Can you drive with blue coolant light on

A blue engine coolant temperature light only indicates one thing: that your coolant, or antifreeze, is too cold. In fact, the temperature is so low that it is possible for your radiator to get too cold, thus resulting in your engine freezing up and not being able to start.

But for this light to come on right at startup is normal. If anything, it's simply telling you that you just need to let your engine warm up a bit. In the meantime, your vehicle's system is performing a routine temperature check, and that's normal. It's also an excellent safety feature that wakes up your engine prior to take-off. Allowing your vehicle a couple of minutes to warm up is equivalent to you enjoying that delicious first cup of coffee that starts you up and keeps you going the rest of the day.

In most cases, this blue light only stays on for a minute or two. When this happens, driving off right away is ill-advised, especially in certain gears. The blue light will go off when you've given your car sufficient time to warm up. If anything, once your engine warms, all of the other fluids can do their jobs effectively. Your oil will be able to lubricate all parts while your transmission fluid controls your speed and motion well. Plus, power steering fluid can be more readily distributed in hydraulic systems and using the wheel will be safe and effective.

But if the blue light persists beyond two minutes, your antifreeze may be at stake. If this happens, it is advised that you turn off your engine and wait for it to cool down sufficiently before checking your antifreeze levels. Failure to do so could be fatal in that you might face a shower of scalding, hot water spraying your face, and third-degree burns may result.

Low antifreeze levels may be the result of a leak hiding somewhere in your tank. If you're unsure of how to inspect it for a leak, it may be best to have a professional inspection done. If you feel you need service, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!

At one time or another, every car owner has noticed a light flashing on the dashboard and had no idea what it means or what is happening with his or her car. Well, while each of these lights points to specific issues, some are more crucial than others. All the same, knowing exactly what each light means will save you preventable downtimes as well as costly damages.

Also known as the Coolant Temperature Low Indication Light, the blue light on your dashboard indicates that coolant temperature is extremely low. Once you turn the ignition key, the warning light illuminates for one to two minutes (until the engine is at optimal operative temperature) then goes off automatically. If it's one of those chilly winter mornings, the engine might longer to warm up, and the light equally takes longer to go out. However, if the blue light does not go out even after startup, it might be a red flag that there is a problem with the coolant temperature or its fluid level.

Is it Safe to Drive while the Coolant Temperature Warning Light is On?

While most car owners tend to ignore the blue light, they risk causing significant damage to the car engine. When this light comes on when you are driving, you should pull over immediately and contact a certified technician. They will run thorough diagnostics to identify the main problem then provide the necessary repair or maintenance services.

Remember that a low coolant level indicates a potential leak which a certified mechanic must address immediately. Otherwise, your engine will overheat, leading to major and irreversible damages, which are costly to repair. Once the light finally goes off, you should take your car on a test drive, as the warning light will automatically light up again if the problem has not been fixed.

If you are unsure of what a warning light appearing on your dashboard indicates, you can consult your car's owner manual. All the same, proper diagnostics from a professional technician will help you avoid unnecessary repairs. If you need vehicle service, we invite you to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop today!

If you've ever glanced down at your dashboard in confusion at a little blue light upon starting your vehicle, we're here to tell you exactly what that little light is. It's your coolant temperature light, and its job is to indicate the temperature of your engine. When it's blue, that means your engine isn't quite at the operational driving temperature yet. In other words, the engine hasn't quite heated to the point where it's in optimum driving shape. For this reason, it's recommended that you wait until this little blue light turns off before you drive anywhere.

Other Uses

This engine coolant light turns another color you might've noticed, and that color is red! This light indicates that (you guessed it) your engine is too hot! If this light comes on, it's recommended you turn your engine off, or idle until the light goes back on. This light generally only comes on during warmer weather, but it can also make an appearance if you've been driving a lot, or hauling a large amount of equipment at high speeds. It's not necessarily a cause for concern, however, unless it turns on with seemingly no provocation, or doesn't turn off after a few minutes of no use.

Potential Issues

While you never know if a light staying on is a simple electrical issue causing the notification system to bug out or not, you should always take stock of the light staying on for long periods of time. If it remains blue and everything seems operational, then don't be too concerned. However, if the red light that indicates high engine temperatures comes up and doesn't go away, we'd recommend taking in your vehicle as soon as possible, as enhanced engine temperatures could signify all sorts of problems in an internal combustion engine. It's always better to err on the safe side, even if it's probably nothing.

If your engine coolant light has been giving you trouble, then we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop! We'd be happy to answer any and all of the questions you might have.

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