How often should coolant be replaced?
2 Answers
Replacing coolant generally takes about one hour in winter and half an hour in summer. Method for replacing coolant: Before completely replacing the coolant, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any signs of leakage or cracks in the pipelines, with a special focus on the five-way hose. The five-way hose gets its name from having five connection points to different parts of the vehicle. Coolant flows through the five-way hose and is distributed to various parts of the car to perform its function. If there is any coolant leakage in this section, replace the hose or resecure the connections as needed. Drain the old coolant, then flush the fluid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the coolant reservoir, then continue filling the reservoir with water until clean water flows continuously through the engine cooling system. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. Initially, the water draining from the reservoir may have a faint pink tint. Continue adding clean water until the water runs clear. Remember to disconnect the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core. After draining for about an hour, add the new coolant through the radiator hose. This allows the coolant to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another bottle of coolant to the reservoir until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. As some air is expelled from the cooling system, the coolant level will drop. Top up the coolant until it reaches the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
I drive quite frequently, so I usually change the antifreeze every two years. If you often drive in cold regions, you need to pay extra attention. Last time, I didn't replace it in time, and when the temperature dropped to minus twenty degrees, the radiator almost froze and cracked. Actually, antifreeze isn't just for preventing freezing—it also protects the engine from rust and corrosion. I make it a habit to check the fluid level before winter. If I find it below the minimum mark, I replace it immediately. If I notice a strange sweet smell in the car, it might indicate an antifreeze leak. Recently, a mechanic told me that some long-life antifreeze can last up to five years, but for regular antifreeze, it's safer to replace it every two years.
