How many liters of antifreeze should be added to Wuling Zhiguang?
3 Answers
When there is no antifreeze at all in Wuling Zhiguang, 4.5 liters should be added. Antifreeze replacement cycle: For vehicles that run for long periods, such as taxis, high-quality antifreeze should generally be replaced once a year. For vehicles with shorter running times, it can be replaced every two years or every 30,000 kilometers. To prevent excessive foam formation, which reduces the heat exchange efficiency between the antifreeze and engine components, ensure the product is within its validity period when adding it. Long-lasting antifreeze can have a validity period of up to three years. If suspended particles, sediment, or signs of deterioration or discoloration are found in the antifreeze, it should be replaced promptly, and the system should be cleaned. Antifreeze replacement method: Drain the old antifreeze, then flush the liquid channels with clean water. 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. The water initially flowing out of the reservoir will have a faint pink color. Continue adding clean water until the outflowing water is clear. Note: Do not forget to remove the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core. After about an hour of draining, add new antifreeze through the radiator hose to allow it to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another bottle of antifreeze to the 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.
I've been driving the Wuling Zhiguang for almost five years, so I have some experience with coolant replacement. According to the maintenance manual, a complete refill requires about 5 liters. However, in my actual operation, I first drain the old coolant and then slowly refill through the expansion tank. Initially, I add 4 liters and start the engine to idle, allowing the cooling system to circulate and vent air. After the fan starts running, I top it up to the middle of the fluid level mark. This method usually results in a total of 5.2 to 5.5 liters. Remember to choose -25℃ specification green coolant, which matches the factory color to prevent sedimentation. Every year before winter, I check the fluid level and top up about 200 ml if it's below the minimum mark to ensure stable engine cooling.
Last week, I helped my neighbor replace the coolant in his Wuling Sunshine. This model has a small cooling system capacity, requiring just over 5 liters in total. During the operation, I always unscrewed the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator when the engine was cold, waiting for the old fluid to completely drain before adding new coolant. A crucial point is to add about 3.5 liters first, then start the vehicle and wait for the thermostat to open as the water temperature rises before continuing to top it up. This ensures air bubbles are purged from the system. Stop filling when reaching the MAX mark on the expansion tank. In reality, we used two containers: one 4-liter jug plus half of a 1-liter bottle. The antifreeze tester confirmed the concentration met standards, and I reminded him to change it every 20,000 kilometers or two years for optimal safety.
