Today, an increasing number of new vehicles don’t have temperature gauges. There are many possible reasons that your engine is running hot, including low coolant levels, a clogged or closed thermostat, a failed head gasket or a water pump malfunction. If the temperature gauge consistently shows the engine is warmer than normal, have your cooling system checked ASAP. If you have the supplies on-hand, consider topping off the radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water or a premixed coolant. If possible, let the engine cool for an hour and check the coolant levels. You can pull off the road for a while or turn off the A/C and turn on the heater to try to cool things off. Using the air conditioning at full blast, stop-and-go driving on a scorching day, and towing can raise the engine temperature above normal, so don’t panic if there’s a small change in the gauge reading. That way, if the needle starts creeping up higher, closer to the hot mark, you’ll have early notice that something is wrong in the cooling system. Instead, you should monitor where it is when the engine is fully warm so that you know what “normal” is for your engine. In some vehicles, the needle may never reach the middle of the gauge, so don’t be alarmed if it stops short of the midpoint. In most cars, the temperature needle will be at or near the center when the engine is at normal operating temperature, which usually takes at least a minute or two to reach after starting a cold engine. Instead, there are typically markings for cold and hot on the edges of the gauge and a normal range in the middle. In extreme cases, driving a car with an overheated engine even a short distance can destroy the cylinder head, engine block or internal parts.įortunately, most modern vehicles have a gauge that displays a constant temperature reading of the coolant circulating inside the engine, giving the driver an early warning about a problem in the cooling system.įor most cars, the normal operating engine temperature is in a range of 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, though most dashboard temperature gauges don’t show an exact temperature. CARS.COM - Wondering whether or not you should be worried about your engine overheating? You should be very concerned, because an overheated engine can be far more than an inconvenience.
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