I have an '06 Accord SE with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder. It's gotten rather cold here the past few nights and I've noticed that on a cold start, the coolant level seems lower in the reservoir. Is it normal for it to sink lower (below the MIN line) when the temp drops? The car never had a lot of coolant in it but when I bought it however it was above the MIN line on a cold start, though that was when it was much warmer outside. I have no coolant on the ground, my gas mileage is constant (no wierd fluctuations) and the car has 5400 miles on it, any ideas? One thing that does happen is that when the car is warmed up fully, the coolant level does go above the MIN line.

 

A little fluctuation isn't abnormal. Just bring it up to the minimum line when the engine is cold.

 

coolant level should always be measured when the ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMP. Checking it at that time ensures that the reading is accurate. Coolant levels are usually lower when the engine is cold.......

 

I always thought you should try to adjust it so it doesn't go below minimum when cold, but also doesn't go above maximum when hot.

 

coolant expands when it gets hot and if you put it in the middle when engine is at opertaing temp, it should be at or above the min mark when cold.....