How To Put Coolant In A Car

Understanding how to put coolant in your car is essential for maintaining the performance of your cooling system and preventing engine problems. It is a simple task that, when completed correctly, can save your engine from overheating and save you some money (or possibly take it to your neighborhood technician).

how to put coolant in a car

Well, in this article, we’ll be looking at how to put coolant in a car. Nonetheless, the answers to the following question will get to be discussed:

  • What is the function of coolant in a car?
  • How often should you add coolant to your car?
  • What are the symptoms that your car needs coolant?
  • How can you put coolant in your car?

Read more: How to Add Antifreeze To A Car In Five Simple Steps

Ok, let’s dive in!

Contents

What is the function of coolant in a car?

Your car’s radiator contains engine coolant, a liquid solution of water, and antifreeze. It keeps your engine from freezing in extremely cold weather or overheating in hot weather, both of which can cause serious problems for an engine. In the cooling system of a car, it is customary to mix water and antifreeze 50/50, but this practice is not required.

Mixtures can be changed to either raise the boiling point or lower the freezing point limit due to the wide range of weather conditions that cars can operate in. In order to run the car safely in the current weather, this will match the mix. The perfect mixture is one that places the least amount of heat pressure on your engine.

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How often should you add coolant to your car?

Given that you should have enough coolant for another year, your high-temperature readings are somewhat alarming. Every 30,000 miles or two years, you should flush and refill your coolant. If the temperature readings on your car’s thermometer are much higher than usual, you may be losing coolant due to a leaking gasket or a broken hose. If so, you ought to visit a mechanic right away so they can do diagnostics.

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What are the symptoms that your car needs coolant?

Here are the most common signs and symptoms that you need coolant:

  • When the engine is operating, the temperature gauge displays a higher temperature than usual.
  • Antifreeze leaks and puddles (orange or green fluid) under your car
  • You notice that your car’s hood is making a grinding noise.
  • In the antifreeze/coolant fluid, flecks or pieces of rust begin to appear. Note that, in a case like this you need to flush and add a new coolant
  • The engine is emitting steam or a smell of boiling maple syrup.

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How can you put coolant in a car

how to put coolant in a car

When adding coolant to a vehicle, you will need a few tools and supplies to do the job properly:

  • Coolant – Make sure you use the correct type of coolant specified by your vehicle manufacturer.
  • Funnel – A funnel can help you avoid spilling the coolant when pouring it into the radiator or coolant reservoir.
  • Gloves – Coolant can be toxic and may cause skin irritation, so it’s a good idea to wear gloves when handling it.
  • Rag – Have a rag handy to wipe up any spills or drips that may occur.
  • Owner’s manual – The owner’s manual can help you locate the coolant reservoir and provide specific instructions for adding coolant to your particular vehicle.

Once you’re prepared, here’s how to put the coolant in your car:

  • After turning off the car, let the engine cool.
  • Locate the coolant or radiator reservoir.
  • Remove the coolant or radiator cap.
  • Drain the old coolant if desired.
  • Make the mixture for your coolant.
  • Add your engine coolant.
  • Do a leak check.

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After turning off the car, let the engine cool

Ensure the engine in your car is completely cool. Depending on the weather where you are and whether you just drove the car, this could take a few minutes to half an hour. In order to avoid serious scorching, your car should be cool.

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Locate the coolant or radiator reservoir

The coolant reservoir is a translucent-white container with tubes attaching it to the radiator and a metal or black screw-on cap. It typically sits behind the grill at the front of the engine and is marked with a fill range on the side.

Knowing where to look for it would suggest you’ve already found the radiator, which is normally located underneath the engine. For information on how to locate your radiator and reservoir accurately, consult your service handbook.

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Remove the coolant or radiator cap

Open the hood and find your vehicle’s radiator or coolant cap. In the engine bay, these caps typically have a more oval appearance than other circular caps.

Additionally, labels are now present on the radiator cap of more modern car models, making it simpler to see. When you locate the radiator/coolant cap, get ready to totally remove it.

Make sure the radiator or coolant cap is not hot before moving on to this step. If so, do not attempt to open it because doing so could allow pressurized gas or scorching liquid to violently escape, which could result in severe burns.

If the engine is a little cool, make sure you slightly loosen the reservoir or radiator cap to let out any trapped pressure (never open the cap fast).

Use a rag or thick piece of fabric to unscrew the cap for additional safety. Even when the engine is cool, wear protective goggles and gloves to prevent injury.

When twisting a radiator or coolant cap that is too tight, applying pressure can help it come loose. For more traction, you may also place a tiny rubber pad underneath the fabric you are using.

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Drain the old coolant if desired or if its contaminated

Most of the time, a refill restores low coolant levels to normal. Rarely, if ever, is it necessary to drain the old coolant unless it is contaminated or does not have the proper water-to-antifreeze ratio.

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Here’s how to drain old coolant if needed:
  • Lift and stabilize the front of your car with jack stands. Next, remove the radiator cap (or the pressure cap from the coolant tank if your radiator does not come with one) and set an adequate drain pan underneath the radiator, such as an oil pan, a disposable pail, or a bucket used exclusively for this reason.
  • Locate the drain cock on your car and unscrew it to let water out. The following types of drain cocks are available: screw threads, quarter-turn twist, and quarter-turn and pull. It is always advisable to consult your service handbook to see which type your automobile has.
  • When unscrewed, these drain cocks are also more likely to break as they age because they become more brittle. Before starting to drain your engine coolant, purchase a replacement drain cock from your neighborhood auto shop as a precaution.
  • To drain the remaining engine coolant, remove the engine hose and radiator hose clamp. Spring-style clamps can be removed by drawing the clamp away from the neck with slip-joint pliers.
  • Investing in these hose-clamp piers saves time and avoids painful knuckles, which are sometimes given to older vehicles. They also facilitate reaching and releasing the lower radiator clamps.
  • After completely emptying the old coolant into the drain pan, reconnect/clamp the radiator hose and replace the drain cock.

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Make the mixture for your coolant

Contrary to what many sites claim, coolant and antifreeze are not the same thing. What does a car’s coolant do? Water and antifreeze make up coolant, while antifreeze is one of the two elements required to create a coolant mixture.

Both components take in extra engine heat and release it through the radiator. A coolant mixture, however, has greater strength than pure antifreeze.

It is not required that you make your own coolant mixture. Large retail outlets or auto parts stores carry pre-mixed antifreeze solutions.

For some cars, some manufacturers may need an extended-life coolant, which might not be available at your neighborhood auto shop.

If so, make sure to purchase it from a dealer rather than choosing a less expensive option that won’t work for your automobile.

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Coolant mixture

If you know a lot about mechanics, feel free to mix your own antifreeze solution. The typical ratio for the majority of cars is 50:50, or part antifreeze, part water, however depending on the outside temperature, it could shift to 70:30.

However, the best (and safest) course of action is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the dilution of concentrated coolant, which is located on the back of the bottle.

When carefully blending the coolant and water in a clean bucket, be sure to avoid using tap water to avoid mineral deposits on the internal engine and radiator surfaces.

Among other best practices, remember to take your coolant protection level into account while consulting your service handbook for the ideal coolant mixture.

Testing your antifreeze’s freezing and boiling temperatures using an antifreeze hydrometer is required to determine your coolant protection level.

If the specific antifreeze solution you require is hard to find, never settle for a universal coolant. This could lead to early component failure and violate the car’s warranty.

Furthermore, these universal coolants frequently clash with the metal alloys, gaskets, and seals used in more recent vehicles. Manufacturers are somewhat tight about the coolant specifications for their cars for a very good reason.

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Add your engine coolant

Check the minimum (MIN) and maximum (MAX) lines on the side of the overflow tank or reservoir before adding the coolant. You should be able to determine your coolant level based on these markings.

Add the earlier made coolant mixture up to a few inches below the MAX or full marking on the coolant tank if the coolant level is low or close to the MIN indication.

However, if this happens and you are forced to pull over to the side of the road, you can use pure distilled water or, in a pinch, diluted coolant.

Where the coolant goes in a vehicle is a topic of some debate. The best way to refill engine coolant is through the coolant tank, never through the radiator.

It would be okay to top off the coolant through the radiator cap on older vehicles without an overflow tank, though (given the engine has already cooled down).

If you must follow this procedure for an older vehicle, slowly pour your coolant mixture into the radiator until it is one inch below the radiator’s neck.

When adding engine coolant, raising your car will help prevent the engine from developing air pockets. Whether you are filling your radiator with coolant in the garage or while driving, use a funnel to prevent spills.

In this manner, the coolant won’t leak on the ground or get on your skin. Keep in mind that this material is dangerous, so proceed with caution.

Once the radiator or coolant tank is fully filled, tighten the cap until you hear it click. At this point, you ought to be finished, but we still suggest taking this extra step.

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Perform a leak check

It is usual to check for leaks while adding engine coolant to the radiator. But in my opinion, it’s advisable to check for leaks or kinks after completing all the first tasks on this list.

The reason is adding new fluid to the radiator does not always reveal existing leaks. But when the new coolant has already been put through a warmed-up engine, it becomes more obvious.

In some cases, leaks go undetected, but after adding new fluid, the automobile starts to show indicators of low coolant. Bring your car to a licensed mechanic in situations like this so they can thoroughly check all the internal and external systems.

These include identifying the leak’s source and exploring all engine coolant tubes. Replace everything that is floppy, damaged, or puffy.

Make sure to properly dispose of used or old engine coolant. If your home drainage doesn’t connect to the sewer or wastewater system in your community, never flush it down the sink.

Instead, pour it into a plastic container with a screw cap and dispose of it at the closest wastewater treatment facility or recycling facility.

Get in touch with your local government office or an auto shop in your area for suggestions on how to properly dispose of coolant. Keep in mind that you should never dispose of used coolant in storm drains or on the premises.

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FAQs

Can I just add coolant to my car?

If the reservoir’s coolant level is low, you can top it off up to the maximum fill line but don’t overfill it. When the coolant mixture gets hot and needs more space, it expands. One approach to keep your radiator in good operating order is to keep your coolant at the proper amount.

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Do we add water to coolant?

Only in an emergency situation when the coolant liquid level is lower than it should be, should coolant be topped off with water. It shouldn’t be relied upon, but topping off with water will enable you to get safely to the closest RAC Approved Garage and detect any problems.

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Do you add coolant when car is hot or cold?

If an engine overheats and broke down, it might be necessary to replenish the cooling system with new coolant or antifreeze. However, you must always wait for the engine to cool before adding coolant or antifreeze.

How do I know if my car needs coolant?

Key Symptoms Your Car Needs a Coolant:

  • Coolant leaking.
  • Engine overheating.
  • There is steam coming from the engine.
  • Filthy or rusty-colored radiator fluid.

How do I know if my coolant is low?

“Open the hood when the engine has cooled off and look for the coolant reservoir. On the side of the coolant reservoir, there are F (full) and L (low) signs that indicate the coolant level.

Can I mix tap water with coolant?

It is safe to mix concentrate with high-quality tap water. Regional differences in tap water quality can be significant. To ensure a mixture free of contaminants, it is always safer to mix coolants with de-mineralized water.

How much water do you mix with coolant?

In general, mixing water and antifreeze 50/50 is a decent place to start. However, you might wish to take temperature into account while discussing climate. For instance, 50/50 may function better in more temperate locations where the temperature rarely falls below 32.

How long does coolant last in a car?

By failing to regulate the temperature, this degraded liquid might cause serious damage to your engine. Manufacturers advise frequently replenishing the coolant as a result. Changing the coolant is advised after the first 210,000 km (140,000 miles) or 120 months, and then every 30,000 km (20,000 miles) or 24 months after that.

What happens if you overfill coolant?

Your engine receives coolant, a fluid that aids in preventing overheating. In the worst-case situation, your engine may seize if it heats up above its typical operating temperature, necessitating a replacement. This can result in significant damage.

That is all for this article, where we looked at how to put coolant in a car. Nonetheless, we got to discuss the answers to the following questions:

  • What is the function of coolant in a car?
  • How often should you add coolant to your car?
  • What are the symptoms that your car needs coolant?
  • How can you put coolant in your car?

We hope it was helpful. If so, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!