How Long Does It Take to Replace Antifreeze?
2 Answers
For ordinary family cars, it is generally recommended to replace the antifreeze every two years or 40,000 kilometers. The replacement cycle can be determined based on actual usage conditions; if the vehicle is used intensively, it may need to be replaced earlier. The steps to replace antifreeze are as follows: 1. First, conduct a comprehensive inspection to check for any signs of leakage in the pipes, cracks, or other issues. If no problems are found, drain the old antifreeze and then flush the liquid channels with clean water. 2. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir, then continuously inject water into the reservoir to allow it to flow through the engine cooling system. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. (Note: Do not forget to remove the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core.) 3. 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 reservoir until it is almost full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. At this point, as some air is expelled from the cooling system, the fluid level will drop. Add more antifreeze until it reaches the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
I just had my coolant replaced last week, and the whole process took a little over an hour. The mechanic first lifted the car, located the drain valve at the bottom of the engine, and spent about fifteen minutes draining the old fluid. Then, he carefully flushed the radiator pipes with clean water—this step requires attention to detail, as residual old fluid can corrode the new coolant. When refilling the new coolant, it's done in two stages: first, filling to the standard level, then starting the engine to circulate the coolant. After the cooling fan kicks in, the engine is turned off for a top-up to remove air pockets. Finally, a thorough check for leaks in the system is essential. Doing it yourself might take even longer—just waiting for the engine to cool down could take half an hour, and opening the valve on a hot engine risks burns.
