Help ASAP!!!! low coolant indicator

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

Hi. Im new to the forum and needed some help. I have had my Yaris base sedan for about 5 days now and every time i start up the car, my low coolant light is on for about 1-2 mins until the engine is warm then it turns off. At first i freaked out and checked my fluid level but everything was good so i just figured that was something this car did to let me know that my engine is cold and turns off once it is warmed up(since it doesnt have a normal temp gauge). Now im starting to worry again since i didnt see anyone else here on the forum having this same issue. Of course the engine was already nice and warm when i drove it off the lot since it had to be driven from another dealership to me and it didnt do this problem i've been having. p.s. the light does not come on say if i drive to the store and come right back out and turn it on since it's warmed up already. Someone mentioned to me at work that maybe im not getting the correct flow of coolant until the engine is warmed, which i dont want happening to my BRAND NEW car.... Wanted to know if ANYBODY has any input to whether i should take it to the dealership to have it checked out..... Thanks in advance
***Im not very good with manuevering this website so if you could private message me that would be great

Meghan

[Moose]

It's normal- the car doesn't have a temp gauge, so this is just the car's way of saying that it is not warmed up yet. No worries!

BTW, do not warm up the car by idling- warm it up by driving (but don't rev the hell out of it). Toyota is specifically warning folks about this.

[bugnuts]

Does it actually say (coolant)or(low coolant), Or is it just a yellow light that says (cool). If it is the (cool) light then this is just the temperature "dummy light", I have yet to see the other two.

[uncleyaris]

on canadian yaris, it is a green indicator that goes off once car is warm.

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

It's normal- the car doesn't have a temp gauge, so this is just the car's way of saying that it is not warmed up yet. No worries!

BTW, do not warm up the car by idling- warm it up by driving (but don't rev the hell out of it). Toyota is specifically warning folks about this.


Thanks so much for replying.... Yes, it's just the yellow light that says cool... I feel better about going ahead and driving off even though the light is on....When you say dont warm it up by idling you mean dont just sit there and wait for the light to go off? I never rev it cuz thats not good i do know that but i do sit and wait since i didnt know if that light was normal or not. If it's okay i'd like to know if your car has ABS or not because i think i may have another question about that!! Thanks

[Moose]

Thanks so much for replying.... Yes, it's just the yellow light that says cool... I feel better about going ahead and driving off even though the light is on....When you say dont warm it up by idling you mean dont just sit there and wait for the light to go off? I never rev it cuz thats not good i do know that but i do sit and wait since i didnt know if that light was normal or not. If it's okay i'd like to know if your car has ABS or not because i think i may have another question about that!! Thanks

No prob, and that's right- don't wait for the light to go off while idling, just drive- gently.

ABS? That's easy. Get in the car, turn the key to "on", but don't start it. If you see an "ABS" light, you have ABS. No light- no ABS. At any rate, look at your window sticker- ABS is an option, so it should be listed under the options.

I answer these questions all day long (I work for Lexus), so keep them coming.

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

Thanks so much for replying.... Yes, it's just the yellow light that says cool... I feel better about going ahead and driving off even though the light is on....When you say dont warm it up by idling you mean dont just sit there and wait for the light to go off? I never rev it cuz thats not good i do know that but i do sit and wait since i didnt know if that light was normal or not. If it's okay i'd like to know if your car has ABS or not because i think i may have another question about that!! Thanks

When im parked in a spot where i have to reverse out of(which is everywhere:home,school,work) and when i put it in drive and give the gas that first push, i hear a thunk/loud click noise and that is the only time i hear it.. It doesnt happen again when im stopped at a light and then take off or anything, just that initail push of the gas.. So far, ive noticed it pretty much everyday going to work and even again when i leave work. Someone again told me that their infinity did that and it was supposedly normal(i should stop listening to others and asked you guys always since you own the same damn thing and would know more)... Something to do with the ABS. Once again, dont want something to be horribly wrong with my new ride.. Let me know

[Moose]

When im parked in a spot where i have to reverse out of(which is everywhere:home,school,work) and when i put it in drive and give the gas that first push, i hear a thunk/loud click noise and that is the only time i hear it.. It doesnt happen again when im stopped at a light and then take off or anything, just that initail push of the gas.. So far, ive noticed it pretty much everyday going to work and even again when i leave work. Someone again told me that their infinity did that and it was supposedly normal(i should stop listening to others and asked you guys always since you own the same damn thing and would know more)... Something to do with the ABS. Once again, dont want something to be horribly wrong with my new ride.. Let me know

More than likely, it is the parking brake adjusting, which is totally normal. It should sound like a very little pop/click. A thump is a different story- there's a big difference there. Thumps are more suspension related, and will get worse over time and mileage. So, if it is a thump instead of a pop, I'll tell you what I tell my customers without seeing/hearing the car- continue to monitor the sound- if it gets worse, bring it in. If it goes away, it's just morning sickness (new car settling).

[sf180th]

My car did the same thing when it was new the coolant light would come on everytime and stay on for a while. From what I've read if it come on it will not go off until your coolant reaches 138 degress, I confirmed this with my Scan Gauge, it went off when it hit 138.

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

Moose,

It's more of a pop, your right!! and what a great way to describe it.... Im not good at wording things. It's not drastic but loud enough to hear it and the only reason i was concerned was because it seems to happen everytime, but then again i've only had my car like less than a week. Im so glad you know the answers to these things.. Im such a worry wart when it comes to my first brand new car.. One more thing to bug you with is when letting your foot off the gas coming up to a stop light(in my old beater) i usually could let my foot off the brake and roll up to the stop. In my Yaris when i let my foot off the gas it slows down substantially faster than im used to and is kind of herky jerky(not real herky jerky, just a little) until i apply good brake in order to stop. Im sure thats normal and probably just me getting used to driving something other than my 94' Ford Escort LX...

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

Tell me a little more about that parking break thing..Why does it do that? And does it definitely go away at some point? I work and go to school approx 2 miles total from my house since i live so close to downtown which is where everything is. Do you think it will take my car longer to get adjusted since i do drive it so little? I mean, i've had it since saturday and it had 66 miles on it already and driving it til now it only has 105 miles on it. This baby is gonna stay new for awhile. Oh and that reminds me, i may take it on a 2 hour trip just on the other coast of FLA(im on the east coast) like next weekend for a wedding and im still unsure about the whole not driving it at the same speed for a long period of time thing. I guess i could just make sure i fluctuate my speed and go 70 for a while 60, 65...... I dont wanna ruin it during the break in period! Im a freak and i apologize in advance.... =)

[Moose]

Moose,

It's more of a pop, your right!! and what a great way to describe it.... Im not good at wording things. It's not drastic but loud enough to hear it and the only reason i was concerned was because it seems to happen everytime, but then again i've only had my car like less than a week. Im so glad you know the answers to these things.. Im such a worry wart when it comes to my first brand new car.. One more thing to bug you with is when letting your foot off the gas coming up to a stop light(in my old beater) i usually could let my foot off the brake and roll up to the stop. In my Yaris when i let my foot off the gas it slows down substantially faster than im used to and is kind of herky jerky(not real herky jerky, just a little) until i apply good brake in order to stop. Im sure thats normal and probably just me getting used to driving something other than my 94' Ford Escort LX...

You're not bothering me! This is why I come here! Your car has an automatic transmission, right? If so, it's probably just the transmission adjusting to the car slowing down- it's preparing itself for you to hit the gas and take off instead of coming to a stop. When you apply "stopping power" with the brake, the transmission ECM (the brain) switches to neutral and allows smoother coasting. These transmissions (not to knock your old car) are much more advanced than those of a '94 Escort. It's the same reason you don't experience the constant switching of gears like you did in the Escort while going up or down hills- the transmission is selecting the "correct" gear based on wheel speed, attitude of the vehicle, brake application and throttle position, and holding it there. It's a "safety feature."

The parking brake "click" will never go away- braking in reverse is, actually, how the parking brake adjusts itself to compensate for the shoes wearing down and cable stretching.

As far as the break-in period goes, just lay off the cruise control until you hit 500 miles. Try to vary your RPM as much as possible without being an irritant to other drivers. :wink:

[eco]

Actually it goes off at 128-130,Ive seen it go off at both,no joke,I have a scangauge.

[eco]

Ohya,just alittle info,the car likes to stay around 182-184F.And if Im not mistaken,the fan comes on at 202-204F.And with a new sports low temp thermostat,it will stay lower,but you may need to replace coolant quicker,thats the only thing thats not installed yet on my car,all the other mods that you see below are complete.LOL,I know its deceiving,but I dont have room in my sig. for "MODS COMING SOON...etc."

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

Yes, Ive got automatic. Thanks! I like to know stuff about my car even though i dont know much about how cars work and having a place like this to come is great. You have saved me many days(and probably $$ too) of dwelling over the little stuff that i just dont know myself!! I love my car, it is seriously like driving a luxury car compared to my escort. I know that a 4 cylinder is not the smoothest ride around and my escort mad ALOT of noise and vibration so i am definitely used to that but it is normal that, because the yaris is also 4 cylinder, that it makes some noise that you can hear while speeding up? Im so afraid that im gonna rev it too hard trying to go up a bridge, which we have here but are not big at all, or speeding up to the speed limit. Again, i just think im tryint too hard to keep my car under as little pressure as possible since it's still all new and new to me as well. Never knew that driving a another car could be so different

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

LOL...Everyone tells me to just drive the damn thing and stop worrying... I bought a new car that is made to be driven so just do it!! I needed another yaris owner to tell me not to worry, you know?

[Moose]

Yes, Ive got automatic. Thanks! I like to know stuff about my car even though i dont know much about how cars work and having a place like this to come is great. You have saved me many days(and probably $$ too) of dwelling over the little stuff that i just dont know myself!! I love my car, it is seriously like driving a luxury car compared to my escort. I know that a 4 cylinder is not the smoothest ride around and my escort mad ALOT of noise and vibration so i am definitely used to that but it is normal that, because the yaris is also 4 cylinder, that it makes some noise that you can hear while speeding up? Im so afraid that im gonna rev it too hard trying to go up a bridge, which we have here but are not big at all, or speeding up to the speed limit. Again, i just think im tryint too hard to keep my car under as little pressure as possible since it's still all new and new to me as well. Never knew that driving a another car could be so different

No worries, you are going to have to try really, really hard to break your car. These cars have, basically, no sound insulation, so noisy acceleration is normal. Compare that to the new Lexus LS 460- over 300 pounds of sound insulation. You can hear a tick fart at full throttle. :laugh:

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

I also think im still stressed about my boot little escort breaking on me. The transmission started slipping on me and then i think finally went cuz it wigged out while i was driving it a few weeks ago. I think im so nervous that something drastic is still gonna happen to me even in my new car but i know it wont and i need to get over that and enjoy.

[Moose]

I think im so nervous that something drastic is still gonna happen to me even in my new car but i know it wont and i need to get over that and enjoy.

There you go. You just Dr. Phil'd yourself.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/talitm/Dr_Phil_McGraw.jpg

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

too bad id be paying for like 20yrs for a car like that!! i still love that yaris, man.. It's so cute in the front and i just love everything about it. You know compared to the 13yr old escort... The plastic over the gauges was cracked right down the middle with some condensation in it, power doors broke, windows went down and up all slow, and it didnt have air(IN FLA). Not to mention the faded paint and all of that..

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

LOL

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

One more thing to add to that is i think it all boils down to me thinking too much about my car being the defect and that my luck would be to get the dysfunctional one. So, nice to meet you and thanks again for answering and listening to my crazy ranting cuz i know its over obsessive and i know where to come to get the good answers to all my worries from now on. Im off for the night, got a morning job that starts way too early =)

[MeggiemobileSFLA]

And i did Dr. Phil myself didnt I? Im sorry you had to be the one to deal with that one!!

[Moose]

No big. Lemme know if there's anything else I can do.

[punch]

One more thing to add to that is i think it all boils down to me thinking too much about my car being the defect and that my luck would be to get the dysfunctional one. So, nice to meet you and thanks again for answering and listening to my crazy ranting cuz i know its over obsessive and i know where to come to get the good answers to all my worries from now on. Im off for the night, got a morning job that starts way too early =)


heres a tip, read the owners manual, tells you about that 'cool"light...

[eTiMaGo]

I like to think of that light as a daily reminder that you drive a cool car :biggrin:

Anyway, Meggiemobile, welcome to Yarisworld, you've gotten yourself a great little car and found a great little forum (well great most of the time :laugh:)

And moose, thanks for your insight on all this, this is what this place should be like all the time, people sharing knowledge and helping each other out :thumbsup:

[drifto]

Moose,

It's more of a pop, your right!! and what a great way to describe it.... Im not good at wording things. It's not drastic but loud enough to hear it and the only reason i was concerned was because it seems to happen everytime, but then again i've only had my car like less than a week. Im so glad you know the answers to these things.. Im such a worry wart when it comes to my first brand new car.. One more thing to bug you with is when letting your foot off the gas coming up to a stop light(in my old beater) i usually could let my foot off the brake and roll up to the stop. In my Yaris when i let my foot off the gas it slows down substantially faster than im used to and is kind of herky jerky(not real herky jerky, just a little) until i apply good brake in order to stop. Im sure thats normal and probably just me getting used to driving something other than my 94' Ford Escort LX...

the reason it slows down abruptly is b/c the ecu (computer) turns off the fuel supply (fuel cut) temporarily when you are braking. this is done for emissions related reasons, so that fuel isnt being consumed unnesesarily. so it saves you gas and helps the environment:biggrin: plus your transmission also downshifts if the situation permits. so, it is a good thing. nothing for you to worry about. hope this helps :smile:

[AaronATL]

warranty yes... correct?
then drive the sh*t out of it and don't worry about it
turn on radio extra loud so you do not hear the thud klunk
cool light will go out after it is warmed up
if it was low coolant it would have check engine or maint. req
shut up, just drive it... if you baby it now I can't wait
for the post at the 100,000 mark

[Moose]

BACK FROM THE DEAD!

http://coolest-homemade-costumes.shippony.com/images/spooky/zombies/zombie-03.jpg

:bellyroll:

[sonyarismeprius]

Thank you thank you for this post. Know it is old but my son just bought his first car, 2011 Yaris. I like to worry, am the queen of worry, and the dang coolant light had me worried! First car I know of that lets you know it is cold, that light staying on made me think maybe buying a used car was a mistake even if it was a Toyota! Now, I am relieved. Really like his Yaris and love my Prius!