From there, your vehicle’s computer will use this temperature information to either continue operating or adjust certain engine functions, always working to keep the engine temperature at an ideal level.Īs the control system receives the temperature from the CTS, it may trigger the cooling fan to either shut off or turn on. The temperature is then sent to the on-board control system. The sensor works by measuring the temperature that’s being given off by the thermostat and/or the coolant itself. The tip of the CTS is probably located right next to the engine coolant. On most vehicles, the coolant temperature sensor (CTS) can be found somewhere near the engine thermostat, which allows it to function optimally. But how does this car temperature sensor really work-and what’s its purpose? The sensor keeps tabs on the operating temperature and alerts the on-car computer when there’s a potential problem. You may not know-but hopefully, your vehicle coolant temperature sensor does. The Editorial department is independent of ’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.How hot does your vehicle’s engine get during an average drive? In line with ’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. Or a new car.Ĭars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. It’s better to play it safe than risk having to buy a new engine. If a red or yellow temperature warning light comes on, assume the worst: get off the road, shut off the engine and call for help. Without a gauge, though, it’s anybody’s guess as to how high above normal the temperature is or how long it’s been above normal. The blue light goes off once the engine reaches its normal temperature.Īll vehicles also have a warning light that’s supposed to come on when the engine exceeds its normal temperature (it also illuminates for a couple of seconds when you start the engine). Instead, they have a warning light that (usually) glows blue when the engine is cold - one way of telling you that turning on the heater will generate cold or cool air. Today, an increasing number of new vehicles don’t have temperature gauges. There are many possible reasons that your engine is running hot, including low coolant levels, a clogged or closed thermostat, a failed head gasket or a water pump malfunction. If the temperature gauge consistently shows the engine is warmer than normal, have your cooling system checked ASAP. If you have the supplies on-hand, consider topping off the radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water or a premixed coolant. If possible, let the engine cool for an hour and check the coolant levels. You can pull off the road for a while or turn off the A/C and turn on the heater to try to cool things off. Using the air conditioning at full blast, stop-and-go driving on a scorching day, and towing can raise the engine temperature above normal, so don’t panic if there’s a small change in the gauge reading. That way, if the needle starts creeping up higher, closer to the hot mark, you’ll have early notice that something is wrong in the cooling system. Instead, you should monitor where it is when the engine is fully warm so that you know what “normal” is for your engine. In some vehicles, the needle may never reach the middle of the gauge, so don’t be alarmed if it stops short of the midpoint. In most cars, the temperature needle will be at or near the center when the engine is at normal operating temperature, which usually takes at least a minute or two to reach after starting a cold engine. Instead, there are typically markings for cold and hot on the edges of the gauge and a normal range in the middle. In extreme cases, driving a car with an overheated engine even a short distance can destroy the cylinder head, engine block or internal parts.įortunately, most modern vehicles have a gauge that displays a constant temperature reading of the coolant circulating inside the engine, giving the driver an early warning about a problem in the cooling system.įor most cars, the normal operating engine temperature is in a range of 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, though most dashboard temperature gauges don’t show an exact temperature. CARS.COM - Wondering whether or not you should be worried about your engine overheating? You should be very concerned, because an overheated engine can be far more than an inconvenience.
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