How to Replace the Coolant in the Buick Excelle?

[HaleyMarie]

The method to replace the coolant in the Buick Excelle is as follows: 1. Unscrew the radiator cap and open the radiator drain valve to release the coolant; 2. Clean the cooling system by continuously injecting clean water into the engine cooling system. During the flushing process, keep the engine idling to ensure the circulation of clean water inside until clean water flows out from the radiator; 3. Stop injecting clean water and close the drain valve after the water has completely drained; 4. Add new coolant until the liquid level is between the max and min marks. Taking the 2021 Buick Excelle as an example, it belongs to the compact car category with body dimensions of 4609mm in length, 1798mm in width, and 1464mm in height, a wheelbase of 2640mm, a fuel tank capacity of 44 liters, and a curb weight of 1270kg.

[Duarte]

I've been driving my Buick Excelle for five years and have changed the coolant myself twice. It's actually not difficult. Remember to wait until the engine has completely cooled down before operating—this is especially important! First, open the hood and locate the plastic drain valve at the bottom of the radiator. On some older Excelle models, it's at the lower left corner of the radiator. Use a 12mm wrench to loosen the plug and place a basin underneath to catch the old coolant, which can take about half an hour to drain. During this time, go buy the specialized coolant—the Excelle uses the red DEX-COOL type from ACDelco. Before adding the new coolant, be sure to flush the radiator with clean water twice, as mixing different types can cause reactions. When refilling, do it slowly. Fill to the middle line of the expansion tank, then start the engine and wait for the fan to kick in before topping it up to the maximum line. Avoid touching the hot radiator cap during the whole process—I nearly got burned by steam last time. Finally, drive a couple of kilometers and recheck the coolant level. Top it up if needed, and remember to take the waste coolant to an auto repair shop for proper disposal.

[Juniper]

As an average car owner, my biggest concern when changing coolant is damaging the vehicle. For the Buick Excelle coolant replacement, you'll need to prepare: 4L of the same type coolant, rubber gloves, a large basin, and cleaning cloths. First, open the engine compartment when the engine is cold, locate the radiator drain plug (usually at the bottom of the radiator). Use the basin to catch the old green fluid when unscrewing the plug - be careful as it's toxic and shouldn't touch your skin. After complete drainage, tighten the plug and slowly pour new coolant through the expansion tank opening. Once filled, start the engine and let it idle for ten minutes - the cooling system will purge air during this process, causing the fluid level to drop, requiring 2-3 top-ups. The crucial step is operating with the AC heat at maximum setting to ensure complete air removal. Finally, check all hoses for leaks - last time I did this, I found a loose hose clamp that caused a puddle.

[LaKevin]

Last time during maintenance, I specifically observed how the mechanic replaced the coolant for the Excelle. First, he removed the engine guard plate and used a tool to unscrew the drain bolt at the bottom of the radiator. After the old fluid completely drained, he performed a flush: adding clean water to the expansion tank, starting the engine until the coolant temperature reached 90°C, then draining it, repeating this process three times. Then, he filled in new coolant up to the MAX line, started the vehicle while squeezing the coolant hoses a few times to bleed air. The mechanic mentioned that the Excelle must use ethylene glycol-based coolant due to its low corrosiveness. The entire process took half an hour, but doing it yourself would take longer. The key point is that checking the coolant level is accurate only when the engine is hot, as checking it when cold would show a higher reading. Finally, he used a diagnostic tool to reset the maintenance reminder.

[AuroraAnn]

Special safety precautions must be taken when changing coolant yourself. Here's my Excelle operating procedure: With the engine cold, first unscrew the expansion tank cap to release internal pressure, then place a rag under the radiator and open the drain valve. When the old fluid flowed into the basin, I immediately noticed a sour smell, indicating it needed replacement. After complete drainage, I flushed the system twice with distilled water to prevent scale buildup. When adding new coolant, pour slowly to avoid air bubbles. After filling, secure the cap and let the engine idle for ten minutes - the dashboard temperature gauge will rise to the midpoint. Then open the cap again to top up to the standard level, and check after driving briefly. I used OEM-specified coolant, as mixing brands may clog the radiator. Remember to wear goggles throughout the process to prevent splashing.