What is the normal amount of car coolant?
3 Answers
Car coolant is considered normal at 5 to 6 liters. Too much or too little can have adverse effects on the vehicle. Here are some introductions about coolant types: Alcohol-based coolant: Uses ethanol (commonly known as alcohol) as an antifreeze. It is cheap, has good fluidity, and simple preparation process, but has disadvantages such as low boiling point, easy evaporation loss, prone to rising freezing point, and flammability. It has been gradually phased out. Glycerin-based coolant: Features high boiling point, low volatility, non-flammability, non-toxicity, and low corrosiveness, but has poor freezing point depression effect and high cost. Only a few Nordic countries still use it.
As a parent who frequently drives to pick up and drop off my kids, I always remind myself to regularly check the car's coolant level. Under normal circumstances, the coolant should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the expansion tank when the engine is cold—not too low or too high. If it's too low, the engine may overheat and potentially break down on the road; if it's too high, it may overflow, wasting coolant and polluting the environment. I've developed a habit of popping the hood once a month to take a quick look. If I notice the level is below MIN, I add the appropriate antifreeze coolant, but I avoid overfilling. Safe driving comes first, as a car breakdown could disrupt the whole family's plans. I also keep an eye on the temperature gauge and combine it with coolant checks to prevent issues and avoid costly repairs.
I've been driving for many years and pay special attention to the proper coolant level, as it directly affects the thickness of my wallet. The normal level is between the upper and lower marks on the coolant reservoir, which can be easily checked visually when the engine is cold. Too low and the engine may overheat and get damaged, with repair costs easily running into thousands; too high and you're just burning money unnecessarily. I've noticed that coolant tends to evaporate a bit more in summer, so I check and top it up every season, but never fill it to the MAX mark to avoid waste. It's also important to choose high-quality coolant to extend its lifespan, and replacing it every two years offers the best cost-performance ratio, ensuring reliable driving and better fuel efficiency. This kind of minor maintenance saves you from major troubles.
