What's going on with my coolant?

This is exactly why he should go to the dealer. Its a brand new 40k+ truck. Let them deal with it.

 

The little crustyness on that hose is somewhat normal, mine will form that after a hard drive up the mountain in 90°+ weather and the AC running. There's no clamp on that hose. Both my 2nd and 3rd gens do this.


Now being low on coolant, this is not normal. You can add some and keep and eye on it, or take it strait to the dealer where they'll likely fill it and send you on your way. However, it'll be documented if you take it to the dealer.

 

Update: I ended up taking it to the dealer after work yesterday. They said this happens sometimes because the factory fills up the coolant but doesn't wait for the air to come out by running the engine. This causes it to be low once the air bubbles out. That's also potentially why there's crusted coolant on the outside (or that could be unrelated). They filled it back up and I'm just going to check on it periodically.

 

Sound advice.

 

I would still add a hose clamp to it. I added one of the pinch kide to mine when I bought it new 4 years ago.

 

I'd be asking why that dealer didn't check it as part of the PDI.....

 

Is the underfilling of fluids, for example: coolant, oil, or ATF a known or common issue to be cautious of when picking up a new truck?
With power steering, brake, windshield washer fluid, coolant (overflow tank anywhere / somewhere between Full and Low) or oil levels, I'm competent to check these myself. When the truck is presented before paperwork signing, I'm not sure how to verify the transmission fluid level (unless there is a dipstick up front in the engine compartment for that). Is the only method there to get under the truck, find the fill plug, sing a tune and hop on one leg?

 

That works too.