How to Replace Coolant?
2 Answers
Replacing antifreeze involves the following steps: 1. Unscrew the radiator cap and open the radiator drain valve (usually located at the bottom of the radiator) to drain the antifreeze. 2. Clean the cooling system by inserting a rubber hose connected to a tap water pipe into the radiator filler neck. Turn on the tap to allow a continuous flow of tap water through the engine cooling system. During this flushing process, keep the engine idling and continue until clear water flows out of the radiator. 3. Turn off the tap and close the radiator drain valve once all water has drained from the cooling system. 4. Fill the radiator with antifreeze through the filler neck until it is full. Open the reservoir cap, add antifreeze up to the "Max" mark, being careful not to exceed it. 5. Securely tighten both the radiator cap and the reservoir cap. 6. Start the engine and let it idle for 2-3 minutes, then unscrew the radiator cap. As some air is expelled from the cooling system, the antifreeze level will drop. Top up the antifreeze to the "Max" mark again and securely close the radiator cap.
Changing coolant is routine for me. As someone who frequently works on cars, I always wait until the engine has completely cooled down to avoid burns. Then I locate the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator, unscrew it to let the old fluid drain out, and catch it in a container to prevent environmental contamination. After draining all the old fluid, I flush the system twice with distilled water to remove residual deposits, though some vehicles don't recommend flushing to avoid clogging. After flushing, I open the fill port and pour in new coolant up to the specified level line, being careful not to overfill. I then start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to purge air bubbles while checking the temperature gauge to ensure proper cooling circulation. Finally, I recheck the fluid level and top it off if needed. The whole process takes about half an hour, with safety being the top priority—tools like wrenches should be ready. Different coolant colors indicate different chemical compositions, and mixing them can cause engine corrosion, which is counterproductive. Generally, it's best to replace coolant every two years to maintain effectiveness.
