Engine Coolant Temperature

[djino]

Hi everyone,

I dont know much about cars so I'm not sure if the issue I have is serious or not. I purchased my 2007 Yaris at the end of May (a month and a half ago). Just last week wednesday for the first time when I started my car, a green light came on. I looked up the symbol in the manual which referred to the Engine Coolant Temperature. The light went away after about 5 minutes of the engine running.

This has continued to happened each and every time I start my car. The light comes on, and then goes away after 5 minutes.

I contacted my local toyota service department, and they say this is normal. But if it is, I dont understand why this has only began last week after having the car a month and a half.

I had a friend check the coolant level, and its full and normal. He suspects it could be a bad Sensor.

What do you all think?

djino
"Dont know much about cars..yup"

[Doc Zaius]

Hey from Ottawa!!

Ok... that light is just telling you that your engine is cool / cold. When it's really warm out, my light doesn't even come on sometimes. But in the winter, it'll stay on for the first 5 minutes or so of driving (unless I plug in my block heater). The light goes off when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. I just try to not push the car too hard until that light has gone off... it's a good indication of when everything is warmed up properly!

Hope that helps! :thumbsup:

[YarisTom73]

This light just tells you when the engine is "cold"..meaning, not completely warmed up. It is safe to drive and is no cause for concern...it's a good thing! As far as it just starting to occur now, (and I do this hoping not to offend anyone) could you possibly have just not noticed it till now? :iono:
Unless another light indicating an overheat condition appears, I'd pay no mind. :thumbsup:

[YarisTom73]

Hey from Ottawa!!

Ok... that light is just telling you that your engine is cool / cold. When it's really warm out, my light doesn't even come on sometimes. But in the winter, it'll stay on for the first 5 minutes or so of driving (unless I plug in my block heater). The light goes off when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. I just try to not push the car too hard until that light has gone off... it's a good indication of when everything is warmed up properly!

Hope that helps! :thumbsup:

Sorry Doc, I guess we were writing in sync :redface:

[PetersRedYaris]

I think this light is one of the coolest features of our cars and believe every new car should have one. I think all new Toyotas have it, but not certain.

[sherryberry]

I have this going on too. It will go away but it seems that it'll come on for like less than a minute if I haven't started the car in a while but it doesn't stay on if I had it running not too long ago. So you're not alone.

[Doc Zaius]

Sorry Doc, I guess we were writing in sync :redface:

No worries! :biggrin:


I think this light is one of the coolest features...

:bellyroll:

[sf180th]

I noticed this as well, the light stays on untill your collant tempature reaches 128-130F this has been confirmed by many other yaris owners who have a scan gauge installed, it's nothing to worry about.

[djino]

I'm just surprized it comes on during the hot weather we're having. especially today when its almost 30 degrees.

And i'm 95% sure this never started occuring before last week.

[fu_im_from_texas]

...The light comes on, and then goes away after 5 minutes...."

...perfectly healthy...perfectly normal...

[sherryberry]

I'm just surprized it comes on during the hot weather we're having. especially today when its almost 30 degrees.

And i'm 95% sure this never started occuring before last week.

Mine's been doing that even under 90-100 F weather. Even when the sun's been shining on it.. I'm not entirely sure why but you're not alone!

[djino]

Thanks y'all. Its good to know.

djino
"Ugly storm coming through Ottawa at the moment :("

[eTiMaGo]

I'm just surprized it comes on during the hot weather we're having. especially today when its almost 30 degrees.

ahhahah even here in the tropics, with the car under the blazing sun in the hottest days of the year (near 40 degrees C), the light still comes on...

[brickhardmeat]

bailout has some kind of solar warming device, I wonder if his starts cold? registers cold?

[ricky2k1]

i was told that while that light is on, the car uses an electric heater to heat the interior on cold days and when the car is warmed up, it switches back to using the coolant.

[gsalsiri]

Yes this is normal, but if the light remains on after a period of driving, you should get it checked out.

[gonzo452001]

Don't think there is a electric heater in my usa yaris in fact I am sure there is not.Could be in canada gets a lot colder up there the coldest it got here in southern Indiana last winter was +1F

[YarisTom73]

Don't think there is a electric heater in my usa yaris in fact I am sure there is not.Could be in canada gets a lot colder up there the coldest it got here in southern Indiana last winter was +1F

Mine has the "Cold weather package", perhaps this is included in that? It gives me a larger washer container, a heavy-duty heater, and a heavy-duty starter, according to the window sticker :iono:

[Moore]

We have had 30+ temps out west(today was 33), and when I started it up the cool light came on, and was gone in less than 2 blocks. No worries.