You are not alone if you notice a strange Blue Light on Dashboard. A lot of various lights and signs can come up on the dashboard of your vehicle, and this can be uneasy to understand.
The coolant temperature light is one substantial confusing light, and the major purpose is to indicate your engine temperature. If the light is blue, this implies that the motor’s temperature is not in an operational driving mode yet. Simply put, you need to heat your engine. Therefore, it is advisable that before you start driving, you should wait until the blue light goes off.
The engine coolant light could also turn Red. This indicartes that the engine is too hot. When the light comes up, it is advised that you switch off your car. This light usually comes up only on hot days; this can also happen if you have been running at high speed with lots of lugging heavy appliances. It won’t be a big problem if you switch them off for some time.
Would you like to know more about the blue light on dashboard?, Let’s get started!
What Does the Blue Light on My Dashboard Mean?
When there is blue light on dashboard, it means your vehicle is not at the operational driving temprature yet. This simply entails that your engine needs to heat up to a functional temperature. It is advised that you wait for this light to turn off before driving. This light can as well be Red, meaning a very hot engine.
This is also known as the coolant temperature low indication light. Whenever the light on the dashboard is blue, it shows that the coolant temperature is incredibly low. As soon as you switch your ignition key on, the light flash for 1 to 2 minutes( till the engine gets to optimal operative temp), and then it automatically goes off.
Your engine might take a longer time to heat up if it is one of those cold winter mornings, and the light takes a long time to go off. But regardless, if it doesn’t go off even after starting the vehicle, this might indicate an issue related to the fluids level or the coolant temperature.
What Triggers the Low Coolant Light to Come Up?
Though the system is extremely complex, still there can be a good reason why the low coolant light turns on. The most cautious method to make sure you discover the remedy if it’s your first time, is to visit a mechanic with your vehicle.
Although, it might be of good help if you troubleshoot the vehicle before taking it to a workshop to check if you’ll be able to fix the problem yourself.
How to Check Coolant Level
Though most vehicle owners are inclined to neglect these blue lights, which can cause defects to your car engine. Whenever you are driving, and the light is on, you should park your car instantly and call a certified mechanic. The mechanic would run detailed diagnostics to know the specific issue and then give the needed maintenance service or repair.
Have it at the back of your mind that when the coolant level is low, it signifies that there’s a probable leak that the certified technician needs to attend to as soon as possible. If not, the engine overheats, which then leads to irreversible or major damages that are expensive to repair.
So take the car for a test drive once the light goes off finally since the warning light would come on again if the damage has not been repaired.
Also Read: Coolant Reservoir (Functions, Symptoms, Leak & Repair)
What to Do When Temperature Warning Light Comes up
When you start the engine, the temperature warning light blink for 1 or 2 seconds. But if the light stays on more than that, it simply means something is improper with your coolant.
You must not continue to drive whenever this light stays on. Instead, park your car immediately and switch off the engine. Pause for at least thirty minutes so that the engine can cool down. Put on a thick glove or coat your hand using a chunk of rag or thick towel and take out the radiator cover to inspect the level of the coolant. Don’t do this if your engine is not cool because the steam from the radiator can hurt you.
Add clean water if the fluid level is low, and drive your vehicle to a nearby repair shop to examine everything fully. This solution is temporary. When the coolant level is low, there is a leak that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.
How do you Assess the Coolant Level (Low Coolant)
When you see that there’s no leak and the coolant level is low, you have used up the coolant remaining. One simple way to repair a low level of coolant is to fill the coolant to a reasonable level and let it absorb it right into its system.
If you open the radiator cover, you’ll notice indicators like “min” and “max” that symbolize the current level of coolant mixture in the tank. Just filling the tank to the acceptable level (beneath the max) would fix the low-level coolant problem. However, after filling, steady inspection through the week is advised to make sure no coolant is leaking.
Checking the Coolant Quality/Health
When your vehicle is rightful for coolant replacement or when the warning light turns on, there’s a possibility that the cooling system is corroded, especially when you have combined various kinds of radiator coolants. In this situation, take your vehicle to an expert in coolant flush.
You normally check if the coolant is poor before taking your car for flushing, by taking out some of the bad coolants using a baster and inspecting it. You’ll require full-service flushing if there’s an indication of gunk build-up or corrosion.
If you are conducting regular maintenance on the car, we advise you to always check the coolant’s level. That being the case, you can typically conserve money for yourself by offsetting the charge for the full-service flush. However, to ensure you never spend unnecessary money due to neglecting the vehicle’s system, the following are guidelines for best practice.
Tips to Purchasing the Correct Coolant for your Car
Firstly, you must acquire the kind of coolant named in the owner’s manual. Unfortunately, as redundant and obvious as this might sound, many people buy the wrong kind of coolant and are compelled to do a full-service flush.
Whenever you visit a local auto-part shop to buy the right coolant, you should also buy drain cock. Drain cock is simply a part used for extracting fluid from the deepest part of your tank, as the remaining coolant will have the opportunity to tamper with the new coolant added to your tank.
If the manual demand for “ extended life” coolant, which is not handy at the local auto-part shop, you can purchase it from the dealers directly.
Regardless of the place you buy the coolant, never buy a coolant fluid that is “universal”. Using incorrect coolant can lead to component/premature failure and nullify your warranty. Proper maintenance of your car will make a difference.
How to Change Coolant: How do you Perform Coolant Flush
In this process this next procedure would be where a lot of persons withdraw themselves, but persons who are determined to continue will have to go beneath their car. To drain your car, you’ll need to raise the vehicle’s front end and safely assist it with the car jack to ensure the vehicle’s stability on the jack stand and prop the vehicle.
How to Drain Radiator (How to Drain Engine Coolant)
For this, you’ll have to put a big drain pan( you can also use a big bowl instead) beneath the radiator cover. Not all radiators are covered; in this situation, you’ll just look for the pressure cap and take it out, which is located close to the coolant tank. After which, you can move forward to open up the draincock and continue draining the radiator.
As soon as all the liquid has been drained out from the tank and your draincock is out, ease the radiator hose clamp below, and detach the hose from your engine to drain the remaining coolant.
During the procedure, you might need to take out the clamps. To do this, use slip-joint pliers to take out the clamps, most especially the spring-loaded clamps. It will help remove the remaining coolant and give you the proficiency to put in a new coolant. Finally, after draining, connect back the radiator hose and replace/reinstall the draincock.
Now it’s about filling the coolant tank. In this process, leave your car raised when refilling the radiator to lessen the chance of the formation of air pockets in your engine. After you have drained your coolant, ensure to stick to the manufacturer’s guidance in dampening concentrated coolant.
How to dilute Anti-Freeze Coolant and Water
Dilute the antifreeze coolant with water carefully inside a neat bucket to avoid deposits of minerals on the radiator surface and internal engine. Always use distilled water when diluting the coolant and water; don’t use tap water as this might result in mineralization of your coolant. Next, gently fill your coolant tank or radiator with new coolant until it’s a few inches below the mark on your coolant tank or one inch below the neck of your radiator.
How to Fill up Engine Coolant
Activate your engine and let it run; after your engine warms up, you will notice that the coolant level in the coolant tank/radiator will drop rapidly. This means that the thermostat is opened, and you need to add extra coolant to increase the level to the “HOT” sign on your coolant tank or to the top of your radiator.
Check the manufacturer manual to observe if your vehicle needs a particular air bleeding process. Lastly, check for leaks, turn the engine off, reinstall the cover, bring the car down, and drive your car.
Also Read: Coolant Reservoir Empty (Causes & Fix)
Frequently Asked Questions – Blue Light on Dashboard
What does blue light on the dash mean?
Whenever you see the blue light, it simply means that there’s a low level of coolant temperature. This is why the blue light comes on whenever you turn your vehicle on. The light will go off if the engine obtains suitable operating temperatures.
Can u drive with a blue coolant light?
In most situations, the blue light lingers for 1 or 2 minutes. So driving off immediately, especially in some specific gears, it’s not advised whenever the light comes on. Instead, the light would turn off when you have given the car enough time to heat up.
What is the blue thing on my car?
The coolant temp light is one notable symbol that is confusing, and its work is to display your engine’s temperature. If it’s blue, the motor is not at a temperature where you can start driving. That is to say; you need to heat your engine.
How do you fix low coolant temp?
One easy way to repair a low coolant level is to start filling the coolant back to a reasonable level and allow the system to absorb the coolant. As you open the radiator cover, you’ll see signs such as “min” and “max”, which signifies the current level of coolant mixture you have in the tank.
What is the blue light in my Honda Civic?
When the warning light turns on and its colour is blue, this simply means that the coolant temperature of your engine is very low and will not be able to operate appropriately. You will have to take your vehicle to the dealers for the problem to be deduced and fixed.
What does it imply whenever the low coolant light turns on?
The light lets you know that the fluid level is beneath the sensor. However, as soon as you drive, the engine heats up, and the light is expected to turn off. But if the light stays on after driving for some time, you will need to inspect the coolant sensor and the coolant level.