What is the reason for the flashing red R light in Sinotruk?
3 Answers
This red R is a water level warning light, indicating an alarm for low water level in the expansion tank. Simply add some coolant to resolve the issue. The main functions of coolant are: during cold winter parking, it prevents the cooling liquid from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head, while in high summer temperatures, it effectively prevents boiling, avoiding overheating. The specific functions of coolant are introduced below: 1. Multiple functions: Used in cooling systems of automobiles, train diesel locomotives, tractors, ships, engines, radiators, and various mechanical equipment, diesel and gasoline engines, etc., it has multiple functions such as antifreeze, anti-boil, anti-corrosion, and anti-scale. 2. Descaling: Made with distilled water and added with anti-scale additives, it not only prevents scale but also has descaling capabilities.
I've been driving heavy trucks for several years and have encountered the red R light flashing on several occasions. This usually indicates an issue with the exhaust brake system, such as a sensor malfunction or the regeneration system requiring maintenance. Once, when the light flashed on the highway, I immediately slowed down and pulled over to check, finding that it might be due to loose wiring or a hydraulic brake problem, which weakened the deceleration effect. Ignoring it is dangerous because it can affect power output and potentially lead to a breakdown. I've tried restarting the engine to see if it would reset, but the results were inconsistent. Later, I went to the shop and replaced the sensor, which fixed the issue. Now, I make it a habit to check the dashboard every time before starting the truck, as developing this routine can help avoid trouble. The safest approach when encountering this situation is to stop in a safe location, not push through, and directly seek a professional technician for diagnosis—after all, safety comes first.
If the red R light is flashing, I suspect there might be an issue with the exhaust brake or deceleration system. You can perform some simple checks yourself: see if the brake lights are working, try turning the vehicle off and restarting it—sometimes a temporary reset will fix it. If that doesn't work, check the fuses or loose connections, as sensor failures are common in heavy vehicles. Once, when helping a neighbor, I found that a relay had aged, and replacing it solved the problem. However, don't linger too long on the highway—it's too risky. It's important to pull over and seek help promptly. For prevention, regular maintenance of the braking system is very helpful, such as checking fluid levels every three months.
