Stop safely

Engine overheating warning light: meaning and what to do

What it means

Coolant temperature is too high. Possible causes: low coolant, a leak, a failed fan or thermostat.

Can I keep driving?

No. When the engine overheating light is on, pull over where it's safe and turn the engine off. Driving on can cause serious damage or make the car unsafe.

What to do

Pull over and turn the engine off. Never open a hot radiator cap. Let it cool, check the coolant level and look for leaks.

On some cars it shows as text

TEMPHOT

What the color tells you

Red lights warn about a problem that can be dangerous or damage the car. Stop as soon as it's safe.

Other lights of the same color