[Les Bonsey]

Has anyone had issues with excessive steam from the exhaust when cold . this can last for 20ish miles.
It will also do the same if the car has been left fir 1/2 a hour, I will then get steam / smoke on acceleration.

 

[Adambvg]

Having these symptoms as well.

 

[Jack Daniels]

diesel or petrol?
Is this the type of clear steam that you often see from other cars, more or less the same as a kettle produces?
If so then it is likely to be nothing to worry about.
condensation/water ends up in the exhaust and it will come out as steam anytime it warms up.
If your car is parked in a heated garage while it is still hot, then this probably wont occur otherwise its common in cold weather, more so with many short trips/ less long trips.

There is a few things to check though just to be sure nothing is amiss:

• with the motor cold, check the fluid level in the radiator, is it full and clean looking
• check the coolant fluid level in the reservior, are there any gains or losses in level, does it look clean?
• check the motor oil level, is it normal, and unchanged from previous checks?

 

[Tommo21]

Have had this from new.

Leaves a vapour trail as if you were providing a smokescreen to convoy.

I put it down to the AdBlue being vapourized, but never really worried about it after reading from other Optima 2018+ owners (on this forum) that they had the same experience.

 

[Turnup]

If your coolant and oil levels are not reducing then it is condensation and nothing to worry about.