What should you do if the temperature gauge moves to the red zone?

When the temperature gauge moves to the red zone, it indicates that the engine is overheating, which can cause serious damage if not addressed immediately. Pulling over and turning off the engine is the appropriate action to take in this scenario. This step helps prevent further overheating and potential engine failure. It allows the engine to cool down safely and provides an opportunity to investigate the cause of the overheating, such as coolant leaks or low coolant levels, which could lead to more significant issues if left unchecked.

Continuing to drive or ignoring the warning can lead to severe engine damage, while increasing your speed might exacerbate the problem rather than remedy it. Checking the oil level, while important for general engine maintenance, does not directly address the overheating issue indicated by the temperature gauge. Therefore, stopping the car and turning off the engine is the safest and most effective option in this situation.