Park in a safe place as soon as you can and turn off the engine to prevent it from overheating further.
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Wait before opening the hood
Wait several minutes before checking anything. A hot engine can give off a lot of heat and steam.
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Check the coolant level
Once the vehicle has cooled down sufficiently, you can check if the level seems low in the reservoir provided for this purpose.
Warning: Never open the expansion tank or radiator cap while the engine is hot , as the system is under pressure and this can cause serious burns.
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Observe if there is a visible anomaly
A simple glance can sometimes reveal:
- a trace of liquid under the car;
- a damaged hose;
- a loose element;
- or an abnormally low level.
If any doubt remains, it is best to have the vehicle checked.
The most frequent causes of engine overheating
Several reasons can explain the appearance of this warning light. Among the most common are:
- a lack of coolant;
- a radiator problem;
- a faulty fan;
- a worn part of the cooling system.
In all cases, it is important not to ignore the signal, even if the light disappears afterwards.