Hello, Cayenne here this week, and we're starting to see temperature changes as summer winds down and fall approaches. You know your body temperature is supposed to be 98.6 degrees F, 37 degrees C. Your vehicle has a normal temperature, too, and paying attention to it can save you big headaches down the road. So without being too hot or too cold, let's get barkin' on what our temperature gauge means in our vehicles.
Many vehicles have a temperature gauge on the dash that reads the engine's coolant temperature. Some have a thermometer symbol, some read C-H (cold to hot). Many have a red zone that shows when water temperature is entering the danger zone. Others are digital and have a red warning light that signals overheating. Some vehicles also have a light that comes on when the engine temperature is outside the normal range.
If your vehicle has a gauge, pay attention to it. If you need help locating it, ask one of our Allied Auto Works experts for a quick explanation. Chances are, when the vehicle has been running for 15 minutes or more, the temperature gauge will settle into its own "normal" zone, often just below the midway point. If you have a digital readout, remember what that "normal" temperature is. Here's why.
At any point when you're driving, the temperature gauge is the quickest way to get a sense that the engine is running the way it should, a quick health checkup, as it were. Say you're on a 3-hour trip, glance at that gauge every hour or so. It should always be in the same spot. If it starts to move one way or the other, you may catch a problem before it gets serious.
Pay special attention to it moving into the hot zone. The needle on the gauge is the easiest and least distracting way to see an engine heating up, but on a digital gauge, start paying attention if the temperature reaches 240ºF/115ºC or more.
Remember, though, that just because the gauge reads "hot" doesn't mean your engine is on the verge of burning up. It could be a bad sensor and the engine will be at a normal temperature. But it also could be a failing water pump, coolant leak or thermostat. By pulling off the road and observing your engine, it will give you a pretty good idea if it's running hot or not.
If the gauge is too "cold," it could be a broken gauge or thermostat sticking open. Usually being in the cold range isn't as worrisome, but you should have it checked out since other systems may be affected.
Heat is one of a vehicle's worst enemies, especially when it comes from within. Know your vehicle's normal temperature and keep an eye on it.
For this week I leave you this from a famous fairytale about hot & cold
In the fairy tale, Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Goldilocks tastes three bowls of porridge and finds that Papa Bear's is too hot, Mama Bear's is too cold, and Baby Bear's is neither too hot nor too cold, but just right.
Cayenne
Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com