What should you do if you notice a coolant leak while parked?

• A. Do not operate if leakage is detected; locate leak and repair.
• B. Continue driving slowly to the nearest shop.
• C. Ignore leak if the engine temperature is normal.
• D. Add coolant from the exterior while the engine is hot.

Answer: (B)

A coolant leak means the cooling system isn’t keeping the engine cool, so the priority is to stop driving and get the vehicle inspected and repaired before it’s used again. Park in a safe spot, turn off the engine, and avoid driving further until the leak is diagnosed. If it’s safe to look, note where the leak is for the technician. Don’t assume the engine is fine just because the temperature gauge is normal—loss of coolant can lead to overheating suddenly. Also, never add coolant from the outside while the engine is hot; openings in a hot cooling system can cause burns and pressure-related injury. The safest approach is to stop, assess, and arrange repair rather than continuing to drive.