How often should coolant be added to a new car?
3 Answers
New cars require coolant addition after one year. The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant, meaning it has antifreeze functionality. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block during cold seasons when the car is parked. It is not just for winter use but is a universal coolant that should be used year-round. Coolant consists of three parts: water, antifreeze, and additives. Depending on the antifreeze component, it can be categorized into alcohol-based, glycerol-based, ethylene glycol-based, and other types of coolants. Ethylene glycol-based coolant uses ethylene glycol as the antifreeze agent, with small amounts of anti-foaming, anti-corrosion, and other comprehensive additives added. Since ethylene glycol is highly soluble in water, it can be mixed to achieve various freezing points, with the lowest freezing point reaching -68 degrees Celsius. This type of coolant features a high boiling point, low foaming tendency, excellent viscosity-temperature performance, corrosion resistance, and scale prevention, making it an ideal coolant.
I just bought a new car not long ago and have been thinking about the coolant issue. The manufacturer fills it with the appropriate coolant when the car leaves the factory, so you don’t need to worry about topping it up for the first year. The key is regular maintenance. For example, the transparent coolant reservoir in my car—the manual recommends checking the water level every 15,000 kilometers or once a year. It’s best to check on a cool day when the engine is completely cold, making sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks. If it’s low, add some of the manufacturer-recommended coolant mixture, but avoid pouring in pure water to prevent affecting the cooling performance. Different car brands have slightly different intervals—some manuals suggest checking every five years. From my experience, it’s good to develop the habit to avoid engine overheating and breakdowns, which can be a real hassle to fix. If you drive long distances frequently or in hot climates, the coolant level may drop faster, so checking every 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers gives extra peace of mind.
Managing your new car's coolant is actually quite simple—don't wait for problems to arise. The coolant lasts quite a while in a new car, but after about a year, I started checking it every 20,000 kilometers. Just park the car, wait for the engine to cool, pop the hood, and make sure the liquid level in the plastic reservoir is at the midpoint. If it's low, top it up with a store-bought 50/50 coolant mixture—avoid using pure water as it can damage the system. Also, pay attention during seasonal changes, like checking the antifreeze performance before winter. After topping up, start the car and take a short drive to warm up the engine and ensure proper circulation. Developing this small habit protects your engine, saving you both hassle and money. If the level keeps dropping, there might be a leak that needs prompt repair.
