What to Do When the Engine Overheats Warning Appears?
4 Answers
Methods to cool down the engine are as follows: 1. Add coolant. High engine temperature is often due to insufficient coolant in the antifreeze reservoir. Since there are many small tubes on the antifreeze reservoir, if the coolant leakage is caused by loosening, you can choose to wrap the damaged tube with a rope or plastic bag. 2. Inspect the electric fan. If the fan does not turn when the water temperature reaches the red line, it indicates that the fan thermostat switch has been burned out. Below are precautions for engine maintenance: 1. Do not blindly remove the engine thermostat. Removing the thermostat due to high engine temperature will cause the coolant to only circulate in a large loop, unable to adjust the cooling intensity. This makes it difficult to ensure the engine operates at an appropriate temperature, often leaving it in a low-temperature state, resulting in reduced engine power, accelerated wear, and increased fuel consumption. 2. The water pump fan belt should not be overly tight. A tighter belt is not necessarily better. An excessively tight belt will not only stretch or break, shortening its lifespan, but also cause excessive tension, leading to deformation and bending of the generator shaft and water pump shaft, as well as premature damage to the bearings.
I've encountered the engine overheating warning several times, and experience tells me not to panic. When you see a red light on the dashboard or the temperature gauge soaring, immediately find a safe place to pull over, turn off the engine, and let it cool down. This waiting period is about ten minutes—don't rush to open the hood, as the heat can cause burns. Check the coolant reservoir: if the level is below the minimum mark, there might be a leak or insufficient coolant; whether the fan is working properly is also a key point. I've also noticed that during long summer drives, the radiator tends to accumulate dust, leading to poor heat dissipation, so it's important to clean the radiator dust during regular car washes. If the problem isn't resolved and you continue driving, the engine pistons or cylinder block could melt, resulting in repair costs exceeding tens of thousands. It's advisable to call for roadside assistance to tow the car to a repair shop after stopping, and to develop a habit of checking the cooling system every six months to minimize risks.
As a novice driver, I was really confused when I encountered the engine overheating warning light for the first time. But after taking driving school courses, I learned that upon noticing overheating, you must immediately pull over to a safe spot, turn off the engine, and let it cool for at least 30 minutes. Checking the coolant is fundamental: before opening the reservoir cap, test the temperature by wrapping your hand with a cloth; if the level is low, you need to add more. Also, pay attention to whether the fan kicks in when the engine is hot—sometimes a faulty relay prevents the fan from running, causing the cooling system to fail. I made a mistake myself: once I drove for a while with insufficient coolant, and the engine noise got louder, nearly causing serious damage. Now I've learned my lesson—when overheating occurs, I call a professional tow truck immediately to avoid bigger repair issues. Regularly reviewing the vehicle manual to understand cooling system maintenance has also been a big help.
From a technical perspective, discussing engine overheating issues, this usually stems from cooling system abnormalities. After parking to cool down, I usually check a few points: whether there is coolant leakage, such as cracks in the radiator or hoses; if the fan is operating normally—if the water temperature is high but the fan is silent, the electrical circuit needs to be checked; a faulty water pump can also cause poor circulation. Those with strong hands-on skills can use a thermometer to measure engine temperature and confirm cooling efficiency. Untreated overheating can lead to internal engine parts melting or seizing, resulting in expensive repairs. I recommend simple DIY solutions like topping up coolant if feasible after parking, but for major issues, it's best to go to a professional shop for inspection, and also inquire whether antifreeze needs to be replaced to prevent freezing in winter.
