How to Refill Engine Coolant / Antifreeze in a Ford Focus (2012 - 2018), by Mountain Man Mo on YouTube. 2 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground and let the engine cool completely, at least 30 minutes or until the hoses feel cold to the touch. Never open a coolant cap on a hot engine.
Open the bonnet and find the coolant reservoir, a see-through plastic tank in the engine bay with a black cap stamped with the coolant warning symbol.
Read the level against the MIN and MAX marks moulded into the side of the tank. If it sits at or below MIN, it needs topping up.
Use pre-mixed 50:50 antifreeze, or mix concentrate half and half with distilled water. Do not fill with plain tap water alone.
Push a funnel into the reservoir neck and pour slowly until the level reaches the MAX mark. Stop there, because coolant expands as it warms.
Wipe up any spills, then refit the cap and twist it until it feels firm.
Start the engine, turn the heater to hot and let it idle for a few minutes, then switch off and let it cool again.
Recheck the level and top up to MAX if it has dropped. A small drop is normal as trapped air works its way out.
Look under the car and around the reservoir for drips. If the level keeps falling, have a mechanic pressure test the system.
Tips and common mistakes
Hot coolant and vapour can cause severe burns, so always check the level with the engine cold.
Do not fill above the MAX line, or the extra coolant will overflow once the engine heats up.
Repeatedly topping up with water dilutes the mix and weakens its freeze and boil protection.
Check the coolant type listed in your owner's handbook before buying a bottle.
Questions
Can I just use water if the coolant is low?
Only in an emergency to get home. Plain water dilutes the antifreeze and lowers its protection against freezing and boiling, so drain and refill with the correct mix soon after.
How much coolant will a top-up take?
Usually well under a litre to move the level from MIN to MAX. Add it in small amounts through a funnel and check the marks as you go.
Why does my coolant keep dropping?
A slow leak from a hose, the water pump or the radiator is the usual cause. If you are topping up more than once a month, get the system checked.
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.
