In the event of an overheating engine, what is crucial to avoid doing?

When an engine overheats, it is crucial to avoid opening the radiator cap while the engine is hot. This is because the coolant inside the radiator is under high pressure and extremely hot. Opening the radiator cap can cause hot coolant to spray out, leading to serious burns or injuries. Additionally, the sudden release of pressure can result in damage to the radiator system itself.

Safe practices recommend allowing the engine to cool down before attempting to check the coolant level or perform any maintenance on the cooling system. This helps prevent accidents and ensures that any necessary repairs or inspections can be conducted safely.

Maintaining awareness of coolant levels and engine temperature is important, but doing so should always be done with caution and when the vehicle is in a safe state for inspection.