how normal is it, given the low odometer reading ? i’ve topped it up with distilled water, off to see dealer asap

Not normal at all.

I had to add coolant to my yeti and Karoq at about 4000 miles... in both the low warning light came on..

 

I added with correct coolant..

 

Never had to top up the Yeti after that once..  expect it was just an air lock that came out?

 

Still early days on the Karoq as its just at 6K miles.. so need to see if it was just a one off..

 

 

Thanks for this thread, forums can be handy places at times.

As an older variety of car owner I've always checked my fluid levels myself, but in modern times I do it less often because I suppose I've become conditioned to think that modern cars don't lose fluids as they've become more reliable.

This thread prompted me to lift my bonnet today and lo and behold, my coolant level is below the minimum mark. I find this unusual, partly because the car has only done 7500 miles, but also because I cannot remember the last time I've had to top up my reservoir.

This is in fact very normal.

 

Take a look through any of the model threads on Briskoda and the need to top up the coolant in the first year is very common.

 

This could very well be a Skoda quirk, or indeed a VAG quirk, and before everyone jumps on and says "mine has been fine", it doesn't affect all cars, some make it to their first service where no doubt the dealer tops it up, some may have no issues at all.

 

I can only assume there are some small airlocks in the system, introduced during the manufacturing / assembly process, and over time these escape and the levels drop.

 

I check my levels every few months so noticed the low level before the warning light came on...

 

 

A litre of genuine VAG G13 pre-mixed coolant is less than £12 delivered to your door...

 

 

Thread after thread after thread...

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

This is in fact very normal.

 

Take a look through any of the model threads on Briskoda and the need to top up the coolant in the first year is very common.

 

This could very well be a Skoda quirk, or indeed a VAG quirk, and before everyone jumps on and says "mine has been fine", it doesn't affect all cars, some make it to their first service where no doubt the dealer tops it up, some may have no issues at all.

 

I can only assume there are some small airlocks in the system, introduced during the manufacturing / assembly process, and over time these escape and the levels drop.

 

I check my levels every few months so noticed the low level before the warning light came on...

 

 

A litre of genuine VAG G13 pre-mixed coolant is less than £12 delivered to your door...

 

 

Thread after thread after thread...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the level in that photo isn’t low, it’s above the min level. The correct  level could be anywhere in the hatched area depending on engine temp. As long as it’s not below the min level it’s fine.

I didn't say too low, I said low i.e. lower than it should be, so it is low.

 

It was no doubt on it's way down to the minimum level at which point the dash warning is triggered, in the same way so many other Skoda owners have experienced.

Brilliant timing Mr Silver, I was just about to ask where people sourced the coolant from. My dealer only stocks concentrated coolant which needs mixing with distilled water I understand. When I asked if they had the water, you'd think I'd asked for a gold plated giraffe.

Anyhow, I started searching for distilled water locally and was pointed in the direction of Halfords. Halfords do not stock distilled water, but they do have deionised water which is not the same and I'm led to believe it can eventually cause corrosion.

So should pure distilled water be used or is deionised okay in these expensive modern batteries ? Not that it matters now as Silver1011 has shown that it's available premixed, but I'd still be interested in the answer.

what, if any, are the adverse consequences of topping up with distilled water rather than coolant ?

You are diluting the ratio / strength of the Anti Freeze / Summer Coolant / Rust Inhibitor. Not by much though.  The strength can be measured.

Some use de-ionized water not distilled.

 

 

Edited 6 February, 20206 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

Just had this in my 2.0 TSI, 17000 miles and coolant was at bottom of min level. I think silver1011 has it right, possibly air in the system.

 

Stopped off at my local supplying dealer and they confirmed it was too low and topped it off free of charge with G13 (not to dilute it down with water), the mechanic told me they normally fill it to the middle moulding line.

 

Its surprising how much the level rises when the engine’s  hot and the pressure is carefully released.

Lazy Barstewards do that.  Overfill and leave the car to set its own level.

 

Between MIN & MAX is there rather than 'FILL TO THIS LEVEL'  because the system will set it's own level, but pointless overfilling.

I had to replace the water pump because it simply stopped working. I don't know if it was quilty for the coolant consumption. Since then, no coolant consumption anymore.

The coolant should be cool when level checked according to the manual, so topping up when warm is a bit tricky.

 

The level is now at the top of the marked area when cold.

 

 

 

Edited 9 February, 20206 yr by Greenliner1
Duplicated image

Relieved to know this is a 'thing' my Kodiaq needed filling at 2000 miles the dealer said "might have not put enough in at manufacture- no signs of leak/ pressure tested fine. But it's just done it again at 18000 miles- again no signs of leak, no residues, no fail on pressure test- they said must have been air lock but expanding hoses makes more sense at this age. Hopefully it's not going to be more than a top up at services but not impressed- the Superb never put a foot wrong.

 my vrs with 9000km done the same, the coolant light came on a few days ago.  Next day the light is off and not came back on, level looks a bit low but not to bad, might just leave it and see if it comes back on

 

Mine was exactly the same and need topping up at around 2000 and 18000 miles. It hasn’t needed touching since (beyond routine servicing) and is up to 63000 miles now.