What does the maintenance reminder system mean by 'Please add coolant'?
2 Answers
The car system prompts to add coolant, indicating that the coolant level is insufficient and needs to be replenished promptly. Below is more information about coolant: 1. Product Performance: Coolant consists of three parts: water, antifreeze, and additives. Depending on the antifreeze component, it can be classified into alcohol-based, glycerol-based, ethylene glycol-based, and other types of coolant. 2. Alcohol-based Coolant: Uses ethanol (commonly known as alcohol) as the antifreeze. It has good fluidity and simple preparation process, but its boiling point is relatively low, it is prone to evaporation loss, the freezing point is easily increased, and it is flammable. It has gradually been phased out. 3. Glycerol-based Coolant: The liquid has a high boiling point, low volatility, is not easy to ignite, non-toxic, and has low corrosiveness, but its effect on lowering the freezing point is poor. Only a few Nordic countries still use it.
A few days ago, my car also displayed this alert—the maintenance system indicated to add coolant. Simply put, the coolant level in the car was low and needed timely replenishment. Coolant acts like the radiator's guardian, helping the engine cool down and prevent freezing. Without it, engine overheating can cause major damage, leading to costly repairs. Over time, natural consumption or minor leaks during regular driving can trigger this warning. From my experience, it's best to park and wait for the engine to cool, then open the hood to check the overflow tank and see if the level is below 'Min.' If low, purchase a reputable brand of coolant and top it up according to the manual's specified color (avoid mixing wrong types). After refilling, drive for a while and then reset the system alert. Making it a habit to visually check the coolant level monthly can help avoid sudden issues.
