2020 INFINITI Towing Guide
19
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
A moderate increase in engine operating temperature is normal when towing a trailer.
If, however, the coolant temperature gauge reading is abnormally high, or if you are
experiencing a significant loss of power, or if you hea r unusual engine noises,* the
engine may be overheating and you should immediately take the following steps:
1. Pull your vehicle safely over to the side of the road, out of t raffic. Apply the
parking brake and move the gearshift lever to NEUTRAL (manual) or PARK
(automatic). DO NOT STOP THE ENGINE.
2. Turn off the air conditioning and, after opening all the windows, turn the heater
on to maximum hot and the fan to its highest speed , and exit the vehicle. The
heater core in your vehicle is just like a miniature engine radiator and will provide
an extra cooling surface to help reduce engine temperature.
*See your vehicle owner’s manual for additional indications that your vehicle may be
overheating.
3. If the temperature does not d rop or continues to increase, stop t he engine
immediately.
4. Being cautious of traffic, step out of the vehicle and, from a safe distance, look
for steam underneath the engine. If you see steam or leaking coolant, sta nd
clear to avoid being burned and s hut off your engine immediately and allow it to
cool. If there is no steam, open the hood.
WARNING - Never remove the radiator cap when the radiator is hot. If the cap is
removed under these conditions, pressurized hot wate r/coolant may spurt out,
possibly causing seriou s injury.
5. As soon as the engine has cooled to its normal operating temperature, visually
inspect the drive belts for damage or looseness. A loose belt reduces water
pump efficiency.
WARNING - Be careful to keep your h ands, hair, jewelry, and clothing clear of the
running drive belt and other moving parts when inspecting the engine and radiator.
Also check to see if the cooling fan is running, and inspect the water pump, radiator,
and radiator hoses for leaks. Keep in m ind, too, that if your vehicle is equipped with
an electric fan motor, it may start without warning any time the coolant temperature
is high. If you find leaking coolant, a loose or missing drive belt, or an inoperable fan,
turn off the engine immediate ly.
