Oh dear - I am borrowing a friend's Skoda Fabia Ambiente and the first day of driving it, a red flashing/beeping sign has appeared (looks like a thermometer).

1. I presume this needs urgent action?!

2. What action??!! (I can't really afford a mechanic if avoidable - someone said something about coolant??)

Excuse my ignorance and hope you can help...

Thanks

This is an often asked question, but all things considered...

It may mean that the coolant needs topped up; if it's like the Octy, you're looking for a spherical white plastic container with a blue lid, and orange/pink liquid inside it. If the level in this is below the "miimum mark, you need to get hold of an antifreeze to VAG specification G12+ to top it up.

It may well just be a false positive caused by a coating on the level prongs though.

In this case, then as long as it only appears when the engine is stone cold, and the ambiant temperature is low (typically below 3C) you can deal with it for now by running the engine for a minute, switching right offf, and restarting. Tell your friend that they've got the usual coolant bottle issue when you return the car, and to come here to find the 3 ways of fixing it!

First off check there's coolant in the expansion tank, Left side of engine spherical tank with a blue cap should have a pink liquid in it!

If that's OK it'll be a sensor on it way out!

This place really IS helpful. Thank you.