Anti-freeze problems...

[cpals]

Around a week ago my wife told me that a light came on, but she couldn't remember which one and she hasn't seen it since then. So yesterday we were driving the interstate and the low coolant light came on and also the engine temp gauge was moving up and down pretty steadily depending on if we were moving, etc. I bought some anti freeze just in case, got home and checked the compartment that keeps the coolant. It was bare dry...

Is there any way this could happen without having a leak? I filled it back up using almost the whole jug and am going to check it every day or two.

Also, it's a 2001 4-door Cavalier.

Thanks.

 

[PottedMeat]

Check for coolant in your oil if you don't see any coolant dripping under your car.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
Check for coolant in your oil if you don't see any coolant dripping under your car.

That would be the first thing to check.
It also sounds like your fans aren't kicking on when they should.
Once you refill it with coolant idle the car until it gets to normal operating temp (about halfway on the temp gauge) and see if the fans kick on as it idles. If the temp keeps rising and your fans don't kick on then you should look in to what the problem with them is.

 

[Vette73]

Yep if the fans are not coming on then you run it hot when not moving and it can boil over the coolant and lose a lot there.

But there are plenty of places and ways to lose coolant.

 

[Jugernot]

When you say you used almost the whole jug.... did you used premixed or straight coolant?

Jugs

 

[cpals]

A 50/50 mix.