What does it mean when the water temperature is displayed as high?
2 Answers
The reasons for displaying high water temperature are: 1. The cooling fan is not rotating or has malfunctioned; 2. Issues with the cooling medium or the coolant has been depleted; 3. The thermostat is damaged; 4. The radiator has malfunctioned; 5. Incorrect ignition method leading to excessive oil pressure; 6. The water pump has failed. Precautions to prevent engine water temperature from becoming too high: 1. Ensure sufficient cooling water is added; 2. Check if the thermostat is functioning properly. If the thermostat is abnormal, it can be temporarily removed, but a faulty thermostat should not be left at the water jacket outlet; 3. Park in a shaded area. If the engine water temperature is too high, choose a shaded area to park and cool down; 4. Continuously monitor the water temperature gauge while driving, ensuring it does not exceed 95 degrees. To enhance cooling air convection, the engine hood can be opened when parked to facilitate ventilation and heat dissipation.
I've been driving for over ten years and have encountered high engine temperature a few times. Once during a summer road trip, the red warning light on the dashboard scared me into pulling over. The cause might have been too little coolant due to a leak—when I popped the hood, the level was almost empty, so I topped it up with some water to barely make it to the repair shop. It could also be a radiator fan not spinning, like if the fan belt snapped or the motor failed, causing insufficient cooling and a temperature spike. Another possibility is a stuck thermostat that fails to open when it should, disrupting temperature control. An aging water pump might also struggle to circulate coolant properly. Regular checks help, and topping up coolant during seasonal changes can prevent trouble. If the engine overheats, never keep driving—wait until it cools down before handling it.
