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If your engine overheats – Acura 2002 RL - Owner's Manual User Manual

Page 296

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If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine.

If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.

Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the climate control and all
other accessories. Turn on the
hazard warning indicators.

The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.

Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming from under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.

1.

2.

3.

CONTINUED

If Your Engine Overheats

Taking Care of the Unexpected

293

Steam and spray from an

overheated engine can

seriously scald you.

Do not open the hood if steam

is coming out.

Driving with the temperature gauge

pointer at the red mark can cause

serious damage to your engine.

01/09/28 20:13:13 31SZ3660_296

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