. Battery indicator light: The battery light displays the working status of the car battery, typically appearing in red or yellow. If this light remains illuminated after starting the vehicle, it alerts you to potential battery problems requiring inspection or replacement.
I've been driving for decades, and whenever that thermometer red light on the dashboard flashes, I immediately become alert—it usually indicates engine overheating. The most common causes might be insufficient coolant, such as coolant leakage or slight evaporation, a broken water pump failing to circulate the coolant, or the fan not spinning to dissipate heat. Last summer, I experienced this once—the red light flashed while I was on the road, and upon checking, the radiator was completely dry, nearly damaging the engine. My advice is to stop and turn off the engine as soon as you see the light flashing, wait for the engine to cool down, then check the coolant and radiator cap. Never force it to keep running, or the repair could cost thousands, and worse, the cylinder head might warp. It's good practice to regularly pop the hood and check the coolant level. Adding some water before summer can also help—it's cost-effective and gives peace of mind.
