The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherifyouaredrivingup
a long st eep hill on a v ery hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine t he reason.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
Y our vehicle can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indicationmaybethetemperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming from under the bonnet.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
and set the parking brake. T urn
off the climate control system and
all other accessories. Turn on the
hazard warning indicat ors.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the bonnet,
turn off the engine.
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.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
bonnet.
1.
2.
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4.
5.
IftheEngineOverheats(Dieselmodels)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
462
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the bonnet if
steam is coming out.
06/12/06 11:31:18 32SMR600_465
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