Can You Still Drive When the Car Coolant Warning Light Comes On?
3 Answers
When the car coolant warning light comes on, you should not drive as it indicates a lack of coolant or a malfunction in the cooling system. The solutions for a coolant warning light are: 1. Refill the coolant; 2. Pull over and wait for assistance before taking the car to a professional repair shop for inspection and repair. The correct method for adding coolant is: 1. Open the filler cap, unscrew the drain switches on the engine block and radiator to release the coolant; 2. Tighten the drain switches on the engine block and radiator; 3. Fill the radiator with coolant through the filler cap until the coolant level in the reservoir reaches the FULL mark.
Never ignore the coolant warning light and keep driving. I once encountered this situation on the highway, and within just three kilometers, the temperature gauge on the dashboard maxed out, with white smoke coming from the engine hood. I immediately pulled over and found the coolant was nearly empty. Continuing to drive could have caused engine block deformation, leading to repair costs in the tens of thousands. A warning light usually indicates insufficient coolant or a circulation system issue—you must pull over and turn off the engine immediately. You can check the auxiliary tank's level marks under the hood; if it's below the minimum, never add water, as mixing different-colored coolants can cause crystallization and clog the pipes. It's best to call a tow truck and have a repair shop inspect the water pump, hoses, or radiator for leaks.
That warning light is no joke. Back when I was a novice driver, I ignorantly kept driving for over 20 minutes with the alarm on, only to have the engine seize up midway, requiring major repairs. I've learned my lesson now - this light indicates cooling system abnormalities, either low fluid levels or circulation failure. You could try opening windows for ventilation and cranking up the heater to maximum (this helps dissipate some engine heat), but don't push beyond 3-5 kilometers to find a safe parking spot. Remember, never turn on the AC cooling as it increases engine load. The truly safe approach is to immediately pull over, shut off the engine, and wait for it to cool before checking the expansion tank fluid level. If you're unsure about refilling it yourself, just call for roadside assistance right away.
