Low Coolant Warning

[ay8306]

I got a low coolant warning when I started up this morning. Assuming that I do need to add coolant (I did not have time to check, so I took my other car into work today), are there any special requirements as to what type? Can anyone recomend a brand compatible with the OEM coolant?

I'm under waranty still, so I can bring it to the stealer, but I'd rather not take the time right now.

 

[konas]

The most important is to find out why it needs cooland to be added. If there is a leak somwhere you better fix asap for your engine's safety.

 

[ay8306]

Agreed. But I want to make certain that the coolant is topped off until I get the car in for service.

 

[pvr]

Just add distilled water in the mean time if it is only slightly low.

 

[ay8306]

Well I just got home from work and checked and the coolant level way down, so it's off to the stealer I have not seen any puddles or other obvious signs of a leak, so naturally I am now concerned about the head gasket.

 

[scottyD]

I lose small amounts from the filler cap over time. There's a pressure-relief valve in there that lets a little out now and then, i think.

I probably need to fill it up from the low end of the maroon fill indicator back up to the high end every other month or so. when was the last time you checked the level?

 

[ay8306]

I turns out that I was down almost a quart of coolant. I topped it off with plain water and brought in to the stealer. They completed a pressure check and said there was no problem. They claimed that the loss was due to normal 'consumption'. Does this sound right to you all?

 

[Smokin]

My 3.0Si needed a top-off late last year as well. Service adviser said it was normal for these engines. My light kind of flickered yellow-would go off as the car warmed up, and he said it was ok to drive it for a couple of days until I could get by there for him to top it off.