Checking and Adding Radiator Fluid - By: Tauqeer Hassan

One of the vital parts of the cooling system of a car is coolant known as the radiator fluid. It protects the engine from getting overheated. The car can get breakdown requiring expensive repairs if the engine coolant level is low.
Adding radiator fluid to a contemporary car
Step 1
It can be observed that the old models of the cars before the 1970s required coolant to be added directly to the radiator. A reservoir tank is featured in newer vehicles so that one can access anytime. This excludes German and Swedish cars in which the reservoir is present under pressure when the engine is hot.
Step 2
The second step is related to the hood release lever which is present under the dashboard. It has to be pulled.
Step 3
One can reach under the hood by walking around the front of the car. The latch can be found and is has to be squeezed and pulled up and the hood will be opened.
Step 4
The plastic reservoir tank is to be found which should be at least holding some deposit of coolant normally green in color but in some cases there are also red versions available in the market. The plastic reservoir is often labeled and it also has a hose that goes to the radiator.
Step 5
The cap is to be now unscrewed and coolant to be the added till "full" line. Half mixture of water and half antifreeze which makes almost 50-50 combines to make coolant. Although water can also be added strictly in case the reservoir is empty and the car is in danger of getting overheating.
Adding fluid to an old car
Step 1
The engine must be cool enough before adding radiator fluid. It should be made sure because it is very dangerous to open the radiator cap while the engine is hot. If the car had been recently driven, then one should wait for at least half an hour before removing the radiator cap.
Step 2
The second step is related to the hood release lever which is present under the dashboard. It has to be pulled.
Step 3
One can reach under the hood by walking around the front of the car. The latch can be found and is has to be squeezed and pulled up and the hood will be opened.
Step 4
The radiator cap can be found at the front of the engine near the hood latch.
Step 5
The cap can be removed by rotating it, using a rag. When there is a doubt about whether it is safe to remove the cap, several rags can be used and the lid can be unscrewed slowly.
Step 6
One can look in the radiator. If the fluid does not reach the top of the radiator just below the cap’s opening, then coolant can be added.
Tips and Warnings
• The hose which leads from reservoir to radiator is a sign that one is not pouring the coolant into the windshield wiper reservoir.
• The radiator cap should never try to be removed if the car is overheated. It is very dangerous and can cause serious burns.
• The low reservoir does not mean that the coolant got used up. The car may have a leak.
• The coolant is poisonous and pets should be kept away. It should not be left lying around.

About the Author

You might also want to know how to prevent leakage in radiators and how to repair a radiator. You can save some money and time by just knowing simple things about car radiators.

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