How to Check and Refill Engine Coolant
Checking and refilling your engine coolant is a very simple process. However, you should not need to refill your engine coolant often, possibly every 2 or 3 years. The engine coolant does the job of keeping your engine from overheating so it is important that you make sure your coolant levels are where they need to be to avoid having an overheated engine.
Things You’ll Need:
- Engine coolant
- Distilled water
- Keep your vehicle off to cool the engine completely before starting this process. The fluid level will not read correctly if the engine is not cool.
- Pop the hood on your vehicle and prop open so that is stays out of your way.
- Locate the engine coolant reservoir. The location of the reservoir will differ based on the type of vehicle you have. However, in most vehicles you will find your reservoir on the right or left side of the engine toward the edge. The cap on the reservoir should say engine coolant Also, on the side of the reservoir there will be a line showing where the fluid levels should be.
- Unscrew the coolant reservoir cap.
- Check to see if the fluid level is below the coolant line.
- Refill the coolant if it is low so that it reaches the fluid line. You are going to want to read the instructions on the coolant to make sure that you mix the correct amount of distilled water in with the coolant if it is required. The coolant to distilled water ratio is usually 50:50.
- Screw the cap back on the reservoir and make sure it is secure.
- Close the hood.