Turn off Engine and Check Coolant Level Warning: What to do?

The “Turn off Engine and Check Coolant Level” warning in Audi cars typically indicates low coolant, often due to leaks or sensor issues. Solutions include topping up coolant to recommended levels, addressing visible leaks or radiator problems, and ensuring you use coolant.

For Audi owners, the “Turn off Engine and Check Coolant Level” warning is actually pretty common. However, while the warning might be common, its implications are pretty serious, and prompt action is necessary.

In this article, we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about the warning and how to solve it easily. Let’s begin!

Key Takeaways:

The warning is a common issue in Audis, signaling potential coolant problems.
Causes range from low coolant levels to sensor malfunctions, with solutions including topping up coolant and addressing leaks.
Ignoring the warning can lead to overheating and engine damage, emphasizing the need for prompt action and diagnostics.

Turn Off Engine and Check Coolant Level Warning: Quick Overview

Before we dive into the details, let’s have a quick overview of the issues, the symptoms, and how to solve them.

Problem	Symptoms	Solution
Low Coolant Level	Warning light, overheating engine	Top up coolant, check for leaks, and fix accordingly
Coolant Leaking	Coolant puddles under the car, overheating engine	Locate and repair the leak, replace damaged parts
Faulty Coolant Sensor	False warning, no visible issues	Replace the sensor
Incorrect Coolant Type	Warning light, engine issues	Drain and replace the coolant with the right type
Cooling system airlock	Inconsistent temperature, gurgling sounds	Bleed air from the cooling system, ensure proper circulation

In short, these are the reasons why you might be seeing the “turn off engine warning”. Now that we’ve laid out the basics, let’s dive into it!

Before we go, here’s a video outlining the issues that you might find beneficial:

Detailed Solutions

When it comes to the Turn Coolant Off warning, it’s mostly a preventive measure from your vehicle to let you know something is wrong. This is your cue to act accordingly and get your vehicle back in order.

Here are the detailed causes for the issues and how to solve them-

Reason 1: Low Coolant Levels

Generally, coolant levels can be checked by the markings on the side of your tank. There are “Min” and “Max” guidelines for you to keep the coolant levels in check. If it goes below the “Min”, it means the coolant needs to be changed.

For this reason, you need to know the recommended coolant levels of your engine

Solution:

Safely pull over your vehicle. Then, turn off the engine immediately to prevent overheating.
Make sure the engine has cooled down before opening the hood.
Carefully check the coolant level in the expansion reservoir when the engine is cool.
If the coolant level is below the “MIN” mark, add the recommended coolant until it reaches between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
Make sure to use the coolant recommended for your Audi vehicle (e.g., G13 Audi Coolant) to ensure compatibility.
Once done, wait for a few minutes for the coolant to set. Then, restart the vehicle and check everything again.

Reason 2: Coolant Leaking

Coolant leaks in an Audi can occur due to damaged hoses, a faulty radiator, or issues with the water pump, among other factors. Detecting a coolant leak typically involves visually inspecting the engine bay and the ground beneath the vehicle for signs of coolant puddles or stains.

Additionally, monitoring the coolant level in the expansion reservoir and checking for a persistent “Turn off Engine and Check Coolant Level” warning on the dashboard can help identify coolant leak issues.

Also, different issues like rocker arm failure can cause the engine to malfunction and the coolant to overheat. So, check that as well!

Solution:

A leaking coolant can be very dangerous to deal with by yourself. You need to find the source of the leak, get it fixed, and make sure everything is in order. Generally, leaks are found in either the radiator, hose, or other smaller components.

For this reason, we recommend consulting a mechanic whenever you see puddles of coolant around your car. It’s not recommended to do it by yourself because of the risks involved both to yourself and your vehicle.

Reason 3: Faulty Coolant Sensor

Sometimes, the warning might come, not due to any problems, but due to problems with the senor. If you get repeated warnings with no sign of trouble, it might be that your sensor is the one at fault.

Furthermore, if your engine light is illuminated, it could also be due to a faulty coolant sensor. So, we recommend running your system through a diagnostic tool at your dealership if you can’t detect any issues by yourself.

You might also face issues with your parking brake due to faulty sensors. Keep that in check as well!

Solution:

If you have a faulty sensor, you need to get it replaced it as soon as possible. The steps of replacement are-

Refer to your Audi instruction manual to locate the coolant sensor. Generally, it’s near the engine gauge.
Then, disconnect the engine’s electrical connector and remove the sensor from the mold.
Install a new coolant sensor that’s compatible with your model, and reconnect the electric connector
Clear any error codes with an OBD-II scanner. This should get your new sensor up and running.

For context, you can watch this video

Reason 4: Incorrect Coolant Type

Another common reason for the warning is choosing the incorrect type of coolant. Generally, there are manufacturer-recommended coolants for each vehicle. If your coolant doesn’t match, the engine can start overheating, thus showing the warning constantly.

In this case, the option is to change the coolant as soon as possible and replace it with the suggested coolant.

Solution:

The steps for replacing coolant include-

Ensure safety by parking on a level surface with the engine off and cooled down.
Locate the radiator drain valve, typically at the radiator’s bottom. Position a large drain pan beneath the drain valve to collect the coolant.
Carefully open the radiator drain valve counterclockwise to start draining the coolant. Allow all the coolant to drain into the pan; opening the coolant reservoir cap can aid the process.
Make sure to dispose of the toxic coolant according to local regulations. Then, close the radiator drain valve by gently tightening it clockwise, avoiding over-tightening.
If necessary, refill the cooling system with the appropriate coolant for your Audi. Follow the recommended procedure to bleed air from the cooling system.
Start the engine and check for coolant leaks, topping off the expansion reservoir if needed.

Once the coolant has been changed, make sure to give your car some rest before starting again. If you notice any puddles or spills, instantly get the help of a mechanic.

Reason 5: Coolant System Airlock

A coolant system airlock can occur due to various factors such as improper coolant bleeding during maintenance, coolant leaks leading to air ingress, or a malfunctioning radiator cap.

This trapped air can hinder the cooling system’s efficiency, potentially causing overheating and other issues.

Solution:

In this case, you need to remove the air from the cooling system. The steps include-

Park your vehicle in a safe location and let the engine cool down.
Locate the coolant reserve and slowly open the cap to release any built-up pressure.
Top up the coolant up to the recommended level.
Start the engine and let it idle with the top off for a few minutes.
Squeeze the radiator hose to release air bubbles, and close the cap once the engine reaches the optimum temperature.
Add more coolant if necessary.

In short, these are the ways to deal with the coolant airflow issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Do You Check Coolant Levels with the Engine On or Off?

Always check your coolant level when the engine is turned off and cooled down. Higher temperatures create higher pressure and cause more harm than good.

Can Low Coolant Cause the Engine to Shut Off?

If the coolant goes beyond a certain level, the engine will start overheating. As a result, the car will automatically shut off

Can I use Water Instead of Coolant?

While water can be used as a short-run alternative to coolant, it won’t protect your engine. Rather, using water for too long can cause permanent damage to the engine.

Conclusion

The coolant plays a critical part in the well-being of your engine. If there are any issues with your coolant, it will instantly show a warning and tell you to shut off the engine. Thus, you need instant attention.
In this article, we’ve discussed all that you need to know about the “Turn engine off and Check Coolant” warning! We hope you find this article helpful!