How to Replace Car Antifreeze by Yourself?
3 Answers
Open the hood and conduct a thorough inspection before completely replacing the antifreeze. Open the radiator cap and drain valve to release the antifreeze from the radiator. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir, continuously flushing it through the engine cooling system, then idle the engine for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the new antifreeze into the radiator through the hose. Then add another bottle of antifreeze to the reservoir until it is nearly full.
I've changed the coolant several times, and honestly, preparation is more important than the actual operation. Make sure the engine is completely cooled down—letting it sit overnight is the safest bet, or you could get scalded when opening the radiator cap. The tools are simple: new coolant, a drain pan, and a wrench. Locate the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator; on some cars, it's in the corner of the radiator. Use the pan to catch the old coolant when you open the valve—this stuff is toxic and shouldn't be dumped carelessly. After draining, tighten the valve. Now, adding the new coolant is crucial—choose the same color as the original to avoid clumping. Slowly pour it into the expansion tank first, and don't fill it all at once. After adding, start the engine and let it circulate for ten minutes, turning on the heater to help bleed air. Finally, check the coolant level when the engine is cold and top it up to the middle of the marked range. Remember to collect the old coolant in a container and take it to a repair shop for proper disposal.
Changing coolant yourself can save $200 in labor costs, but requires extra attention to detail. I usually do it in the morning, allowing over three hours for the engine to cool. Remember to wear rubber gloves and goggles – coolant is corrosive. When draining old fluid, check its color and condition – if it's particularly cloudy or contains metal flakes, it indicates the cooling system needs flushing. Beginners often skip the rinsing step: after draining, fill with distilled water and circulate for ten minutes to remove residue. Don't cheap out on new coolant – all-season -25°C rated fluid is most convenient. Pinch the radiator return hose when pouring to prevent splashing. Don't panic if the temperature gauge spikes after first startup – it's just air purging. Always recheck the level when cold the next day; it typically drops about 1cm and needs topping up.
