How to Open the Car Antifreeze Cap?
2 Answers
The method to open the car antifreeze cap is: After parking for half an hour, cover the antifreeze cap with a towel, press the cap and twist it counterclockwise with force. Antifreeze is a coolant containing special additives, mainly used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. The functions of antifreeze are: 1. Anti-corrosion. 2. High boiling point. 3. Prevents scale buildup. The method to replace antifreeze is: 1. Open the car hood after the engine has cooled down. 2. Open the antifreeze reservoir cap. 3. Lift the vehicle and open the radiator drain plug, drain the old antifreeze, then reinstall the drain plug. 4. Lower the vehicle and pour new antifreeze into the antifreeze reservoir.
When opening the coolant reservoir cap, special attention must be paid to safety as the system remains hot and pressurized immediately after the engine stops. I usually wait for the engine to cool completely before opening the cap - typically about half an hour after turning off the vehicle, and I check by touching the radiator to confirm it's not hot. The cap is generally located on the expansion tank, marked with a red cap or warning symbol. Turn it counterclockwise slowly by hand; if you hear a hissing sound, don't panic - that's just pressure being released. Wait until the sound stops before fully removing the cap. This procedure is necessary when adding new coolant or checking fluid levels - it's advisable to wear gloves to protect against hot vapors and potential splashes. If the cap is too tight, avoid using excessive force to prevent thread damage. When refilling, carefully observe the MAX line to prevent overflow that could corrode components. Remember to regularly check the coolant concentration, as inadequate concentration may cause engine overheating ("boiling"), leading to more serious issues.