Can You Still Drive with Coolant Warning Light On?
2 Answers
You cannot drive with the coolant warning light on. When the coolant warning light illuminates, you should immediately pull over to a safe location, turn off the engine as soon as possible, and wait for the engine to cool down before opening the hood to inspect. Regardless of the reason for the coolant warning light coming on, it indicates that the engine temperature is too high. If the engine is not properly cooled for an extended period, it can cause internal damage. Coolant is an essential part of a car's engine, circulating through the engine cooling system to carry away excess heat generated during operation, allowing the engine to run at normal operating temperature. When the coolant level is insufficient, it will cause the engine water temperature to rise too high, leading to damage to engine components.
I saw the coolant warning light come on and you absolutely must not keep driving. This warning is usually a sign of a problem with the cooling system, such as the fluid level being too low or a leak, or it could be a false alarm from a faulty temperature sensor. If you continue driving, the engine temperature will skyrocket and overheat, which can easily cause cylinder head deformation or cylinder scoring. The repair costs could run into thousands, which isn’t worth the risk. I’ve experienced this myself—when the warning sounded, I pulled over immediately and checked the coolant reservoir. Sure enough, it was almost dry. I added some water to barely make it to the repair shop. Remember, don’t take the risk—safety first. After stopping, wait for the engine to cool before checking the fluid level. Use distilled water as an emergency measure, and contact a professional for repairs as soon as possible.
