Automotive Express

Antifreeze/coolant in your car is not a consumable fluid.

Had a customer in yesterday for an oil change. One of the things we noticed was that the coolant level was low in the coolant reservoir. (Pic is a random example, I didn’t take a pic of the actual car while it was here, just had the idea to post the story this morning)

The car is a 2022 VW Taos and I looked things up quickly. Apparently there is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) out on this problem from VW. The head gaskets tend to go bad and leak coolant internally. This car only had 40k on the odometer. When looking over your car and, when it’s serviced, noticing little things like fluids that are low, that should not be low, can be the early warning signs to bigger problems later if not addressed. Brake fluid, power steering fluid and engine coolant or antifreeze are not consumable fluids; they do have a service life and need to be changed on a schedule but absent a leak you shouldn’t be losing any of them. Brake fluid can get a little low if you are in need of new brakes however if you top it off and it gets low again you’ve got a problem. Same with antifreeze or coolant. That all said, it is a normal occurrence to use about a quart of oil between oil changes on some cars. That is a designed in consumable.

Safe travels!

May The Road Rise Up To Meet You May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.