During the winter months, your car might need a bit more TLC than usual. One thing you need to stay on top of is your engine coolant.
Coolant, more commonly known as antifreeze, is a mixture of ethylene or propylene glycol and water, usually in a 50/50 ratio. Keeping it filled up is easy (like topping up your oil or screenwash), but it does require a bit of caution because using the wrong substance could cause irreparable damage to your vehicle.
We’ll talk you through how to do it safely and correctly. We always recommend looking at your car’s handbook beforehand, this will help you identify the specific type of coolant required and how much is needed.
1 Wait until the engine is cold
It’s extremely important that you wait at least 3 hours after using the vehicle for the engine to cool down. Pressurised water may escape the reservoir when you unscrew your coolant cap, if the engine is hot then this can scald the skin so please be careful.
2 Find the coolant reservoir
Your car’s handbook should explain where to find the reservoir and also what kind of anti-freeze to put in it. This is really important to get right before attempting to top up your coolant.
3 Check the minimum & maximum lines
The amount of coolant should always be sitting somewhere between these lines. This gives you a guide of where to fill it to.
4 Create your mixture
You can buy it pre-mixed but if you feel comfortable making your own it’s always best to mix the antifreeze with distilled water before you put it in. Most labels recommend half and half as a measurement.
5 Unscrew and fill
Make sure you use a rag or thick cloth when unscrewing the coolant cap. Using a funnel to prevent spillages, pour the liquid in. You want to avoid getting any coolant on the skin or floor as this can be poisonous to humans and animals. Once you see the liquid reach the maximum line, screw the cap back on until you hear it click.
