Always wear safety goggles when working on your HHR. How Often Should You Replace Your Car's Radiator Fluid. How to check your coolant. Hi! It seems that just about once a month I need to add some. Every knowledgeable car owner will tell you that a coolant flush is required maintenance to keep your car in the best possible shape. Answer these questions and more by reading below! It could save you a lot of money and hassle. How often do you need a coolant flush? Removing the coolant reservoir cap on a warm engine could cause the cap to fly off at a high rate of speed and fluid to spray out of the reservoir. How often should I change the antifreeze in my car? Without a handbook to refer to, you should check with a dealer. Antifreeze does have lubricants in it that break down and you'll lose you protection on your water pump. About 90% of people in Saturn forums seem to have already switched to “the green stuff”. But, that's okay because it's still insured for $12k. Here we’ll help you to identify any problems with your engine coolant or coolant system by looking at everything from different coolant formulas, to how often you should check it and what to do if you suspect something is wrong. It was making this noise before, then my coil spring broke and I had a brand new one installed. Also, my right front tire is making a squeaking/grinding noise. Fill your reservoir with antifreeze up to the FULL line at the middle of the plastic tank, you don’t have to add water, because the water will evaporate in a few days and what is left is antifreeze which will not evaporate. Load more. But how often should you flush your coolant, and how much will a complete antifreeze change cost? These coolants will typically say 50/50 or pre-mixed on the front of the coolant bottle. A. A good-quality antifreeze of the ethylene-glycol type, with full anticorrosive additives, should be left undisturbed in the cooling system for about three years — summer and winter. All late model vehicles (with a couple of minor exceptions) are factory-filled with ethylene glycol-based antifreeze. I already bought the Dexcool but I am debating whether I should return them and make a switch to green too. The radiator fluid is perhaps the most vital part of your car's cooling system. A quick check suggests that your coolant is good for 50,000 to 100,000 kilometers! Think you're getting ripped off by your local quick lube joint? Antifreeze is a lot more than just the stuff that keeps your engine block from cracking when temperatures drop. If the coolant is low, top it off. There are many different types of coolant, so it’s important to know what variety is right for your car or truck. Coolant (by that I presume you mean anti-freeze and not just water) tends to be funny stuff. It's important to maintain your cooling system, which is why we recommend a coolant change every two years to prolong the life of your car. See, I owe a tonne of money, but if I maintain my cars value at under a set amount, they cannot take it. How to Put Antifreeze in a Car by Richard Rowe . The radiator fluid, or antifreeze coolant, is the liquid mixture of antifreeze and water that runs throughout your car's cooling system and helps keep your car engine cool while running. Keeping a proper coolant mixture and the correct level are vital to your car's health. Many modern cars will have a dashboard warning light to let you know if there's a problem with your coolant. Keep your engine running smoothly. Now put the cap back on nice and tight and you're ready for any weather. Milky or cloudy fluid is a sign that the fluid has been contaminated with oil, which indicates a serious problem with your engine. Always wait for the engine to cool completely before checking the coolant. Reply. In this video, I answer a simple car question: how often should you change your radiator coolant. So, a coolant leak or oil leak is classified as unroadworthy, which drops $3k off the price of your car. Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat. How often should i have to add antifreeze to my car. Car antifreeze and engine coolant are key to the safe and effective operation of your vehicle.In this guide, learn what these important fluids are, their types, their important role within your engine and how to solve problems with them, ensuring you can safely and effectively use these crucial fluids to protect your components and keep your car performing perfectly – whatever the weather. Could this be the same problem again with my … In the earliest days of the automobile, people kept their engines together in the winter by adding some alcohol to the cooling system. Many times, the coolant is actually branded for the car you’re going to put it in. Follow the coolant manufacturer’s directions for diluting concentrated coolant. Mix the coolant and water thoroughly in a clean bucket. Under normal circumstances you only need a coolant replacement at regular intervals. What Is Engine Coolant? Often only a top up is required, to substitute any fluid that has evaporated out of the system. My engine is leaking coolant, but I am letting it leak, because it devalues my car. Tip. Dear Car Talk ... theoretically, you could then put it back in the engine. As a general rule of thumb, you should get a coolant flush every 30,000 miles or three to five years, whichever comes first. Thanks!-BDP. Release the plug on the bottom of the radiator to drain the fluid, then replace the plug and refill the radiator with fluid. The radiator in your vehicle cools your engine and needs water and coolant (antifreeze) to function. The correct type of coolant for your car should be shown clearly in the vehicle handbook along with advice on recommended concentrations. How to Tell Whether Your Vehicle Needs a Tune-up. I am planning to service my 2002 Saturn SL2’s coolant. Engine coolant is vital to keeping your vehicle running smoothly so it’s important to know exactly how and why it’s put to use. I didn’t know people hated the stuff. If both the radiator and reservoir are low on coolant, it could signal a leak somewhere in the system. Pressurized coolant can spray and cause burns. How Often Should I Change My Car's Fluids? It should be no lower than the bottom of the radiator neck. As with all auto services, let your car’s owner’s manual dictate how often you need a flush. It only works BEST when at a 50% dilution with water. Your car's cooling system needs coolant to keep it from overheating. How often should I change the coolant in my Buick? It has Dexcool right now. There are a few issues that can result from a low coolant level, outside of the obvious overheating problems that led you to this point in the first place. For example, Honda sells its Type 2 Antifreeze/Coolant in all its dealers. Sometimes though, a full coolant change is needed if it is no longer in a good shape. To prevent mineral deposits on internal engine and radiator surfaces, always use distilled water—never tap water. Antifreeze should be close to a 50 percent mixture, depending on your climate and driving conditions. Coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water, which stops the engine from freezing in winter, and overheating in summer . But as a general rule, Kauffeld recommends a coolant service about every 30,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first. How often you change the coolant can also depend on how well you take care of your car and whether or not there are any underlying issues with it. BlueDevil Pro says : September 1, 2015 at 11:57 am Sam-Most manufacturers recommended a cooling system flush be done every 40,000 – 60,000 miles. If your system is losing coolant, it should be repaired. – fred_dot_u Mar 9 '18 at 16:26 @fred_dot_u In Toyota Prius, the engine coolant is first changed at 150 000 km, and the inverter coolant at 240 000 km. Here's everything you need to know about when to … Some coolants will come premixed-that is, you don't need to add any water. January 27, 2012. Reply. Top off the coolant reservoir. Check your engine coolant every couple of weeks so you can spot any problems early. Add fresh coolant slowly and clean up spills immediately. How Do I Know That My Car Needs a Coolant Change? The process to check coolant varies from car to car. Cleaning your system also get rid of any rust or contaminants you may have in the system, and keep the radiator from plugging up. 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