We have an 07 with 9600 miles on it. Last October, at 9200 miles, I changed the oil/filter and checked the fluids. Tonite, when I was checking the washer fluid, I saw the coolant recovery tank was nearly empty. Just a bit in the bottom 1/2 inch or so. There is coolant in the hose under the pressure cap, and no wet spots on the garage floor. No wet floor mats or odors in the cabin. Two questions- any ideas on where it went? Are the "universal coolants" OK to use in this car?

 

I'd stick to the recommended DEX-COOL.

You don't mean to say, you haven't opened the hood since Last Oct. ??

I would put mark on the jug at cold level & keep an eye on it. The factory level is very low in the tank.

I have more in mine & marked. But not so much as it could overflow in Very Hot weather & hard running..

 

test oil in the engine.
Just Get the dipstick and make sure that there is no foam or flakes.
If the oil is normal - it means there's no danger. The coolant does not flow into the engine.
Fluid may leak small doses of weak joints. I was told - it's not dangerous. Importantly - maintain normal fluid levels in the system.

 

X2

 

Heater core leaking?

 

Nope, haven't had the hood up since October. That's when I changed the oil and checked the fluid levels. What is the recommended hood opening interval? 100, 200, miles? I think 400 miles is reasonable for a routine check. I could be wrong. This is a 9600 mile car. Not 96,000.
The oil looks fine. None of the telltale semi-emulsified white slime or other crud on the dipstick or the filler cap.
What bothers me is the loss in 400 miles. No loss in the first 9200.
I'll just add coolant mix and see what happens. Sooner or later it will fail enough to find the problem.

 

It is possible that there was an air bubble in the engine block and while sitting it worked its way out, thus dropping the level of the coolant. Put the recommended amount in it and see what happens. I would even go so far as to place a bit of clean cardboard under the motor for a week or two..

Scott..

 

I pop the hood daily because its a pilot thing, once you've had pre-flight checks ingrained in you, you just find yourself doing them on everything. I think a once a week look under the hood is about right for the average driver. As for where the coolant went, maybe it didn't go anywhere. Depending on the engine temp when you checked it in October and the other day, the level in the recovery tank might have been different. If you're not smelling it inside or outside the leak if any is small to insignificant. Also, even though the cooling system is "sealed" to a point, some coolant loss will occur over time, just have to check periodically.

 

Water can and does evaporate from the overflow tank.

 

Is it possible with the cooler weather the coolant has contracted more and that is what you are seeing?