Can You Drive with a Coolant Leak?
2 Answers
If the coolant is only leaking slightly, you can continue driving. Some older vehicle models may experience minor coolant leakage due to aging and cracked radiator seals, allowing the car to remain roadworthy. However, it is essential to monitor the engine temperature gauge. If the temperature rises excessively, stop the vehicle immediately for inspection, and promptly check and replace any damaged components while replenishing the coolant. Coolant Replacement Method: Drain the old coolant and flush the fluid channels with clean water. Add water to the coolant reservoir, then continuously pour water into the reservoir to allow it to circulate through the engine cooling system. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to facilitate water circulation. Initially, the water draining from the reservoir may appear slightly pinkish. Continue adding clean water until the drained water runs clear. Remember to disconnect the heater hose to drain any remaining water from the heater core. After approximately 1 hour of draining, add new coolant through the radiator hose to ensure rapid flow into the radiator. Next, fill the coolant reservoir with another batch of coolant until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. As air is purged from the cooling system, the coolant level will drop slightly. Top up the coolant to the "MAX" mark on the reservoir. Function of Coolant: Coolant is a specially formulated fluid used primarily in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It offers excellent properties such as freeze protection in winter, boil-over prevention in summer, and year-round resistance to scale and corrosion. The full name of coolant should be "antifreeze coolant," indicating its dual function as both an antifreeze and a cooling agent. Coolant prevents the freezing of the cooling liquid during cold winter stops, which could otherwise cause radiator cracks or damage to the engine block or cylinder head.
If you find that the coolant is leaking, never drive the car—I’ve emphasized this multiple times. Coolant primarily functions to cool the engine and prevent it from overheating. Once it’s insufficient, the engine temperature can skyrocket, potentially causing cylinder head deformation or even an explosion—the risk is too high. I remember once when my car had a minor leak, and I thought I could drive it to a nearby repair shop. Halfway there, the temperature gauge maxed out, nearly resulting in a tow and thousands in repair costs. My advice: stop the car immediately, turn off the engine, and check for the leak: pop the hood to see if there’s pink or green fluid seeping from the radiator or hoses. If necessary, add a small amount of distilled water as an emergency measure—never use tap water, as it can corrode the system. After temporarily adding water, only drive slowly for short distances, keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge. Stop at the slightest sign of abnormality. Coolant leaks can also occur due to aging hoses or loose connections, so make sure to regularly check the fluid level and color during routine maintenance to prevent such incidents.
