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The
reading on 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
reading
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
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 if steam
is
coming out.
1.
Safely pull to
the
side of
the
road.
Put
the
transmission in Neutral
and
set
the
parking brake.
Turn
off
the
heating and cooling system
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.
If
Your
Engine
Overheats
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
tempera-
ture gauge comes down to
the
mid-
point
then
continue driving.
4.
If
the
temperature gauge stays at
the
red
mark, turn off
the
engine.
5.
Wait until you see no more signs
of
steam
or
spray,
then
open
the
hood.
CONTINUED
Taking
Care
of
the
Unexpected
223
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