Summer is a time when many people take their cars out for a spin. Maybe you’re taking your kids to the amusement park or you’re hitting the open road for a long drive. But before you head out, make sure to add engine coolant. Here’s how:
If your car has an automatic transmission, you’ll need to use the manual override to get to the engine coolant reservoir. If your car has a manual transmission, you’ll need to remove the hood and locate the reservoir. Once you find the reservoir, carefully pour in enough coolant to cover the engine. Replace the hood and return to normal driving.
What you need
-A container of engine coolant
-An appropriate funnel
-A hose or other means of transferring the coolant
1. Pour enough liquid into the container to cover the radiator fins and seal the lid. Turn the car over so that the fan is blowing onto the radiator.
2. Put a funnel into the tank and pour the coolant slowly into the funnel. Be sure to hold down on the cap on top of the tank while pouring in order to avoid spills.
3. Hook up the hose to the outlet on top of the container and connect it to your car’s cooling system. Turn on your car’s cooling system and let it run for about 10 minutes to mix the coolant with air and get it flowing through your system properly.
How to add engine coolant
If your car doesn’t have a radiator, you’ll need to add engine coolant. Follow these steps to add engine coolant:
1. Park the car in a warm place, such as your garage.
2. Turn off the engine and remove the keys.
3. Open the hood of the car.
4. Look for the radiator cap and unscrew it.
5. Remove the radiator cap and pour in enough coolant to cover the bottom of the radiator pan (3 or 4 cups should do). Replace the cap and screw it on tightly.
6. Fill up the car’s reservoir with cold water and attach it to the car’s cooling system using hose clamps or a properly sized adapter (typically 12-inch hoses will work). Make sure all connections are tight before driving away.
What to do if the engine coolant doesn’t work
If your engine coolant doesn’t work, there are a few things you can do. The first thing to do is check your thermostat. If it’s not set at the right temperature, the engine may not be able to reach the right temperature to start working again. Next, make sure there isn’t a blockage in the system. If you can’t get the car started and the coolant isn’t low, there could be a blockage in the system. Another thing to check is if your radiator is leaking.
Conclusion
If your car is overheating, the first step is to check the radiator. If it’s full of coolant and there are no leaks, you may need to add more coolant. The following instructions show you how to add engine coolant: