Tesla Coolant Low Warning: How to React to Protect Your EV

It’s a sight that makes any Tesla owner’s heart sink – the dreaded “Coolant Low – Schedule Service” warning on the touchscreen display. This ominous message appears without warning and signals your coolant levels are below the ideal level. 

So, how do you react to Tesla coolant low warning? First, do not panic, as this warning does not necessarily spell doom for your car. If the warning is green or tells you “OK to drive,” continue driving. However, schedule for service as soon as possible. If the warning doesn’t tell you it’s okay to drive, have the car towed to service immediately.

This article is all about the Tesla coolant low warning. We’ll discuss the impacts of this warning, its causes, and how to troubleshoot it. 

Tesla Coolant Low Warning Explained

The “Coolant Low” warning indicates insufficient coolant levels in the vehicle’s cooling system. Teslas use a mixture of antifreeze and water to regulate the temperature of the battery pack and other components. 

There are two types of coolant low warnings. They include the following:

• Coolant Low – OK To Drive, Schedule Service: This appears with a yellowish-green triangle icon on the touchscreen when coolant drops beyond the recommended level. The levels are not dangerously low, so you can continue driving. 
• Vehicle Coolant Low: This is preceded by a red triangle warning. It indicates that the warning is dangerously low and immediate action is needed. You have a few minutes before the vehicle turns itself off. 

Causes of Tesla Coolant Low Warning

Tesla indicates that the coolant is not meant to be replaced in the entire life of the vehicle. So, what causes this warning? Well, here, the error is caused by the following factors:

1. Bad Coolant Temperature Sensor

A faulty coolant temperature can trigger the “Coolant Low” warning erroneously, even when coolant levels are okay. This is because it sends incorrect data to the car computer with temperature values higher than they really are. 

2. Coolant Leaks

Coolants develop leaks gradually on your Tesla due to various reasons. One is that hose clamps may loosen slightly over months of vibrations. Pipes under the car may also have hairline cracks or fractures. Control valves, seals, and gaskets might also become faulty, leading to leaks. 

3. Software Glitches

As you already know, Teslas operates on complex integrated software that monitors and regulates all the functions and systems. Problems with the hardware or code could cause this erroneous warning in some cases. For instance, the system might have an overly sensitive response to insignificant coolant level drops.

4. Blocked Coolant Lines

Blockages in the coolant system circulation mimic the effects of low fluid levels and trick sensors into activating the light. With restricted flow, the liquid struggles to properly regulate temperature as designed. 

The accumulation of rust particles, mineral deposits, and other debris causes this. Hoses can also collapse internally in the case of an accident, and they aren’t replaced after the accident.

5. Pump Failure

The electric coolant pump circulates the liquid through the battery pack and electronics to absorb and transfer heat. If it fails to function, it will mimic the effects of low coolant levels. The failure could be a result of a motor burnt out, a damaged impeller, a stuck pump due to sludge, loose wiring, or control relay failure. 

Manufacturer-Recommended Solution for Coolant Low Warning

Tesla gives warranty for all its vehicles. One thing that is not covered by the warranty is damage when attempting to open the cooling system. So, the manufacturer strongly advises against any DIY solution to coolant warning. 

Instead, follow these steps at the first sign of a yellow “Coolant Low – OK to drive: warning:

• Continue driving for only short necessary trips until serviced. 
• Schedule a service appointment through the Tesla Mobile app or by contacting a service center as soon as possible. 

If the red “Vehicle Coolant” appears, follow these steps:

• Pull over and stop driving the vehicle immediately. 
• If you are in the middle of nowhere, continue driving, but know that you have a few minutes before the vehicle shuts itself down. So drive towards the nearest town. 
• Do not drive the vehicle aggressively. In fact, change the acceleration mode to “Chill.” This reduces battery heating and acceleration time to 60 mph. The result is reduced strain on the batteries. 
• If the vehicle shuts itself in the middle of the road, use the Tesla mobile app to summon official roadside assistance if available. 
• If the roadside assistance is out of reach in your area, call a towing company to have the car transported directly to a Tesla service center for repair.

DIY Solution for Refilling Tesla Coolant

If your car is out of warranty and you get the low coolant warning light, fixing it yourself can save on costly repair bills. Here is a DIY process for addressing this issue:

What you’ll need:

• Coolant designed for Tesla (For most models, it’s the G48 coolant)
• Funnel for adding coolant

Step 1: Locate the Coolant Reservoir

The coolant reservoir is in the front trunk. Pop the hood and look towards the front. Open the cover that covers the coolant reservoir. It is just at the end of the trunk. 

Step 2: Check the Coolant Level

While the vehicle is cold, open the reservoir. Check the level; it should be at the MAX line when the vehicle battery pack is cold. If it’s not at this level, it is low and needs to be refilled.

Step 3: Top Up the Coolant

Add the EV coolant to the reservoir to the MAX line. Once done, put the cap back on securely. 

Here is a YouTube video to demonstrate the procedure. 

Note: 

If you have leaks or any other problems like bad coolant pumps, sensors, software glitches, and so on, refilling the coolant fixes nothing. In this case, we recommend that you take the vehicle to the Tesla auto shop for further diagnosis. The same is the case if you have added coolant, but you still have the error. 

FAQs

Here are answers to questions that might come up in the process:

Conclusion

So, there you have it: Tesla coolant low warning implies that your battery coolant is below the ideal level. It could also be caused by software glitches, sensor errors, leaks, and so forth, as discussed above. 

Fixing the coolant system by yourself is out of the question unless the car warranty has expired. Also, if the car warranty has expired, the most you can do is topping up the fluid. For things like sensor errors, software glitches, and so on, you need to take the car to a Tesla service center.