Car overheating
A temperature gauge in the red or a coolant warning means stop soon and safely — modern engines tolerate very little overheating before the damage is permanent.
What you might be seeing
- Gauge climbing past normal or into the red
- Steam from the bonnet, sweet smell of coolant
- Heater suddenly blowing cold while the gauge climbs
The likely causes, honestly ranked
- Coolant loss: hoses, radiator, water pump, expansion tank
- Failed thermostat
- Cooling fan not running (shows up in traffic)
- Head gasket (the expensive one — often after a previous overheat)
Do this now
- Pull over, engine off, bonnet open — but do NOT open the coolant cap while hot; it is pressurised and it burns
- When fully cooled, check the level; if you top up, watch the gauge closely afterwards
- If the level fell fast or it climbs again, request recovery rather than drive — overheating is how small repairs become engine replacements
What to avoid
- "Pushing on" for the last few kilometres in the red
- Opening a hot pressurised cooling system
- Topping with plain water repeatedly and calling it fixed
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Frequently asked questions
How far can I drive an overheating car?
Practically: as far as the next safe place to stop, and no further. The gauge in the red is measured engine damage accumulating.
Why does my car overheat only in traffic?
That pattern points at the cooling fan not coming on — moving air masks it at speed. It is a diagnosable, fixable fault.
Is it safe to top up coolant myself?
Once fully cooled, topping to the mark with the right coolant is fine to get you moving — but the missing coolant went somewhere. Book the leak found.
Written and reviewed by the Escargo team · Updated 9 August 2026 · Escargo shows real local businesses only — where none is listed yet, the page says so honestly.