Why did my car go to the red zone last night?

Why did my car go to the red zone last night?

While driving last night, the temperature gauge went to 3/4’s and sometimes stayed in the red zone. Unlike the first time it overheated, there was no smoke coming from the engine. With a new thermostat housing, what could have caused the gauge to go to the red zone? Is it safe to drive the car 15 miles to the dealer?

Why does the temperature gauge rise after I start the car?

If the temperature gauge rises at a normal rate over a period of 2-3 minutes after you start the car, it is highly unlikely that it is a gauge error. Feel the top hose.

Can You Drive in the red zone for 15 miles?

You can not drive “in the red zone” for very long, certainly not 15 miles. More info is always helpful. The dealer replaced the thermostat housing but did they replace the thermostat also? They should have. The car overheated 2 months ago and how long was the car operated while overheating at that time?

When does your car run hot or cold?

If you are like most drivers, our guess would be almost never.  Most drivers look at their temperature gauge so rarely that many vehicle manufacturers don’t even include temperature gauges any more but just lights that will come on if your car is either extremely cold or extremely hot.

While driving last night, the temperature gauge went to 3/4’s and sometimes stayed in the red zone. Unlike the first time it overheated, there was no smoke coming from the engine. With a new thermostat housing, what could have caused the gauge to go to the red zone? Is it safe to drive the car 15 miles to the dealer?

If the temperature gauge rises at a normal rate over a period of 2-3 minutes after you start the car, it is highly unlikely that it is a gauge error. Feel the top hose.

You can not drive “in the red zone” for very long, certainly not 15 miles. More info is always helpful. The dealer replaced the thermostat housing but did they replace the thermostat also? They should have. The car overheated 2 months ago and how long was the car operated while overheating at that time?

When to check the coolant level in the radiator?

When cool, first, I would check the coolant level in the RADIATOR, not just the overflow tank. You can not drive “in the red zone” for very long, certainly not 15 miles. More info is always helpful. The dealer replaced the thermostat housing but did they replace the thermostat also? They should have.