Posted on 1/30/2026
Coolant is one of those fluids most drivers never think about until something feels off. Maybe the reservoir line looks a little lower than you remember, or you get a low coolant message that disappears after you top it off once. The big question is whether this is normal aging or a sign that something is leaking or burning off. A small drop can happen, but coolant is not supposed to vanish like windshield washer fluid, so it is worth knowing where the line is between normal and not normal. What Coolant Does And Why The System Should Stay Full Coolant carries heat away from the engine, protects against freezing, and helps prevent corrosion inside the cooling system. It also relies on pressure to work correctly. The cooling system is designed to be sealed, meaning coolant should circulate, heat up, cool down, and return to the same level without needing regular top-offs. If the level is dropping repeatedly, the system is losing coolant somewhere. It migh ... read more