What does the 'ch' on the dashboard mean?
2 Answers
The 'ch' on the dashboard refers to the coolant temperature gauge. The temperature scale ranges from 'c' to 'h', where 'c' indicates a temperature of 60 degrees. Once the needle reaches 'c', it means the coolant temperature has reached 60 degrees. The 'h' marked in red represents 110 degrees, and the span from 60 to 110 degrees allows for an estimation of the current coolant temperature. The coolant temperature indicator is designed to alert the driver about the temperature of the coolant inside the engine. Some indicators use colors to signify different states: blue indicates the coolant is too cold, red means it's too hot, and no light indicates normal operation. If the coolant temperature light stays on, it suggests a malfunction in the cooling system. Common issues include: 1. Insufficient antifreeze in the engine cooling system; 2. A faulty thermostat causing the coolant temperature to rise excessively; 3. A malfunctioning cooling fan leading to poor heat dissipation of the coolant.
The other day while driving, the dashboard suddenly lit up with a 'CH' icon, which gave me a scare! This is the Charge Hold indicator light, commonly seen in electric or hybrid vehicles, indicating that the battery is currently charging or the system is temporarily maintaining the charging state without interruption to prevent sudden battery depletion during long-distance driving. It often lights up in situations like slow-moving traffic, after turning on the air conditioning, or during downhill deceleration when the car automatically switches to an energy-saving mode. If it stays constantly lit or flashes continuously, you should check whether the battery pack is aging, the charging port plug is loose, or if the software system needs an update. Long-term neglect could lead to premature battery failure or even power loss while driving. A friend of mine once ignored it and ended up stranded on the road, incurring hefty repair costs. For safety, it's best to pull over immediately if you notice any abnormalities, restart the vehicle, or schedule an inspection at a repair shop to identify the specific cause.
