What does the exclamation mark below the Crown water temperature gauge indicate?
3 Answers
The exclamation mark below the Crown water temperature gauge indicates the tire pressure warning light, alerting the owner to either excessive or insufficient tire pressure. The unit of the water temperature gauge is Celsius. When the engine starts, the water temperature gauge should indicate no less than 50 degrees Celsius. During normal driving, the normal reading of the water temperature gauge should be between 70 degrees Celsius and 90 degrees Celsius. Effects of excessively high water temperature on the engine: 1. Expansion of engine components will reduce the clearance between parts, increasing engine wear; 2. Reduced viscosity of engine oil, which can lead to increased wear on various components and a shortened engine lifespan; 3. Damage to the cylinder head gasket, which may cause cross-flow between the water, oil, and air passages on the gasket, allowing engine oil to enter the radiator and water to enter the engine oil. The Crown is a mid-to-large-sized car brand under the Toyota Group, with body dimensions of 5020mm in length, 1805mm in width, and 1480mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2925mm.
That exclamation mark light next to the water temperature gauge is no small matter—I encountered it while driving my Crown. It alerts you that the engine temperature is too high, which could be due to insufficient coolant, a faulty water pump, or a non-functioning fan. Continuing to drive could damage the engine, leading to seized pistons and repair costs in the tens of thousands. I immediately pulled over, turned off the engine, and waited for it to cool before checking the coolant level by opening the radiator cap. It was too low, so I temporarily added purified water to get to the repair shop. The technician later advised me to regularly replace the antifreeze, as running the AC in summer increases the load and makes such issues more likely. Never ignore this warning light and push through.
Seeing that exclamation mark light up under the temperature gauge always makes me nervous—it means the car's engine is overheating. This warning can be triggered by cooling system failures, such as insufficient or contaminated coolant. If you don't pull over and address it, the engine could suffer permanent damage. Once, when it lit up on the highway, I broke out in a cold sweat, immediately slowed down, pulled over, and shut off the engine. After waiting half an hour for the temperature to drop, I checked if the fan was functioning properly. New drivers, especially, should prioritize safety—pull over immediately to avoid risks. To minimize unexpected issues, it's advisable to check the coolant level weekly as a preventive measure.
