There is a coolant temperature warning light on your vehicle's instrument panel. See Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Caution: Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.Notice: If the engine catches fire because of being driven with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
| • | Climb a long hill on a hot day. |
| • | Stop after high-speed driving. |
| • | Idle for long periods in traffic. |
| • | Tow a trailer. |
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
- If you have an air conditioner and it is on, turn it off.
- Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the windows as necessary.
- Try to minimize engine load. If you are in a traffic jam, shift to N (Neutral); otherwise, shift to the highest gear possible while driving.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes. If the warning does not come back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three minutes while you are parked. If the warning continues, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.
There is a coolant temperature warning light on the vehicle's instrument panel. See Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light.
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Caution: Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious injury, even if the hood is opened just a little. Stay away from the engine if steam is seen or heard coming from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before opening the hood.
If driving continues when the engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. Someone could get badly burned. Stop the engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the engine has cooled.Notice: Driving the vehicle when there is no coolant in the coolant overflow recovery bottle, can badly damage the engine. The costly repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From The Engine
If there is an engine overheat warning, but no steam can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when:
| • | Climbing a long hill on a hot day. |
| • | Stopping after high-speed driving. |
| • | Idling for long periods in traffic. |
| • | Towing a trailer. |
If there is an overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
- If there is an air conditioner and it is on, turn it off.
- Turn on the heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the windows as necessary.
- Try to minimize engine load. If in a traffic jam, shift to N (Neutral); otherwise, shift to the highest gear possible while driving.
If the overheat warning is no longer on, the vehicle can be driven. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes. If the warning does not come back on, drive normally.
If the warning continues and the vehicle is not stopped, pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three minutes while parked. If the warning continues, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
The decision may be made to not lift the hood but to get service help right away.
