What happens if you ignore the coolant warning light?
If you continue to drive, ignoring the warning light, you are submitting your engine to temperatures that could cause permanent damage, resulting in expensive repairs. It is far more sensible to stop your car and let the engine cool down.
Can a coolant leak cause blue smoke under the hood?
A coolant leak often causes white smoke. Oil in the combustion chambers often causes blue smoke. Only the last two problems indicate serious trouble under the hood. Before you decide on expensive repairs or to send your car to the junkyard, you need to make a preliminary diagnosis.
How can you tell if your car has a coolant problem?
Assess damage to your coolant hoses. Look at the hoses traveling from the radiator and to the engine, then follow them along for as far as you can. If any of the hoses are kinked, that will cause the coolant system to fail to function properly.
What should I do if my coolant level is low?
Once the engine has cooled, check the overall fluid level of the coolant. If the level is low, you can add just water temporarily so that you can drive somewhere to get the car checked out. Keep in mind that a low coolant level means a leak is present which needs to be remedied at the earliest.
If you continue to drive, ignoring the warning light, you are submitting your engine to temperatures that could cause permanent damage, resulting in expensive repairs. It is far more sensible to stop your car and let the engine cool down.
What should I do if I have white smoke coming from my engine?
The cooling system flows from the radiator to the engine block. Start by checking the coolant level in the radiator. Do not attempt to open the radiator cap while the engine is still hot. When the engine has cooled, check the coolant tank and radiator hose lines for signs of leaks.
When does the low coolant level light come on?
When you start the engine, the low coolant level light should come on for a second or two and then go out. If it doesn’t go out, either the coolant level is too low or there is a problem with the sensor system. `. The light usually shows either a thermometer or a box, often with wavy lines to indicate liquid.
What do the coolant levels on my car mean?
It will have levels marked “Min” and “Max,” or “Low” and “Full,” that indicate the actual coolant level when the vehicle’s engine is cold. Your owner’s manual has the correct information for your vehicle.