Normal for 'low' coolant warning?

[Rob Cletus]

Good day! 1 time owner of a 2018 with 38000 and a low coolant signal came on. Should I be concerned for a more serious underlying concern? Thanks.

 

[tidefan1967]

Did you check the overflow tank and was it actually low? I know on most new vehicles that I bought in the past including my current ram and wife’s grand Cherokee I had to top off the coolant tank a couple times when it was new but never a problem after that.

 

[Rob Cletus]

Haven't had the time to, but will do so in my lunch break. Thanks.

 

[GsRAM]

Anytime you have a warning light on, you should be concerned.

As said, check to ensure the overflow tank has proper level, refill if necessary and monitor it for changes. If it continues to drop you have issues, get it to the dealer, your still under warranty,

 

[jws123]

Whatever you do dont let it run hot ever.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Your cooling system is a sealed system. It may lower a small amount because the expansion tanks are not sealed as well as the actual radiator so some coolant can evaporate if the cap is lose. With a truck that only has 3800 miles it definitely shouldn't be low on fluid. Since you haven't previously checked the level to see if it was low from the factory there is really no way to know for sure what the coolant level was when you bought the truck it's hard to say if it's losing coolant. First thing to do is open the hood and check for any obvious leaks around the engine and on the ground. Check the reservoir to see if its actually low. If it is pull the dip stick and check to make sure the oil isn't milky in any way. I would be shocked if it is but it's always good to check when it only takes a second no matter how unlikely it is. Fill the reservoir to the full cold mark. If you found no leaks and the oil looks OK and start the truck and let it get to operating temperature so the system builds pressure. Inspect the engine and the ground again for any coolant leaks. If you see no leaks monitor the level over the next few months and see if the coolant level continues to drop. If it does get the truck into the dealer to have it checked.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Rob Cletus]

Rick,

Thank you for the advice. Thank you all really. I followed the steps there and if there are any shortcomings in the following months I will be sure to take it to the dealership. BTW oil was not milky, nice and sheen the way oil should be with 5k of use on it. Thanks again.

 

[WSeanMac]

assuming there were no further issues since this was posted? i just had low coolant discovered during an oil change (no warning light but heater wasn't heating up as its getting colder out) so doing similar to you... no leaks found, no smell, oilooks good... topped it up and will monitor but gives me an uneasy feeling

 

[gofishn]

assuming there were no further issues since this was posted? i just had low coolant discovered during an oil change (no warning light but heater wasn't heating up as its getting colder out) so doing similar to you... no leaks found, no smell, oilooks good... topped it up and will monitor but gives me an uneasy feeling

In your situation, there is definitely air in the cooling system that needs to be Burped out.
Just like a a baby needs burped, to get air out of their "lines".

Inspect the ground for any stains or leaks, if none, pull the engine to cover that area.
Also handy to place alarge peice of cardboard down, if area has old stains so you can any new ones.
Take off the radiator cap. Visually insure the fluid levels are full. If not, add fluid.

Get into truck and turn heat to hottest setting and blow out the front vents. roll down your windows so you can stick and in front of the air coming out of those vents to test for Warmth.

Start and run the engine.

When it reaches the temperature of your thermostat, the thermostat will open and push the coolant from your engine bloc into the radiator, forcing the coolant from the radiator, into the engine block. as this happens, you might even see the coolant "flowing" as you look in thru the radiator cap location.

When this is done, walk back to cab, put your hand in front of the air coming out fo the vent and check for warmth.
Bend down and inspect eh ground for leaks .
Check radiator fluid level, once again, after the Exchange has occurred and verify it is full.
if not, add more fluid.

allow the Coolant exhange to occur oen or more times, checking for warmth out of vents and seeing if you are getting more ornot, inspecting ground for fresh leaks and checking flujid levels through the radiator cap location.

Once the engine to radiator coolant exchange has occurred a couple of times and you have no needed to add fluid, replace radiator cap and fill coolant reservoir to proper level.
Like engine oil levels, inspect coolant reservoir levels, regularly.
Any questions, jsut ask.
Someoen will speak up