How often should the coolant be changed in a new Santana?

[Elsie]

The coolant in a new Santana should be replaced every 45,000 kilometers or 60 months. Coolant, short for antifreeze coolant, is a liquid composed of antifreeze additives, additives that prevent metal corrosion, and water. It needs to have properties such as antifreeze capability, corrosion resistance, heat conductivity, and non-deterioration. The new Santana measures 4475 mm in length, 1706 mm in width, and 1469 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2603 mm. The vehicle is equipped with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, coded EA211-DLF, which delivers a maximum power of 82 kW and a maximum torque of 145 Nm.

[ErinLee]

I remember when my new Santana had been running for exactly two years, the maintenance technician proactively reminded me it was time to change the coolant. I was quite puzzled at the time. He explained that this stuff isn’t just for antifreeze—it also prevents boiling and corroding the radiator in summer. Especially for cars like mine that drive in the city every day, with constant stop-and-go traffic causing repeated engine temperature fluctuations, the coolant depletes faster. Now, before winter sets in, I always pop the hood to check the reservoir. If it’s below the MIN line, I top it up with the same color. Once, I saw my neighbor’s car with a rusted and leaking radiator, and found out he hadn’t changed the coolant in five years. It scared me so much that I immediately noted it down: change every two years or 40,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

[Leonard]

In the past three years of ride-hailing, my new Santana has already clocked 180,000 kilometers. I have a lot to say about changing coolant. The manufacturer recommends changing it every two years, but for high-intensity use like mine, the interval needs to be shorter. Last summer, the engine overheated and triggered a warning. The mechanic found it was due to the coolant's boiling point dropping. When tested with an antifreeze tester, its protective capability had significantly deteriorated. For regular household cars, following the recommended schedule is fine, but for someone like me who drives ten hours daily, I now check it every eight months. Remember to completely drain the old fluid before adding new coolant—mixing different colors can cause gel formation.

[StAngelina]

I've changed the coolant for my Santana three times by myself. The two-year interval specified in the manual is a conservative estimate. In northern winters with temperatures dropping to -20°C, the freezing point of old coolant might not meet the standard. Once before returning to my hometown during Spring Festival without changing it, the heater suddenly stopped working halfway. Since then, I always keep a freezing point tester handy and check the scale with a couple of drops before winter. Now I also pay attention to whether the liquid in the reservoir is cloudy—turning brown indicates it's time for a change. When replacing, remember to slowly unscrew the drain plug with the engine warmed up, being careful to avoid burns.

[DeColton]

In the south, driving a new Santana doesn't require worrying about antifreeze at all, but the mechanic mentioned that coolant also serves to cool and prevent corrosion. I usually change it every three years, but I check the concentration before each rainy season. Once, I noticed flocculent sediment at the bottom of the reservoir, which was actually iron filings from corrosion in the cooling system. Now, I've learned to monitor the fluid level in the reservoir, keeping it at the midline when the engine is cold for optimal safety. When replacing, it's crucial to choose the OEM-approved G12 specification. Last time, I bought a cheap off-brand, and within three months, I noticed the fluid level dropping rapidly.