Dangers of Running a Car without the Engine Coolant
You can already guess about today’s blog post from the title. Although engine coolant might not seem like that big of a deal, it is actually one of the most vital fluids in the car. Let us discuss its purpose first as it will help you understand its importance. Pay close attention as it will help you avoid costly repairs and replacements.
Purpose of the Engine Coolant
The engine coolant’s purpose is to keep the engine running at the recommended temperature. How? It keeps circulating through the engine and the radiator to prevent overheating and other problems. It removes the excess heat from the engine through the radiator. Apart from preventing the car from overheating, it has another purpose. Can you guess it? In countries where the temperature drops considerably during the winters, the water in the cooling system may freeze. The coolant contains antifreeze, meaning that it does not allow the water to freeze. In short, coolant keeps things cool when the outside temperature is too high and keeps things hot in the winters.
How to Detect Low Engine Coolant
There are several ways to know if your car is running low on engine coolant.
Dashboard Warning Lights
If there is something wrong in the car, the warning lights in the dashboard will come on. Instead of ignoring them, try to find the problem. If the light is red, immediately take the car for a comprehensive check-up. The ‘Check Engine light indicates several things, and one of them is that the coolant is low. If it turns on, park the car in a safe area and turn it off. Top of the coolant after letting the car cool down for a while.
High Temperature
If the car’s temperature is higher than usual, it means that the coolant is low. Therefore, while driving, always keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Modern cars have built-in warning systems that alert the driver if the temperature increases.
Steam from Under the Hood
If you see steam coming from under the hood, it means that the engine is overheating. Park the car away from traffic and turn it off. Let it cool down for a while before opening the hood. 10 times out of 10, the culprit is a low coolant level.
Engine Auto Cut Off
Modern vehicles automatically cut power to the engine when the temperature starts increasing beyond the optimal level. You cannot turn on the vehicle unless the temperature reduces.
Dangers of Running a Car Without Engine Coolant
If you are driving around with little to no engine coolant whatsoever, you run the risk of causing expensive damage to your engine. In some instances, the engine cannot be repaired and requires a complete replacement. Please keep in mind that the engine is the most expensive component in any automobile. If you own an older car, the cost of replacing the engine might be more than the car’s value itself. Overheating may result in the vehicle catching fire. If that happens, the car may be completely gutted. In other words, there will be nothing left to repair.
Final Thoughts – Don’t Take the Risk
We request all car owners to check the engine coolant right away and avoid taking unnecessary risks. If the coolant is low, top it off right away as it will prevent costly damage to the car. PitStopArabia advises car owners to check the coolant level every week and keep a spare coolant bottle in the trunk.