Coolant tank amount

[supton]

Been taking the Camry in for pre-paid service; it ran out recently. Up until then all I had bothered looking at was the oil once in a while, like once or twice a month. Just never thought to check the other fluids. This weekend I checked the oil (fine); but noticed the coolant tank was empty. It was probably 40F, may have been colder that night; and on the prepaid service it was always brought in piping hot, right after a highway run.

Wife took car for a spin, and I checked after she got back (car at full temp, but after sitting 10-15min). Between H and L range, but below halfway.

I'm guessing I need to get some long-life Toyota coolant and top it off a bit; but I'm a bit surprised that it needs some. Is it possible that it's just never been quite full enough? As in, it always had "enough" when it came in, and thus was never touched?

 

[JamesBond]

Yes its possible. Those coolant tanks can be small and coolant just disappears out of them over time it seems. Just top it off.

 

[Rand]

I usually need about 4-6oz a year or so in my 2011 subaru.
It has the non-pressurized reservoir and a fairly loose fitting lid.

I bought a gallon of Premix-subaru super blue.. for..........30$
topped it up took about 16oz and was overfull.(at the full hot line when cold vs the full cold line 2-3" below)

After another 6 months its almost down to the full cold line

I'd say its pretty normal.

The bottle is very skinny and tall.

 

[scurvy]

You never had this happen with your Jetta?

My Golf and the NB both 'lose' coolant in the pressurized overflow tanks during the first cold snap. Took maybe 300 mL in each to bring them back up to above L when cold and below F when hot.

Top it up and motor on. You could likely just use distilled water for now if you don't have any of Toyota's coolant on hand.

 

[hypervish]

You're going to have to top that off occasionally. Probably once a year.

 

[supton]

Jetta has always been odd, ever since I had the first timing belt done. After the first TB it has always chimed the low coolant light in cold weather (10F and below), and it is low, right at the L level. But I had put it at the 1/2 mark in summer; when summer would come back it would again be at the 1/2 mark. I just ignore the warning, since it was filled in the summer to the halfway level, and then will be back to that level in summer again--I figure, if I top it off in winter it will be overfull in summer.

Maybe the Jetta is more sealed on the tank, relative to the Camry?

I'll just get some coolant on the way home and top it off, and keep an eye it.

 

[SatinSilver]

Have the Toyota dealer top it off and save $20. Put that $20 towards fuel. The dealer here is good about topping it off for me when I ask. But keep an eye on it to make sure you don't have a leaking water pump. Which maybe some what common on your car.