What are the steps for adding coolant?
2 Answers
When the large reservoir is filled to approximately 4kg and the small reservoir to around 2kg, start the engine and turn on the heater to expel any moisture and air. While keeping the engine running, continue adding coolant until it reaches the normal operating level. Do not add the coolant too quickly. Monitor the process dynamically while filling to prevent spills or leaks.
I usually do car maintenance myself, and when adding coolant, the biggest fear is operating with a hot engine. Opening the cap when it's hot can spray high-temperature liquid and cause injury, so always wait until the engine is completely cooled, such as a few hours after parking. Locate the coolant reservoir in the engine bay—the cap is marked, so don’t confuse it with other openings. Before opening the cap, check that the pressure has been released. If the fluid level is below the MIN line, it’s a low signal. Slowly pour in the appropriate coolant—I prefer using a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, with distilled water being fine; avoid hard tap water to prevent scaling. Pouring too quickly can create air bubbles, leading to uneven cooling, so add it bit by bit until it reaches near the MAX line. After sealing the cap, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. The level will drop slightly as the temperature rises, so open the cap again and top it off to MAX. Finally, carefully inspect the surrounding pipes and connections to ensure there are no leaks—don’t skip this step. Regularly topping up and checking like this can prevent engine overheating.
