How to Replace Car Antifreeze?
2 Answers
Here are the steps for replacing antifreeze: 1. Let the vehicle sit for half an hour before replacing the antifreeze to prevent burns from hot antifreeze. The drain plug for the antifreeze is located at the bottom of the radiator; find and loosen it to allow the old antifreeze to completely drain out. 2. Put the vehicle in neutral and run it while pouring clean water into the antifreeze reservoir to flush out any remaining antifreeze in the cooling system. When the water coming out of the drain is mostly colorless, it means the old antifreeze has been completely removed. 3. When the water stops flowing out, reinstall the drain plug and turn off the engine. Then, fill the reservoir with new antifreeze up to between the MIN and MAX marks. If you add a little extra, it won’t cause any adverse effects. Start the vehicle, as the air in the cooling system will be expelled during idle operation, causing the antifreeze level to drop slightly. Wait a few minutes until the antifreeze level stabilizes, then add more antifreeze to bring it back between the two marks. The antifreeze replacement process is now complete.
Every time I change my car's coolant, it feels pretty straightforward, but safety is key. First, wait for the engine to cool completely—otherwise, you could get seriously burned. Gather the necessary tools: new coolant, an empty bucket for the old fluid, gloves, and a wrench. Pop the hood and locate the radiator drain valve, usually at the bottom or side, then gently loosen it to drain the old coolant. Once drained, flush the radiator with clean water once or twice to remove any residue. Next, add the new coolant—I use a funnel to pour it in slowly to avoid bubbling. After filling, start the engine for a few minutes to circulate the coolant, and check the temperature gauge and for any leaks. I make it a habit to change the coolant every two years or 20,000 kilometers to keep the cooling system clean and prevent corrosion, which also saves on repair costs. Remember to dispose of the old coolant properly—take it to an auto shop for recycling to protect the environment and stay worry-free. The whole process takes about an hour, and doing it yourself is rewarding while giving you a better understanding of your car's performance.
