Motorists often scratch their heads over the meaning of various warning lights on their dashboards.
But drivers need to learn the meaning of a red symbol that looks like two wavy lines with a thermometer sticking out.
Not knowing what this means could cost them dearly as they wouldn’t realize their car was overheating before it was too late, risking them being stuck and costing thousands in repairs.
Some cars have an illuminated dash icon that alerts the driver if the car is overheating – the engine cooling warning light.
According to a survey by ATS Euromaster, the engine cooling warning light is the least recognized dashboard icon by British drivers, with 80 per cent unable to identify it correctly.
Drivers were shocked to learn the meaning of the dashboard’s red warning light, which looks like two wavy lines with a thermometer sticking out – it means your car is overheating
While many think it’s obvious, others who saw it light up were confused as to what the symbol means.
“What does the icon that looks like a thermometer/tree in water mean in a car?” asked a user on Twitter.
And another user, undeterred by his car’s dire warning, wrote: “I’ll just continue to ignore the squiggly lines on my dashboard. I don’t need any more unexpected bills this month.’
But a concerned fellow driver urged them to have it checked, replying: “Squiggly line under a thermometer icon, you need to check your coolant as soon as possible.”
The warning light alerts the driver that the engine is overheating. So if you see the light come on while driving, you should stop as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the engine.
You should then pop the hood and leave your car turned off for at least half an hour to cool off, the RAC says.
Never remove the radiator cap or expansion tank cap on an overheated engine as they are pressurized and can cause severe vapor burns.
If your engine overheats, it can cause expensive damage to your car. You could even damage the engine beyond repair.
Halfords experts say that persistent overheating or the warning light coming on regularly also usually indicates that the engine coolant level is getting low, so topping up is probably a top priority. If this does not solve the problem, there could be another problem and you will have to go to a mechanic.
Engine coolant: Check and top up
Cars use engine coolant, also commonly known as antifreeze because it does not freeze at low temperatures, to dissipate the heat generated by the engine.
Vehicles usually have a coolant reservoir with markings for minimum and maximum levels – when the engine is cold, the level should be between the two marks.
Once the engine has cooled, you should check the coolant level. If it’s too low, you should top it up with a mixture of antifreeze and water according to the instructions for the specific coolant you’re using (or a premixed antifreeze) by pouring it into the reservoir.
You can use clean tap water in a pinch, but never cold water if you don’t have antifreeze on hand – but it should be added as soon as possible.
Overfilling the antifreeze reservoir can damage the entire cooling system.
Many drivers wouldn’t know if their car was overheating before it was too late, risking being stranded in the middle of nowhere – and saving thousands on potential repairs (stock photo)
If topping up the coolant doesn’t get your car to run or it’s full, you’ll have to call salvage to collect you and your car, and the problem can be more serious.
Antifreeze’s effectiveness diminishes over time as it degrades, making your engine less efficient at keeping it cool. Leaving it like this can cause problems that are far more expensive than a bottle of coolant.
Antifreeze needs to be replaced every three to five years – depending on how often you use your car, how old it is and how warm it is where you drive.
If your car keeps overheating despite changing antifreeze again, the cooling system in your car may be leaking, so you should have this checked by a mechanic.
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What should I do if my car overheats?
If your car is overheating, the first thing you should do is stop and let it cool down
If the engine temperature warning light comes on or you see steam coming out of the hood, stop in a safe place as soon as possible
Turn off the car engine and get all the passengers away from the car and the road
Open the hood from the cab if you can, as the hood can be hot
Leave the car for at least 30 minutes
Never Remove the radiator cap or expansion tank cap as this can cause severe vapor burns
After the engine has cooled, check the coolant level gauge near the radiator
If it’s empty or too low, look under the car for leak signs like a puddle
If too low, top up the tank with antifreeze or warm water mixed with coolant (if coolant isn’t handy, warm water can be used, but you should add antifreeze as soon as possible).
If the coolant level is already sufficient or your car is still not working, call roadside assistance
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