I got a "Low Coolant" warning in the DIC when I turned the car on today... It's definitely not leaking and the car only has 25,000km (15,500mi). Any chance it could be because it's been between -14C and -25C (6.8F to -13F)? The coolant was -9C (15.8F) when I turned the car on.

So just an anomaly based on temperature or should I keep an eye on it?

 

Just add some more.

 

my balt did the same thing to 2 mornings ago but since then i havent seen the message anymore i got to check just tobe sure...o and it was like 20 degrees outside that morning

 

But if it's just low when it's super cold, wouldn't that amount to over-filling it? I'm not sure if it changes in volume based in temperature, hence why I'm asking.

 

Dude get out of North Bay it's doing a number on your poor car . I'm not sure if the temperature itself should cause it to report low, if I'm not mistaken temperature shouldn't affect the volume...I wonder if you checked the manufacturers site if it would tell you? My 2.2 never did when it saw similar temperatures and had the same coolant if I'm not mistaken but I'd keep an eye on it. Perhaps the next morning you walk out of Santa Claus' workshop check the actual level in the reservoir, start your car and see if it does it again. Then if you happen to get a warm day do a comparison between levels but if it persists I'd get it looked at it.

 

Sarcastic son of a bitch

Provided I watch the coolant temp when I'm driving, it should be fine, right?

 

Sarcastic, who, me ?

I thought I'd heard of other people having similar issues with theirs in severly cold weather so I tracked down this thread which shows some people saying it was physically low (there's a fill line on it) and others it seemed to just randomly report low and was fine:

Clicky

If it's physically low the termperatures may report in range on the DIC but there may not be enough circulating. If you park on a flat grade and see it but the level is at the fill level then your sensor is probably just a frozen brick from sitting in those ridiculous temperatures overnight . Check your coolant level, make sure it's not below "fill" (I'll check tonight I THINK it says "fill" but might say "full" as well) and if it looks good I'd imagine you'll be fine.

 

Yes, the coolant will contract/expand based on temperature. Look at the fill line on your reservoir and it should say "FULL COLD" (haven't checked, but even if it doesn't say, the line thats on there is for cold fill level) If your light is coming on then check the level, if the level is at the fill line when its cold, your sensor is fucked.

 

Check your heater hose clamp. Mine had a defective one from the factory. I didn't start smelling coolant till it was bleeding coolant horrifically

 

Took the words out of my mouth. Also, the manual says the coolant will protect against freezing up to -37C, beyond that god only knows. I wonder if it has been cold enough at night to simply throw the reading off when you initlally start the car? Once started and warmed up it will expand, when I shut mine off after getting home (and driving the ***** off it as usual ) it's slightly above the COLD FILL line.

If it's a persistent problem even when the vehicle is thawed out then I'd definitely look into this. If your clamp is bleeding it's not going to help it any being a frozen brick!

 

i believe the level sensor has a magnet in it that references to a float in the tank, and when it's cold outside the charged particles of the magnetic field move way slower, thus affecting the sensor.

 

I've been getting the 'Low Coolant' message since the temps have dropped.

Only 7,000 miles on my car and no leaks to speak of. Plenty of coolant in the expansion tank too.

Once the engine warms up the message goes away.

 

Cold weather shouldn't affect a properly operating sensor. There is no float or magnets, the sensor is a resistor. BCM sends out a ref. voltage (usually 5v) and see what the voltage drop is after the sensor, then uses the info to decide if theres coolant in the tank or not.

Perma - The computer usually has a 15(maybe 30?) second grace period for everything to wake up before it will suspect a problem. Like i said before, if you see the message and your coolant level is ok, there is a problem.

 

It's definitely just a combination of parking on a grade where the rear is lower than the front and extreme low temperatures. I left the car outside at my girlfriend's place for 5 hours tonight (had it in the garage all day, no warning before I left) and it had the warning message on when I started it leaving her place. By the time I got halfway down the street and the coolant temp hit about 10C, the message disappeared.

It's -21C tonight pre-windchill, so basically it's cold as *****. I'll check the reservoir tomorrow, but I'm not too worried about it any more.

 

Go to auto parts store.

Add dexcool to expansion tank.

/problem.

 

Read topic, realize that OP was concerned if mere temperature was causing the error, doing what you suggest would result in an over-filled system once ambient temperatures were more reasonable..

/you.

...

 

it usually doesnt expand/contract that much...just look at your overflow bottle and see...on my 2.2 the ridge in the middle is where its supposed to be at

and the turbo is water cooled too right? so maybe look at that?

 

I'm having the same issue with mine. I took it in, thinking it's something serious - will report back!

 

It doesn't get that cold here were Cavalier and I live. It's MAYBE dropping into the 20's at night. And if it was that, then I'd be having the same problem and I park on a grade each night. The only problem I'm having is random misfires now and then. Changed the plugs yesterday so we'll see how that works.

*pokes Cav in the eye for good measure*

 

Turbos are oil cooled, not water cooled.

 

Well, turns out the surge tank was low - even warmed up it was below the cold fill line. I topped it up, but the car still seems to be running hotter than usual... Typical temp is 90C, it's fluctuating between 93-95 at speed and 98 when it idles.

Any ideas?

 

I hate to say it but take it to a dealer to check for leaks anywhere and everywhere. I know it's cold as ***** but is your exhaust more white than usual? Does it have a sweet smell to it?

 

I can't say I've noticed a difference in exhaust colour... And why do I feel like the dealer will try to charge me to do an inspection like that? I can't see why I'd have a leak. I haven't noticed any coolant on the floor of the garage.

 

If your car's in warranty they shouldn't be charging you for anything. Coolant shouldn't just randomly be low after it has been fine for months on end; it doesnt evaporate so I'm not sure what else to blame it on. Try to take your car out for a drive, get on it a bit, stop and get out and see if your exhaust has a sweet smell to it. I don't know of a better way to check for coolant leaking past the head gasket, etc.

 

I think you're worrying too much about nothing.

Check the level. It's more than likely below the "Fill Cold" line on the coolant bottle. Fill it up and that display will go away. The more you sit here and think something is wrong with your car the more you'll notice "odd" normal things that happen.

Hell, I get a "CHeck gas cap" message on my display every so often when the temp get's a certain temp. Oh well.