United Tire and Service News

One question that you might have is whether or not you can drive your car if it is low on coolant. Technically speaking, you can, as long as the coolant level is still above the minimum level but do not try to drive your car if it has less than the minimum amount. You should do your best to make sure that your car has at least an adequate level of coolant in it at all times. 

What Causes Coolant Loss?

There are two main causes of coolant loss in cars. The first main cause is a leak in your car's cooling system. If you notice that the coolant level in your car is decreasing, a leak is the most likely cause. Some symptoms of your car having a cooling system leak are the sweet odor of antifreeze, an increasing temperature gauge, and issues with your vehicle's heater. Increased fuel consumption can be another sign of a cooling system leak in your car. 

The other main cause of coolant loss in cars is if you do not top off your car's coolant properly. Your car's coolant levels could be low because there is not enough coolant going into the reservoir. If so, you should get your car's coolant topped off properly to ensure that your car's engine does not become damaged. 

Related: Why Is My Car Leaking?

How Low Coolant Affects Your Car

Low coolant affects your car in two important ways. The first way it affects your car is that it means that your engine is more prone to overheating when you are driving in hot weather. As a result, you might find it difficult to drive in hot weather if your car is low on engine coolant. 

Additionally, engine coolant ensures that your engine does not freeze up if you are driving in sub-zero temperatures. If your engine is low on coolant, it is more likely to freeze up in these conditions. This is a major reason why driving your car if it has low coolant is a bad idea. Low coolant also makes your engine lose acceleration and burn fuel faster. 

Signs of Low Coolant

It is usually pretty easy to tell if your car is low on engine coolant. Some signs of this include poor fuel economy, the high-temperature gauge getting close to the red, and the heater constantly blowing hot air into your vehicle. Additionally, you may notice a sweet smell if your car is low on engine coolant. This sweet smell is the odor of the engine coolant and you should take action if you clearly smell the engine coolant leaking out of the coolant system. 

Poor fuel economy is a clear sign of low coolant. If your vehicle is consuming fuel faster than normal, it could be a sign that your car is low on engine coolant. Additionally, if you notice that your vehicle is losing acceleration, this could be a sign that your car is low on engine coolant. With low coolant levels, your car's engine does not operate properly and burns fuel faster while also losing acceleration. 

Conclusion

It is technically possible to drive your car with low coolant levels, but do not attempt to drive your car if it has less than the minimum coolant level. The two main causes of low coolant are a leak in your car's coolant system and failing to top off your car's coolant levels properly. Low coolant makes it harder to drive in hot weather and sub-zero temperatures. Low coolant also causes your engine to burn fuel more quickly. 

You will notice symptoms such as poor fuel economy, a loss of acceleration, and the car's high-temperature gauge getting close to the red if your car is low on coolant. All of these signs mean that you should put more coolant into your car. Driving your car when it is low on coolant is a bad idea and should not be done if possible. 

Get Your Car's Coolant Refilled at a United Tire Location

If you live in the greater Philadelphia area and you need assistance with your vehicle's cooling system, be sure to visit your local United Tire. We are locally-owned and have been servicing our communities for decades. Call your nearest United Tire location or schedule an appointment online today.