If you have seen symptoms of a lack of coolant in the engine cooling system, then before you refill, you need to deal with several important issues which will depend on its further performance. Find out what type of coolant you should put in your car (not all fluids are compatible), check for leaks, and follow a clear sequence when topping up.
If the expansion tank is empty, you can not just take any coolant to fill up to the max mark. Firstly, you can just transfer money, with a strong leak it will pour out again, and secondly, apart from the main cooling function antifreeze reduces the load on the individual engine parts, and also prevents corrosion on their surfaces. It is provided by special additives in liquid. That is why a wrong choice of top-up liquid for a long period of exploitation may damage your car.
What kind of coolant to refill?
When changing or topping up, it is always advisable to use only the coolant recommended by your car manufacturer (may be listed on the expansion tank or in the service manual).
Failure to do so can result in a malfunction of the cooling system.
The main types that are used in cars are:
Antifreeze type
- Compounds that belong to the hybrid group — hybrid, hybrid coolants, HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology), such as G-11;
- Carboxylate coolants, OAT (Organic Acid Technology), such as G-12 and G-12+;
- Lobrid-type antifreeze, the most advanced, such as G-12++ and G-13.
Therefore, only hybrids can be mixed with hybrids, carboxylates with carboxylates and lobrids with lobrids. Mixing coolant of different classes is strictly prohibited. The only exception is G12+ antifreeze, which can be added to G11 and G12 fluids.
Remember that coolant is sold in stores in two formulas — completely ready for filling into the cooling system and as a concentrate. Pay attention to this as pure concentrate must not be added to the existing coolant in the vehicle system. Even if they are of the same class. Therefore, if you bought concentrated antifreeze, dilute it with distilled water according to the instructions on the package. The required proportion is usually dictated by the freezing point.
Is it possible to add water to the antifreeze?
With regard to the question about the possibility of adding water to the antifreeze, there are many opinions. I will take the liberty to say that you can add water to the coolant, but there are a couple of important points that must be taken into account.
Instructions on the package for the addition of de-steeled water for VW Group concentrate
Firstly, the water must be distilled or at least well filtered. This is to prevent the elements in the fluid from clogging the engine cooling system and reacting chemically with the additives in the antifreeze.
Secondly, you can add just a little water — 100… 200 ml. Otherwise, it will lose its operational features (critical in winter). Therefore it is possible to use water as a refill liquid only in extreme cases when the level in the system fell to a critical point, and you have no analogical coolant on hand. And sometimes topping up the antifreeze with distilled water can be even a better solution than adding any other coolant.
Distilled water does not impair its performance. Adding water to the level may only lower the freezing and boiling point, but in most cases, it is not that important. Later, if necessary, you can add a little concentrated antifreeze.
During the hot season lack of liquid 200 — 300 ml is normal and allows you to add distilled water without any consequences, as water evaporates from the system first of all, and only then the ethylene glycol. But if you are short of 0.5 liter or more, only antifreeze is needed! When it comes to drinking water you cannot pour it in because it leads to corrosion and engine damage!
When to refill the coolant?
There are several reasons why it is necessary to refill. Specifically:
Vérifier son niveau de liquide refroidissement: video
- A visible drop in the level of antifreeze in the system. This phenomenon can occur at any time due to a leak on the body of the expansion tank, radiator, connections, and so on. If the level has dropped below the L (LOW) mark, it should be topped up to the FULL mark.
- The safety release valve on the expansion tank will intermittently operate. This indicates that the antifreeze is no longer working properly and is not absorbing the required amount of thermal energy.
Remember that if the coolant level is insufficient, it is not able to cool the engine and it will overheat (the temperature needle will go up), the properties of the antifreeze itself will be lost quicker. If the engine has already boiled (from under the hood went out steam, and the temperature gauge in the red zone), the refill may not help, often the consequence of such overheating is a number of malfunctions in the engine!
How to refill Engine Coolant correctly?
The procedure is as follows:
- For refilling it is desirable to put the car on a slope so its front part is higher (it will allow avoiding aeration of the system).
- Take a rag and having covered the cap of the expansion tank slowly unscrew the cap.
- Take a container with selected coolant and pour a thin stream into the tank so that at the same time the air in the system comes out and no air lock is formed.
- Fill to about ⅔ of the tank volume, closer to the maximum mark. After that, start the engine and let it run for 3 to 5 minutes. During this time the coolant will spread through the system and the level in the tank may drop. This procedure will need to be repeated until the fluid stops flowing below the minimum mark.
- After completing the procedure, use a rag to get rid of possible coolant splashes on the surface of the tank or other elements in the engine compartment, and screw the tank cap on.
How To Top Up Your Car Engine Coolant and Water — Simple Steps: video
When topping up, pay attention to the color of the fluid in the tank, and whether there is any sludge. If the antifreeze has turned brown, or you see any debris, we recommend not just topping up, but completely replacing the fluid. If you see fat stains on the surface or even worse, brown emulsion, it is a sign of oil. Most likely it will be necessary to change the gasket under the cylinder head or oil cooler (if any), and then flush the system with distilled water and special fluid.
FAQ
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How do I know if I'm low on coolant?
Most common effects of low coolant:
Engine overheats. Collant always pulls heat away.
Sudden engine shut off.
Blow of the head gasket.
The temperature gauge is very high or already red.
A sweet odor appeared.
Faulty air conditioning system.
The fault of Coolant Level Sensor has appeared. -
Can I use water instead of coolant?
Water does not absorb heat effectively enough. It cannot function as antifreeze because it does not have boiling and freezing temperature range. Since water cannot protect your car engine well, we recommend using water as a coolant only as a last resort.
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Why is the coolant reservoir empty?
Coolant can disappear because of a tiny hole in the radiator, a cracked hose, or a faulty water pump. Coolant also leaks because it evaporates through the defroster.
We recommend you not to throw away the antifreeze canister. In case there is still liquid there, you can refill it in the future. And if the canister was left empty — you will always have at hand information about what brand of coolant was used. Accordingly, in the future you can buy a new similar composition, and not to wonder whether it can be mixed with what was poured into the tank before.
