Coolant loss, how much is normal?

[nielshm]

I filled up my  washer fluid yesterday, and noticed my coolant was at minimum level.
I'm not sure how often the dealer tops up coolant, maybe it's only every 30.000 km.?? I've just never seen the coolant level so low.

I've just been to Le Mans, a 3.000 km. drive, 95% motorway with 130 km/h, so maybe there's some evaporation?

 

Next service is in 2.000 km., car has now 163.000 km. on the clock. I will keep an eye on the coolant level in the next months, after the next service.

Maybe the dealer forgot to top up coolant the last time, in that case I don't think anything is wrong. But if the coolant was filled to max. level 13.000 km. ago, I'm not sure if I should be worried.

 

[oldcodger]

You should top up the coolant to the Full mark and monitor the level every day or so as you probably have a leak if you have lost that much coolant.

Prime suspects would be a leaking radiator or a failing water pump.

Whatever it is, do not wait "months" before acting upon it  or you may be left standed with an overheat engine when you least want it.

If checking things out wait until the engine is cold, do not mess around under the bonnet while the engine is hot in case something suddenly leaks /sprays  boiling hot water out.

[Obsidian Estate]

Mine hasn't used any between servicing. I assume they're topping it up.

I've had it over 2 years and done about 18k miles.

[TonyHSD]

Maybe the dealer didn’t  top up coolant as part of the service. 
Coolant loss in small amounts is normal for any car especially when used in hot summer days. I do top up around 400-600ml per year or 35-50k miles intervals. Just watch the level regularly and have a look along all components for any possible leaks, including throttle body and egr. 
I always have a pink Toyota ready mixed coolant at home and top up sometimes, in my car the difference between min and max is probably around 150-200ml. 

[yossarian247]

In my experience with various makes and dealers, unless the coolant is actually below the 'Low' mark, many simply do not bother topping it up at all on a service. I find it very annoying, and usually buy the correct coolant and top them up myself. 

[Hadrian1]

I've never had to touch mine

[nielshm]

I pulled the dipstick to check engine oil. 

Color and smell seems normal like always, I don't think coolant is getting in the oil. 

Brake fluid is slightly overfilled, so it seems fluid levels are beeing checked. 

 

[TonyHSD]

52 minutes ago, nielshm said:

I pulled the dipstick to check engine oil. 

Color and smell seems normal like always, I don't think coolant is getting in the oil. 

Brake fluid is slightly overfilled, so it seems fluid levels are beeing checked. 

 

And engine oil seems overfilled too. 
 

[nielshm]

1 hour ago, TonyHSD said:

And engine oil seems overfilled too. 
 

It's allways like that. Seems like 0.25 l. extra. I trust they use their experience, and knows what they are doing. 

[bbart79]

On 6/29/2024 at 9:21 PM, nielshm said:

It's allways like that. Seems like 0.25 l. extra. I trust they use their experience, and knows what they are doing. 

No. They don't. Your engine oil is overfilled.

[Dylanfan]

Shouldn’t the oil be check with engine hot, after standing 10 minutes?

[TonyHSD]

19 minutes ago, Dylanfan said:

Shouldn’t the oil be check with engine hot, after standing 10 minutes?

Either way, it shouldn’t be overfilled. 
On hot engine the oil level should be at max , where if checked on cold it should be just below max mark. In the op engine it’s clearly overfilled by not by that much to cause any problems imo, although if on my own car I will keep at max mark. , but that’s just me. 

[Red_Corolla]

4 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

Either way, it shouldn’t be overfilled. 
On hot engine the oil level should be at max , where if checked on cold it should be just below max mark. In the op engine it’s clearly overfilled by not by that much to cause any problems imo, although if on my own car I will keep at max mark. , but that’s just me. 

I think most garages do it just to prevent backlash from owners who feel they've been short-changed. While I'm having mine done at the garage to preserve the warranty, I've been telling them not to overfill and not to worry if it's slightly under. I'd rather give my PCV system a fighting chance of staying clear than feel like I 'got my money's worth.' Anyway, the level doesn't drop before the next service, so I don't need the extra spare 🤣

[miks]

You are most probably losing coolant via radiator or its tubing leak. Topping is not needed at all if there is no leak. Just keep an eye on the level, if you need to top it once or twice a year i wouldnt bother fixing anything

[koji]

Another, but rather odd, possibility: the expansion tank.

A friend of mine had a leaking tank in his Lexus. We couldn't believe it. Truth be told, the Lexus was 10 years old.

Good luck, and please tell us your finding.