Minnesota Permit Practice Test

When the temperature of your engine is too high, turning on the heat is a recommended action because it helps to draw heat away from the engine. This process works by utilizing the heater core as a secondary radiator, allowing some of the excess heat to be dissipated into the passenger cabin instead of remaining in the engine compartment. This can help prevent overheating and potential engine damage.

Driving faster to cool the engine, pouring water over the engine, or turning off the engine immediately could lead to more serious problems. Driving faster may not provide a significant benefit and could even worsen the overheating if the cooling system is already compromised. Pouring water over the engine can cause thermal shock, potentially damaging engine components, and turning off the engine might lead to a complete engine failure if the issue isn’t addressed quickly. Thus, turning on the heat is the most practical and immediate measure to help manage an overheating engine.