If you’ve ever seen a warning light on your dashboard that looks like a thermometer, it’s the engine temperature warning light. When it comes on, it means that your engine is overheating, which can cause serious damage to your car if not addressed promptly.
What Does the Engine Temperature Warning Light Mean
The engine temperature warning light on your dashboard is designed to alert you when your engine is overheating. The light can appear for a variety of reasons, including low coolant levels, a malfunctioning thermostat, a broken water pump, or a blocked radiator. Whatever the cause, when your engine overheats, it can cause severe damage to your car, including engine failure, which is why it’s important to take action when the warning light comes on.
What Should You Do If the Engine Temperature Warning Light Comes On
If the engine temperature light illuminates on your dash, there are several things you should do right away to help prevent damage to your engine:
- Pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so: When the engine temperature warning light comes on, it’s important to pull over and turn off the engine as soon as possible. Continuing to drive can cause further damage to your car, so find a safe spot to pull over and turn off the engine.
- Check the coolant level: Low coolant levels are one of the most common explanations for the engine temperature warning light to light up. Check the coolant level in your car’s reservoir to see if it’s low. If it is, you can try adding more coolant to see if that helps.
- Check for leaks: If your coolant level is low, it’s possible that you have a leak somewhere in your car’s cooling system. Look for signs of coolant leaks around the engine bay or underneath your car.
- Call a professional: If you’re not sure what’s causing the engine temperature warning light to come on or if you’re unable to fix the problem yourself, it’s best to call a professional mechanic. At Transmission Hero, we can diagnose the problem and make any necessary repairs to get your car back on the road.
If you notice the engine temperature light on your car's dash, it’s vital to take action right away to prevent further damage to your vehicle. We are auto repair experts at Transmission Hero who have plenty of experience repairing cooling systems, engines, and more. Please call or visit our shop today for quality service!