If Your Engine Overheats - Honda 1993 Civic Coupe Owner's Manual

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 determine
the reason.
NOTICE
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
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
hood. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Steam and spray from an over-
heated engine can seriously
scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.

If Your Engine Overheats

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 and/or spray
coming from under the hood,
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/C running, for example), the
engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the
temperature gauge comes
down to the midpoint then
continue driving.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
continued