Can You Add Water If the Antifreeze Is Low?
1 Answers
You cannot add water if the antifreeze is low. You must use the same brand of antifreeze. Different brands of antifreeze may have different production formulas, and mixing them may cause chemical reactions between various additives, rendering them ineffective. Method for replacing antifreeze: Before completely replacing the antifreeze, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any signs of leakage or cracks in the pipes, with a particular focus on the five-way hose. The five-way hose gets its name from the five connections it has to various parts of the car. The antifreeze flows through the five-way hose and is then distributed to different parts of the vehicle to perform its function. If there is any leakage of antifreeze in this section, replace the hose or reseal the connections as needed. Drain the old antifreeze, then flush the fluid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir and continue to pour water into the reservoir, allowing it to flow continuously through the engine cooling system. Then, start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. Initially, the water flowing out of the reservoir will be slightly pinkish. Continue adding clean water until the water coming out is clear. Remember to disconnect the heater hose and drain the water from the heater. After about an hour of draining, add the new antifreeze through the radiator hose to allow it to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another container of antifreeze to the antifreeze reservoir until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. At this point, the coolant level will drop slightly as air is expelled from the system. Top up the antifreeze until it reaches the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
