Can You Drive Without Water in the Auxiliary Tank?
3 Answers
The auxiliary tank being empty means you cannot drive. The auxiliary tank is a component of the engine cooling system and plays a role in balancing the pressure of the radiator. The maintenance methods for the auxiliary tank include: 1. Stop and check if the temperature is found to be too high while driving; 2. Immediately stop and inspect if the car's radiator is smoking; 3. Regularly replace the coolant. The reasons for the auxiliary tank running low on water are: 1. There is a leak in the cooling system or a slight issue with the cylinder head gasket; 2. The coolant temperature is too high, causing the system to lack water; 3. The water pump seizes, leading to timing belt damage and causing the piston to hit the valve; 4. The cylinder gasket is compromised, mixing with engine oil or being expelled through the exhaust pipe.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and experience has taught me that you should never push on when the overflow tank is empty. Once, I encountered a similar situation where I ignored the empty overflow tank, and after driving about ten kilometers, the temperature gauge skyrocketed, the engine overheated with strange noises, and I ended up stranded on the roadside waiting for a tow truck. The repair cost me over 8,000 yuan! The overflow tank is part of the cooling system, and if it's empty, the main radiator might also be low on water, leading to insufficient cooling. At best, it can damage parts; at worst, it can ruin the engine. Now, whenever I notice the overflow tank level is low, I stop to check, pop the hood to inspect the main radiator level, and can temporarily top it up with water or coolant in an emergency, but I make sure to visit a professional repair shop as soon as possible to check for leaks. I've made it a habit to glance at the water level every couple of days to keep it normal and avoid small issues turning into big problems.
As a young car owner, I recently realized how dangerous it can be when the auxiliary tank runs out of water. The auxiliary tank is that transparent container next to the engine. If it's completely empty, it means the coolant level might be insufficient, and the cooling system can't dissipate heat from the engine. A rapid rise in water temperature can damage internal components or even cause engine seizure. My experience taught me to stop the car immediately, wait for the engine to cool down, then check the main radiator's water level. If it's too low, use bottled water or dedicated coolant to top it up as an emergency measure, but never continue driving long distances. Last time, my friend ignored this and drove for ten minutes until the temperature warning light came on, nearly causing engine failure. Now, I set a monthly reminder on my phone to check the coolant level to ensure safe driving.
