What to Do When the Car Engine Temperature is Too High?
2 Answers
Methods to resolve high car engine temperature: 1. When the water temperature alarm sounds, first reduce speed, then pull over to the side of the road, and do not rush to turn off the engine. 2. Do not shut off the engine immediately; instead, maintain idle operation temporarily to try to cool it down. 3. Put on gloves, place a folded wet cloth over the radiator cap, and gently unscrew the cap slightly to allow steam to slowly escape. Once the radiator pressure drops, add cool water or antifreeze. Below is related information about car engine temperature: Common causes of high water temperature include: 1. Insufficient antifreeze in the engine cooling system, which may be due to leaks in the engine, such as water pump leakage, damaged pipes, or radiator damage. 2. A faulty thermostat in the engine cooling system causing high water temperature. If the thermostat fails to open, coolant flow within the engine is obstructed, leading to overheating. 3. Malfunctioning cooling fans in the engine cooling system, resulting in poor coolant heat dissipation. This causes the water temperature warning light to illuminate and the coolant temperature to rise. 4. A faulty water pump in the engine cooling system, where the pump does not rotate smoothly, leading to poor coolant circulation, triggering the water temperature warning light and high coolant temperature.
When I first started driving, the engine temperature suddenly skyrocketed, which scared me so much that I broke out in a cold sweat. The red light on the dashboard was flashing, so I quickly pulled over, turned off the engine and air conditioning, and carefully opened the hood to let it cool down. Upon checking the coolant reservoir, I found the water level was almost empty. I added some distilled water as an emergency measure, but tap water should never be used—it can cause scale buildup and clog the radiator. Engine overheating can damage cylinders or pistons, and repair costs can easily run into thousands of dollars. I've developed a habit of checking the coolant level weekly and ensuring the system is in good condition before long trips. During the hot summer months, I avoid congested routes to reduce engine load. Safety comes first—always stop immediately for inspection and repairs, and never push it until more severe damage occurs.
