
The location to add antifreeze is on top of the radiator; just unscrew the cap to fill it. The car antifreeze should be added between the min and max marks on the expansion tank, and it must not exceed the max mark. How to replace antifreeze: Before completely replacing the antifreeze, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any signs of leakage or cracks in the pipes, with a focus on the five-way hose. Antifreeze flows through the five-way hose and is then distributed to different parts of the car to function. If there is any leakage of antifreeze in this area, replace the hose or reseal the connection as needed. Drain the old antifreeze, then flush the fluid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir and continue filling it so that the water flows continuously through the engine cooling system. Then, start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. Initially, the water flowing out of the reservoir will be slightly pinkish. Continue adding clean water until the water coming out is clear. Note: Remember to remove the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core. After draining for about an hour, add the new antifreeze through the radiator hose. Then, add another container of antifreeze to the antifreeze reservoir until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. At this point, the coolant level will drop slightly as air is expelled from the system. Add more antifreeze until it reaches the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.

I remember spending a while searching for the coolant reservoir when I first needed to top up my car. Actually, it's located in the engine bay. In most cars, the expansion tank is a transparent plastic container marked with symbols resembling a thermometer or waves. After pulling the hood release and opening the hood, this white or semi-transparent tank is usually positioned near the lower right side of the windshield. On my Corolla, the cap is clearly labeled 'COOLANT'—just press down and twist to open. Always wait until the engine is completely cool before adding fluid, or hot liquid could spray out and burn your hands. If you still can't find it, checking the owner's manual is foolproof—it clearly marks all filler locations.

As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I always check the coolant during seasonal changes. Here's a little tip: after opening the engine hood, look directly for the translucent reservoir connected to the radiator. It's usually located on the right side of the front compartment, marked with Max/Min level lines, and the tank is typically white or beige. Last week, while helping my neighbor fix his car, I noticed his Honda CRV has a unique design—the expansion tank is hidden behind the battery. Remember to top it up when the engine is cold, and never exceed the Max line. Most importantly, never mix different colors of coolant—mixing red and green can cause clumping and damage the engine.


