How Much Antifreeze Should Generally Be Added?
2 Answers
Generally, 5 to 6 liters of antifreeze should be added, and it should be added in two steps. 1. The first step is when the vehicle is stationary. Add the antifreeze while squeezing the rubber tube by hand until the liquid level is between the 'low' and 'high' marks. 2. The second step is after the vehicle has been started and driven for a certain distance. Observe whether the antifreeze level has dropped. If it has, wait for the engine to cool down after stopping, then add more antifreeze until it reaches the level from the first step. Relevant information about antifreeze is as follows: 1. Antifreeze is generally divided into three types: ethanol-water type, glycerol-water type, and ethylene glycol-water type. 2. The freezing point of ethanol is -114℃, and its boiling point is 78.3℃. Ethanol is flammable and easily evaporates. When preparing, its content should generally not exceed 40%, and it is not suitable for use in diesel engine cooling systems with higher operating temperatures.
Last time I went to the 4S shop for maintenance, the technician taught me the correct way to check the coolant level. He pointed out the translucent plastic reservoir in the engine bay, which has Min and Max indicator lines on it. The car needs to be turned off and cooled for half an hour before checking, and the ideal fluid level should be between the two lines. My Volkswagen Lavida requires about 4 liters, but it varies significantly between different models. He specifically warned not to fill it up to the brim of the reservoir—leave about one-third space for the coolant to expand and contract with temperature changes. Overfilling can actually reduce cooling efficiency, and any overflow could corrode the car's paint. Now, before the cold weather sets in, I check it myself. If it's below the Min line, I top it up with the same color of original factory coolant.
