Browse over 9,000 car reviews
My 2012 Audi Q5's coolant light comes on the dashboard, telling me to stop the engine and check coolant. There's no obvious leak visible. What could be the causes?
The best way forward here is to take the car to a workshop that knows Audis and have them pressure test the cooling system. Modern cars have sealed coolant systems, suggesting that they shouldn’t lose any coolant at all. The reality is a little different, and what may have happened is that your coolant level has been falling very slowly perhaps over a period of years until the level is low enough to trigger the warning message.
By pressure testing the system, any leak should become visible and can be fixed. Water pumps, radiators, heat exchangers and the network of coolant plumbing that makes up a modern car can all develop leaks. Sometimes the leak is so small, the coolant evaporates before it ever hits the ground which is why there’s no tell-tale puddle under the car each morning.
Don’t automatically jump to the conclusion that your car has a blown head gasket; there are lots of ways for coolant to escape, which is why it’s wise to keep an eye on the level on a weekly basis.
Comments