How to Check your Car's Coolant Level, by In Shot Productions on YouTube. 2 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground and let the engine cool completely, ideally overnight or at least an hour after driving. Never open a radiator cap or coolant tank while the engine is hot.
Open the bonnet and find the coolant expansion tank. It is a see-through plastic bottle near the radiator, usually with a cap marked with the coolant or thermometer symbol.
With the engine cold, look at the level through the plastic. The coolant should sit between the MIN and MAX lines moulded on the side of the tank.
If the level is below MIN, look for leaks. Check under the car for drips, then inspect the hoses and clips around the tank and radiator for cracks or white crusty stains.
Check your owner's manual for the exact coolant type. Many cars need a ready-mixed 50/50 coolant and water blend, and some need a specific colour or specification.
Slowly unscrew the cap and top up with a funnel until the coolant reaches the MAX line. Do not overfill, because the coolant expands as it warms up.
Refit the cap firmly and wipe up any spills on the engine or paintwork with a rag. Coolant is slippery and toxic, so rinse splashes with water.
Run the engine for a few minutes with the heater on hot, then let it cool and check the level again. Top up if it has dropped, and check weekly.
Tips and common mistakes
Never remove the cap while the engine is hot, because pressurised boiling coolant can spray out and burn you.
Plain water is only an emergency fix. Use the correct antifreeze mix long term so the engine does not corrode or freeze.
Do not mix different coolant types or colours unless the manual says they are compatible.
Clean up spills straight away, as coolant tastes sweet and is poisonous to pets and children.
Questions
How do I know if my car is low on coolant?
The dashboard temperature warning light may come on, the heater may blow cold, or you may see a sweet smell or green, pink or orange drips under the car. Check the tank level when the engine is cold.
Can I just top up with water?
In an emergency, plain water will get you home. After that, drain or dilute it correctly, because too much water lowers the antifreeze protection and can cause corrosion.
How often should I check the coolant?
Check it once a week or before long trips, along with the oil and washer fluid. A level that keeps dropping points to a leak that needs fixing.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
