How to check and top up your car’s coolant
You shouldn’t drive with a low level of engine coolant; it keeps your engine from overheating in hot weather and freezing up in sub-zero temperatures. But for it to keep safeguarding components and performance, there needs to be enough of it in the cooling system.
Why is my car's coolant level low?
Leaks in the cooling system
If your car’s coolant level is dropping, it is almost always due to leaks in the cooling system – the hoses, radiator or radiator cap, for example. Symptoms of this can be a rising temperature gauge, a sweet odour (the smell of antifreeze), problems with your car’s heater or increased fuel consumption.
Simply topping up your coolant should never be used as a stop-gap remedy to leaks, so if your coolant level drops, always visit a mechanic to get it repaired.
Insufficient coolant top-up
Sometimes, coolant levels can be low due to too little coolant being put into the reservoir. In this case, you should top up your coolant as soon as possible to avoid engine damage.
