You may not be aware of this lesser known symbol on your car dashboard but it could help you prevent serious damage to your engine and costly repairs. An expert has warned drivers not to ignore this symbol and to take care of it right away before you are left stranded in the middle of a busy road. Gabriel Hambleton from car detailing supplier Gold Label Car Care, has shared that the squiggly line symbol is not one to be overlooked. 

Car expert, Gabriel Hambleton, said: "The engine cooling warning light, resembling a thermometer over wavy lines, is one of the least recognised dashboard symbols but crucial for preventing serious engine damage. If it lights up, the engine is overheating and ignoring it could lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.

"A high temperature reading or the gauge spiking into the red means the engine is overheating. If it lights up, it indicates the engine is overheating. Ignoring this warning could leave drivers stranded and facing costly repairs.

"Steam from the hood or a burning smell also indicate overheating, even if the warning light isn’t on, and should be addressed right away."

He said that the main cause for this overheating could be the coolant levels of your vehicle. 

According to the expert, low coolant is the main cause for overheating, so you should make sure you do regular top-ups as antifreeze can degrade over time, and he recommended replacing the antifreeze every three to five years to make sure it continues to protect against corrosion and prevent overheating.

Hambleton said that coolant leaks are also a common cause and this must be fixed before being refilled to stop more damage being caused another.

While water can be used in emergencies to temporarily replace coolant, it doesn't provide the same effect as a proper coolant mix and water alone can cause corrosion, increase the risk of overheating, and freeze in cold temperatures, leading to engine damage.

Make sure you have a look out for thumping or ticking sounds coming from the engine as well as this could mean your car engine is also overheating. 

If your car does overheat, Hambleton advised: "Stay calm, pull over safely, and turn off the engine. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before checking anything.

"If steam or smoke is present, don’t open the radiator cap immediately, as the system is pressurised and can cause burns. Wait until it’s fully cooled before checking coolant levels."