Why can coolant leaks be dangerous?

Coolant leaks can be particularly dangerous because they can lead to engine overheating, which can result in significant damage to the engine and potentially lead to costly repairs. When the coolant system is compromised due to a leak, the cooling system cannot effectively regulate the engine temperature. If the engine overheats, it can cause various problems, such as warping of engine components or even engine failure.

Additionally, coolant typically contains ethylene glycol, a substance that is highly toxic to animals. If animals ingest coolant from a leak, it can lead to serious health issues or even death, posing a risk not only to the vehicle’s performance but also to wildlife in the area.

In contrast, reasons such as improvement in vehicle performance or indicating a need for an oil change do not relate to the dangers posed by coolant leaks. Moreover, it is incorrect to claim that coolant leaks are harmless; they can have both severe mechanical consequences and environmental impacts.