What is what to do when coolant light comes on?

Here's what to do when your coolant light comes on:

The coolant light indicates a problem with your vehicle's cooling system. Ignoring it can lead to serious engine damage. Here's a breakdown of steps:

1. Pull Over Safely: As soon as you notice the light, find a safe place to pull over and stop. Continuing to drive with low coolant can cause your engine to overheat.

2. Let the Engine Cool Down: Never open the coolant reservoir cap when the engine is hot. Wait at least 15-30 minutes to allow the engine to cool down sufficiently. Opening it while hot can result in severe burns from pressurized, boiling coolant.

3. Check the Coolant Level: Once the engine is cool, carefully open the coolant reservoir cap. Check the coolant level. The level should be between the "min" and "max" lines. If it's significantly below the "min" line, it indicates a leak or consumption issue. Check also <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/coolant%20leaks">coolant leaks</a>.

4. Add Coolant (If Available): If the coolant level is low and you have the correct type of coolant available (check your owner's manual for the correct specification), carefully add coolant to bring the level up to the "max" line. If you don't have the correct coolant, you can temporarily add distilled water to get you to a safe location, but remember to have the system properly flushed and filled with the correct coolant as soon as possible.

5. Check for Leaks: After adding coolant, visually inspect the cooling system for leaks. Look around the radiator, hoses, water pump, and engine block for any signs of coolant dripping or pooling. Look for <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/radiator%20leaks">radiator leaks</a>, <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/hose%20leaks">hose leaks</a> and <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/water%20pump%20leaks">water pump leaks</a>.

6. Monitor the Temperature Gauge: After adding coolant and checking for leaks, restart the engine and monitor the temperature gauge. If the temperature gauge quickly rises towards the "hot" zone, or the coolant light comes back on soon after, stop driving and call for roadside assistance.

7. Seek Professional Help: Even if you can temporarily resolve the issue by adding coolant, it's crucial to have your cooling system inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. A persistent coolant loss usually indicates an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. You may have <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/cylinder%20head%20gasket%20leaks">cylinder head gasket leaks</a> or <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/coolant%20system%20problems">coolant system problems</a>. Continuing to drive with a leaking coolant system can lead to severe engine damage.

Important Considerations:

• Coolant Type: Using the wrong type of coolant can damage your cooling system. Always refer to your owner's manual for the correct specification.
• Overheating: If your engine overheats, pull over immediately and let it cool down completely before attempting to add coolant. Overheating can cause severe engine damage. <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/engine%20overheating">Engine overheating</a> is a serious problem.
• Emergency Situations: If you are in a remote location or experiencing severe overheating, it is best to call for professional help rather than attempting to fix the problem yourself.