Is it normal for a car engine to be hot?

Yes, it is normal for a car engine to be hot.

The average operating temperature for a car engine is between 195 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. When the engine is running, the combustion process creates heat, which is transferred to the coolant and then to the radiator, where it is dissipated into the air. The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the engine, ensuring that the engine does not overheat.

However, there are some cases where an engine may be overheating.

If the coolant level is low, the engine may not be able to dissipate heat properly and may overheat.
If the thermostat is stuck closed, the coolant will not be able to circulate through the engine and the engine may overheat.
If the radiator is clogged, the heat will not be able to be dissipated into the air and the engine may overheat.
If the water pump is not working properly, the coolant will not be able to circulate through the engine and the engine may overheat.

If you think your car engine may be overheating, there are a few things you can do:

Pull over to a safe place and turn off the engine.
Check the coolant level. If it is low, add coolant and water to the radiator.
Check the thermostat. If it is stuck closed, replace it.
Check the radiator. If it is clogged, clean it.
Check the water pump. If it is not working properly, replace it.

If you are not comfortable performing these checks yourself, you can take your car to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair.

Preventing engine overheating

There are a few things you can do to help prevent your car engine from overheating:

Keep the coolant level topped up.
Have the thermostat checked and replaced if necessary.
Keep the radiator clean.
Have the water pump checked and replaced if necessary.
Avoid driving in hot weather if possible.
Drive at a moderate speed and avoid stop-and-go traffic.
Turn on the air conditioning to help dissipate heat.