What to Do When the Car's Water Temperature Is Too High?
2 Answers
The solutions for an excessively high car water temperature are: 1. Put on gloves, place a multi-folded wet cloth over the radiator cap, unscrew the cap to allow steam to slowly escape, and after the radiator pressure drops, add cool water or antifreeze; 2. Check if there is too much mud, lint, or gravel on the radiator surface, which may reduce its cooling efficiency, and clean it thoroughly during car washing; 3. If caused by insufficient coolant due to water pipe leakage, add distilled or purified water as an emergency measure and arrange for repairs when convenient; 4. A faulty thermostat can disrupt the coolant circulation. If there is a noticeable temperature difference between the upper and lower rubber hoses of the radiator when touched by hand, it indicates a damaged thermostat that needs to be removed and replaced.
When encountering a rapidly rising temperature gauge while driving, I immediately pull over to a safe spot, turn off the engine to let it cool down. Avoid hastily opening the hood as hot steam may scald your arms. After waiting 10-15 minutes, check the coolant level – if low, you can temporarily add distilled water, but switch back to dedicated coolant soon to prevent system corrosion. Then test if the fan operates normally; sometimes loose belts or faulty electronic components cause poor heat dissipation. Remember to regularly inspect the entire cooling system, including the radiator and water pump – prevention is far more convenient than emergency repairs. I've seen cases of cylinder scoring due to engine overheating, and those repair costs are substantial. Safety always comes before making up time on the road.
