Can I drive immediately after adding coolant?
Yes, run the engine After you do any work involved with draining the coolant you will either have an exact process to remove air from the cooling system or you will simply run the engine. If you don’t the gasses (air) will expand at a greater rate than liquid when the engine get’s hot.
Do you start your car when adding coolant?
What happens if you add more coolant?
Coolant expands as it heats and contracts when it cools. The extra space prevents damage to your engine and hoses. In worst case scenarios, overfilling your antifreeze tank can lead to electrical damage if overflow comes into contact with engine wiring.
Can I refill coolant myself?
You can use diluted coolant by itself, or a 50/50 mixture of concentrated coolant and distilled water. When the coolant rises to the cold fill line, replace the cap and tighten it until you feel it click.
When to add coolant to a new car?
Checking the coolant on a regular basis will tell you whether you need to add it, as well as how well it is working. Most people will find they only rarely have to add coolant when a vehicle is new, but as cars age many start to have lower efficiency cooling systems.
Where can I find the coolant manual for my car?
If you don’t know where the manual is and you need to know, AutoZone can help: either ask a store associate or use our coolant lookup to find the right kind for your vehicle’s make and model.
How can I tell if my coolant is good?
You can check the specific gravity and color of your coolant to see if it is time. You’ll need a test kit to do it yourself. Most of the time, coolant is good longer than the estimate in the owner’s manual, but sometimes it breaks down early and you lose performance.
What kind of coolant is used for antifreeze?
One of the most common, and longstanding coolants of this type is DEX COOL®, which was developed by GM in the late 1980’s and has been used ever since. You can find out more about the history and details of different types of antifreeze here!