According to expert advice, it is never a good idea to drive a vehicle without coolant, especially in Dubai and the UAE, where temperatures can reach extremely high levels.
It is well known that car engines generate a significant amount of heat while in operation. The engine parts could heat up very quickly and suffer serious damage if there is no cooling system. That is why engines use coolant as a special fluid that helps prevent overheating from occurring.
What will happen if the coolant in your car is not enough? Can you continue to drive the vehicle safely? If these questions came to mind, you are not alone, and we have the accurate answer for you.
What does an Engine Coolant Do?
Your car requires engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, for proper operation. Proper oil does a lot, including making sure the engine runs at its peak and does not get damaged by:
- Keeping the Engine Cool: The coolant absorbs heat from the engine and then transfers it to the radiator, stopping the engine from overheating.
- Protecting Against Cold: Because it does not freeze easily, its components are secured from damage by chilly weather.
- Higher Boiling Point: This protects the fluid from boiling, which maintains the lower temperature and allows for cooling in very warm weather.
- Inhibiting Corrosion: Additives prevent the rusting and corroding of components in the cooling system by inhibiting these processes.
- Multiple Use: In addition to cooling, some coolants can also lubricate parts, such as the water pump.
Essentially, coolant ensures that your engine does not suffer from sudden temperature changes, which saves you from expensive repairs.
What’s Inside Your Engine Coolant?
Antifreeze combined with water forms the unique liquid used in vehicle engine coolants. Although antifreeze can be sourced separately from the coolant, it is mandatory to combine it with water beforehand. It’s essential to leave this task to a reliable mechanic, as they are familiar with the correct ratios.
The smartest move is to opt for a pre-mixed car coolant that combines both antifreeze and water. Besides, most vehicle coolants have additives to help avoid corrosion and rust formation in the engine.
Signs of Low Coolant & Their Consequences on Driving
If the coolant is low in your vehicle, the automatic system that keeps your car’s engine cool is not performing correctly. As a result, you might face various kinds of problems, starting from the first signals and ending with major engine damage that cannot be fixed.
Initial Symptoms & Warning Signs
- Rising Temperature Gauge: Increasing levels of temperature are usually one of the earliest indications. The temperature gauge might climb past its normal reading, moving into the “H” (Hot) section.
- Dashboard Warning Light: Many new cars are equipped with a thermometer symbol featuring wavy lines, indicating that the warning light for coolant has activated.
- Sweet Smell: Sometimes, a leaking coolant system releases a sweet, syrupy smell because ethylene glycol, found in coolant, is burning in the engine.
- Steam from Under the Hood: Steam coming out from under the hood clearly shows that something is very overheated.
- Heater Malfunction: Sometimes, insufficient cabin heat can be attributed to a low coolant level, as the heating system draws heat from the engine.
- Visible Leaks: Your car could be surrounded by pools of fluids that are usually green, orange, pink, blue, or yellow.
- Poor Fuel Economy: An engine that becomes too hot tends to run with less efficiency and use up more fuel.
Consequences of Driving with Low Coolant
When you run out of or have low coolant, you drive a car at great risk and may face high repair costs.
- Engine Overheating: Overheating of the engine is the most urgent and serious trouble you can face on the road. Insufficient coolant will quickly raise the engine’s temperature too high.
- Damaged Engine Components: Very hot temperatures can make metal parts inside the engine twist, split, or even disappear. This includes:
- Blown Head Gasket: It is a common repair that is also very costly. Oil and coolant may mix, and combustion gases may escape when the head gasket fails due to overheating.
- Cracked Engine Block or Cylinder Head: A broken engine block or cylinder head usually leads to the engine being replaced.
- Warped Pistons and Cylinders: High heat makes pistons and cylinders bend, which means less compression and the risk of engine seizure.
- Water Pump Failure: Water pump failure can result when a lack of coolant makes the pump’s lubrication insufficient, which only adds to the issue.
- Engine Seizure: In the worst cases, the engine parts can fuse together from the intense heat, causing the engine to seize completely.
- Automatic Engine Shut-off: When overheating is detected, some current cars have an automatic switch that immediately shuts off the engine to prevent significant damage. Even though the car’s engine is protected, this can be very risky if it occurs on a highway.
What Should You Do When Your Coolant Is Lower Than Normal? Safety Precaution
Whenever your car lacks coolant or has almost no coolant, and the temperature indicator moves quickly or you can see steam, you must stop your vehicle immediately and not drive it further.
- Pull Over Immediately: Find a safe place to pull over and turn off the engine. Do NOT attempt to drive slowly to a repair shop or your residence. Even a minimal distance can cause irreparable harm
- Do NOT Open the Radiator Cap: The system will be under extreme pressure and filled with superheated fluid. Opening it can cause severe burns.
- Call for Assistance: Your best course of action is to call for roadside assistance or a tow truck to get your vehicle to a qualified mechanic.
What Happens if You Drive Your Car with No Coolant?
Not adding coolant to your vehicle is one of the most harmful actions you can take to your engine. Damage will undoubtedly occur, and the main questions are when it will happen and how severe it will be. Here’s an explanation of what occurs:
1. Rapid Overheating
Without coolant, the high heat coming from the engine’s combustion can’t be managed. In less than 10 minutes after starting the car, the engine temperature may climb to its maximum level.
2. Catastrophic Engine Damage
When an engine overheats, its metal components grow bigger and become misshapen. Many very costly and hard-to-reverse damages can happen as a result:
Blown Head Gasket
This is one of the problems that occurs more frequently and is much more costly. The head gasket separates the chambers where the fuel burns, preventing any mixing of coolant and oil.
When temperatures reach extremely high levels, it can warp or crack, resulting in leaks of the coolant, oil entering the air, white fumes from the exhaust, and a decline in engine compression.
Warped or Cracked Cylinder Head or Engine Block
Cylinder head and engine block parts are vital and expensive components of a car. Warped or cracked cylinders may result from intense heat, typically requiring the replacement of the entire engine.
Melted Pistons or Seized Engine
At excessively high temperatures, the pistons may cling to the cylinder walls, leading to complete engine failure. There’s nothing you can do in this situation.
Other Components Being Affected
The hoses may burst, the water pump may break because it is not lubricated, and important plastic or rubber parts in the engine compartment can melt or crack.
3. Engine Seizure
When you do not have any coolant in the car, the engine may overheat and its components may lock up, which will result in the engine suddenly seizing up. At this moment, fixing the engine is most likely not worth its cost.
4. Safety Hazards
It’s important to know that an overheated engine can become dangerous. Smoke or steam leaving the engine might cause tempers to rise because it can hinder what you can see under the hood. In parts of a car that get very hot, fluids may still leak and lead to fire under rare conditions.
How Often Should You Check & Replace Car Coolant?
It’s a good idea to inspect your vehicle’s coolant level every 3 to 6 months, or before embarking on any long journeys. For replacing coolant (draining and refilling the system), refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, which typically recommends changing it every 2 to 5 years or every 30,000 to 150,000 kilometres, depending on the type of coolant.
Conclusion
Never drive without coolant. Even short distances cause severe engine damage. Seek professional assistance right away to prevent expensive repairs and ensure the well-being of your engine. ARMotors in Dubai offers quality services for luxury and sports cars, ensuring your vehicle’s optimal performance and longevity. Regular coolant checks and replacements are essential for maintaining engine health, particularly in the UAE’s extreme temperatures.
