What to Do When Engine Coolant Is Insufficient?
3 Answers
Add coolant. Below is a detailed introduction on how to add coolant: 1. Reasons for insufficient coolant: Low coolant level is caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the coolant. If the outside temperature is low enough, the contraction will be more severe, causing the level to drop below the standard minimum line and trigger a dashboard warning. Thermal expansion and contraction of coolant is a very common phenomenon and occurs in almost all vehicles. 2. Precautions: Do not mix different coolants. Different types of antifreeze should not be mixed. This is mainly because most coolants on the market are ethylene glycol-based. Even if they are from the same manufacturer, non-ethylene glycol-based coolants should not be mixed. If you need to replace the coolant, it is best to flush the system clean before adding new coolant.
Last year while driving on the highway, the dashboard coolant temperature warning light suddenly came on. I pulled over to check and found the coolant reservoir was nearly empty. After the engine completely cooled down, I opened the cap and added the appropriate coolant—remember to use ethylene glycol-based coolant and avoid other fluids to prevent engine corrosion. Later I discovered it was caused by aging hose leakage. Regularly checking fluid levels and gaskets monthly can prevent such risks. High summer temperatures accelerate evaporation, so I always keep a spare bottle of coolant in my car and check before long trips—saving repair costs while ensuring safety.
That day when I was dropping my kid off at school, white smoke coming from the hood really scared me! I immediately turned off the engine and parked, waited half an hour for it to cool down before checking - sure enough, the coolant was low. Never open the hood when the engine's hot to avoid burns. I added a bottle of genuine coolant I bought from the shop, making sure the colors matched to prevent chemical reactions. Had a mechanic check it and found a small crack in the radiator - got it replaced for peace of mind. Always keep an eye on dashboard warning lights when driving, and address any abnormalities immediately without delay.
