1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Driving without coolant......

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Bumblebeetuna, Apr 23, 2020.

  1. Bumblebeetuna

    Bumblebeetuna Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    30
    3
    0
    Location:
    Adairsville GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Hey guys I drained my coolant, Then decided I needed to move the car. Engine came on for maybe 15 seconds or so, think that’s ok???
     
    #1 Bumblebeetuna, Apr 23, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,133
    50,050
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    won't effect anything until the engine goes above the max temp. that takes quite awhile, you're fine.
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 23, 2020
    Bumblebeetuna, SFO and Mendel Leisk like this.
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,790
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Yes. Not a problem.
    Unless you dribbled a trail of coolant down the driveway where animals can lap it up.
    It is POISON if ingested and tastes sweet.
     
    #3 sam spade 2, Apr 23, 2020
    Bumblebeetuna likes this.
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    24,906
    16,213
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I wouldn't want to be a person that happened to, but if I were, I guess I would just fill it carefully back up, drive it easily for a bit to see if anything seemed changed, and if not, just be thankful for the luck.

    It's a little more complicated than just "until the engine goes above the max temp" ... the temperature sensor is in one place on the engine, and if there's no coolant there to circulate, it isn't reading what matters. The hottest spots develop over the tops of the cylinders (which can be a trouble area even with coolant filled, if it spot-boils and makes little steam pockets in those spots).

    But I would just go ahead and drive it some and if it seems ok, say a word of thanks and relax.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Apr 23, 2020
    Bumblebeetuna, GrGramps and Mendel Leisk like this.
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,855
    6,658
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    15 seconds?

    No problem....
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Apr 23, 2020
    Bumblebeetuna likes this.
  6. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2016
    1,097
    563
    0
    Location:
    MSP
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    15seconds is all??? No worries man!
     
    #6 05PreeUs, Apr 24, 2020
    Bumblebeetuna likes this.
  7. Bumblebeetuna

    Bumblebeetuna Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    30
    3
    0
    Location:
    Adairsville GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Thanks everyone for the replies, I believe I killed an outboard boat motor once running it out of water for about that long or maybe a few more seconds.............
     
    #7 Bumblebeetuna, May 6, 2020
  8. Bumblebeetuna

    Bumblebeetuna Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    30
    3
    0
    Location:
    Adairsville GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    thanks, quite aware of that aspect especially after the case here in ga of that woman that killed several husbands with it over time.......
     
    #8 Bumblebeetuna, May 6, 2020
    bisco likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)