How to Change Car Antifreeze?
2 Answers
Antifreeze replacement method is as follows: 1. First, inspect the car to check for any signs of leakage. If leakage is found, it needs to be addressed promptly to avoid potential hazards while driving due to antifreeze leakage. 2. Drain the remaining antifreeze. Insert a rubber hose connected to a tap into the radiator filler port, then turn on the tap to allow a continuous flow of tap water through the engine cooling system. 3. After cleaning, add new antifreeze. While adding antifreeze, monitor the quantity closely to avoid overfilling, which could affect driving safety. Fill until the antifreeze reservoir is nearly full, then start the car and wait for 10 minutes. As some air is expelled from the cooling system, the fluid level will drop slightly. Add more antifreeze to bring the level between the min and max marks. Here are some precautions for adding antifreeze: 1. Do not mix different types of antifreeze: Different antifreeze types have different freezing points and additives. Mixing them can cause sedimentation and other issues, reducing the effectiveness of the antifreeze. 2. Do not add water to antifreeze: Adding water will raise the freezing point of the antifreeze and reduce the engine's cooling performance, which may lead to overheating while driving.
I'm an experienced driver and have been changing coolant for years. This job needs to be done slowly and carefully. First, make sure the engine is completely cooled down - wait at least one or two hours, otherwise the risk of burns is too high. Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands. Locate the drain valve on the radiator or expansion tank (usually at the bottom) and loosen it with a small wrench to let the old fluid drain into a pan. After complete drainage, you can flush the system with some clean water, but don't overdo it. Then prepare the new coolant - I typically use a 50% coolant and 50% distilled water mixture. Pour it into the expansion tank slowly, don't rush. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to bleed air from the system, then check if the level stabilizes at the standard mark. Finally, take the old coolant to a recycling center - never dump it as it pollutes the environment. Since coolant is highly corrosive, I recommend changing it every two years to keep your engine from freezing in winter and overheating in summer. After replacement, test the cooling system for any leaks.
