What is the normal radiator temperature?
Since it is a heat exchanger, the engine’s radiator naturally gets hot, especially after a bit of driving. But how hot does it actually get? A typical engine operates at around 195-220 degrees Fahrenheit or 91-104 degrees Celsius when warmed up.
What should the coolant temperature of my car be?
This will likely be somewhere in the 160 to 190 degree range based on what your drive. Another thing to consider when watching your engine coolant temperature is what the engine cooling fans are set to.
When does the coolant temperature warning light turn on?
The coolant temperature warning light turns on when your engine is sensed to be too hot and is at risk of damage from overheating. Is it safe to drive with the coolant temperature warning light on?
What causes a car engine to overheat when there is no coolant?
Low Coolant By a large margin, the most common cause for engine overheating is simply a low coolant level. Your engine’s cooling system relies on coolant to circulate and remove heat from the engine. If you don’t have enough coolant in there to do the job, heat will build up and your engine will overheat.
Can a bad coolant sensor cause a car to not start?
Some cars use the engine coolant temperature sensor to control the electric cooling fans. You have two separate temperature sensors for the fans, dashboard gauge, and engine management in most cars. However, if your car has a single sensor, a bad engine coolant temperature sensor may result in your fans won’t start at all.
What happens to the coolant when the engine is too hot?
The rest of the hot coolant is regulated by the thermostat, which maintains a consistent engine temperature that does not rise above or fall below the engine’s normal operating temperature. If the engine is too hot, the thermostat will open to allow the flow of coolant into the radiator.
The coolant temperature warning light turns on when your engine is sensed to be too hot and is at risk of damage from overheating. Is it safe to drive with the coolant temperature warning light on?
What should I do if my car engine is too hot?
If possible, let the engine cool for an hour and check the coolant levels. 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 the temperature gauge consistently shows the engine is warmer than normal, have your cooling system checked ASAP.
Some cars use the engine coolant temperature sensor to control the electric cooling fans. You have two separate temperature sensors for the fans, dashboard gauge, and engine management in most cars. However, if your car has a single sensor, a bad engine coolant temperature sensor may result in your fans won’t start at all.