Coolant (also known as antifreeze) works to keep everything, well, cool, by absorbing engine heat and dissipating it through the radiator. Without a sufficient amount of coolant, it’s possible your car could overheat and cause significant damage to the engine. Otherwise you might end up adding antifreeze to your brake fluid, and you really don’t want to do that… You need to keep your coolant levels between the min/max, … Checking the coolant in your vehicle can save you a lot of money and problems in the long run. Keeping your coolant levels topped up and working properly means you're going to avoid all that and you'll be able to enjoy your vehicle much longer. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature. If you find that you regularly need to top it up (in under three months), there may be a leak. Make sure the engine is cool — If you need to top up the coolant reservoir, make sure the engine is switched off and cool before opening the tank. If you have your car serviced regularly, the service mechanic will also check them for you then. Most people have their car serviced once a year, but you do need to be checking in between services. If your engine is cold, the coolant level should be up to the cold fill line. It depends on the age of your unit. Drain coolant, refill radiator and start engine… coolant overflowing out the open top of the radiator. The most common coolant colors are light green, yellow and orange. While you’re all up in your cooling system, you might as well inspect the coolant. I second the recommendation that you shouldn't dump the first coolant you find at Super Cheap Auto in there, but demineralised water is harmless (especially since the OP is just topping up the level). The standard is about every 30,000 miles or every few years. Because HCFC-22 depletes the Earth’s protective ozone layer, EPA regulations are gradually reducing the production and use of this refrigerant. If your car has an expansion tank, replace the coolant there with the correct mixture, but do not fill the expansion tank to the top. If the coolant needs topping up, don't remove the filler cap unless the engine is cold – you could be scalded by a sudden release of pressurised hot water. 5.Remove the coolant reservoir, and drain the coolant, then reinstall the coolant reservoir. To check this, you may need to top up the system and then see if the engine overheats and leads to coolant loss again. 5. It helps stop corrosion and scale build-up all year round. Probably a hole in the radiator somewhere. Checking and topping up coolant levels can help your car run smoothly, giving you peace of mind every time you get behind the wheel. Allowing your engine to overheat can cause serious, costly problems, so it is best to visit a mechanic at the first signs of temperature issues. Learn how often do you need to top up the car coolant. Knowing the color of your vehicle’s coolant when it’s new can help you identify any changes or signs that your coolant needs to be replaced. Some coolants will come premixed-that is, you don't need to add any water. (Mercedes-Benz coolant part numbers A0009892825, Q1030005, BQ1030005). Regular check-ups of coolant levels are essential for the health of your vehicle. Finally, when you decide to change engine coolant, don’t shop for a certain color, but the type your engine requires. Frequent engine coolant checks may enable you to discover and deal with a leak at minimal cost compared to overheating and breaking down whilst on the road. In fact, manufacturers can no longer make new air conditioners that use HCFC-22. "Topping up" the antifreeze solution in a car's cooling system is a routine maintenance item for most modern cars. 2001 Camry. Fill it up, leave a tarp or newspaper under the car overnight and you'll see a puddle overnight. Check every couple of months, top up probably once a year, if that. Never use plain water (including distilled) in a Mercedes Benz. When rust appears in your coolant, for instance, it shows up as a red tone. For others, changing the coolant isn't even on the maintenance schedule. It almost certainly isn't the head gasket, or it would have dropped more than an inch in 3,000 miles. My 1990 Mazda 626 leaks oil like a sieve, so I regularly top up the oil. Open the hood and locate the engine coolant reservoir. In addition to the tests performed on extended-life coolants, Holdmeyer said with the addition of supplemental coolant additives (SCAs), additive levels should be checked every 500 hours, or 2,500 miles, with a complete drain and recharge at 5,000 hours, or 250,000 miles. Mercedes coolant specification MB 325.6 is the premix specification and meets all the same specification and OE part number requirements as the MB 325.5 specification mentioned above. Zerex’s Dex-Cool engine coolant will last up to five years, or 150,000 miles. The only time I did was due to a leak. In any case, not every person realizes that the radiator coolant likewise assists … I don't remember needing to top up my car's coolant since new. Color isn’t a great indicator of coolant condition, but if you see stuff floating in it, it’s ready for a change. Make sure you use the right antifreeze – different types don't mix well. MY VW Passat used to need topping up … Can't I run engine with cap off to keep topping up the radiator as the air bubbles go out? This use ends up generating rust … NOTE: Coolant (by that I presume you mean anti-freeze and not just water) tends to be funny stuff. June 2, 2017 - For some vehicles, you're advised to change the coolant every 30,000 miles. Why? Pour in the correct amount of antifreeze, then top up with water or mix the antifreeze solution in a watering-can and use that to pour it in. 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