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If Your Engine Overheats
The pointer of your car's temperature
gauge should stay in the midrange
under most conditions. It may go
higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
stop and determine the reason.
NOTICE
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the car or engine
cover. In either case, you should take
immediate action.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can seriously
scald you.
Do not open the hood or engine
compartment if steam is coming
out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the climate control and all
other accessories. Turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam a n d / o r spray
coming from under the car or
engine cover, turn off the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the a i r conditioning
running, for example), the engine
should start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the temperature gauge conies
down to the white mark then
continue driving.
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