How to Check Your Car’s Coolant Level
Monitoring your car’s coolant levels for easy car maintenance
Regular check-ups of coolant levels are essential for the health of your vehicle. Without a sufficient amount of coolant, it’s possible your car could overheat and cause significant damage to the engine.
Checking and topping up coolant levels can help your car run smoothly, giving you peace of mind every time you get behind the wheel.
For more tips and expert advice on keeping your car on the road, nip into Natrad. We even stock premium coolant products for all kinds of vehicles.
Watch the video or keep reading for step-by-step advice on checking your coolant.
What is coolant?
Engine coolant is a formulation of chemicals that help protect your car’s engine components from corrosion and cavities. Coolant is essential for providing an effective heat exchange medium which removes excess heat from the engine.
What you’ll need
For the purpose of safety, it’s best to use a glove and rag before looking under the hood. Using these will protect your hands from contact with any hot components such as the radiator cap.
How to check your coolant levels
1. Check your car is safe for inspection
Before checking your car, it’s vital to ensure the engine has cooled down. A hot engine could mean there is pressure in the cooling system and if opened, could result in hot liquid spurting out and causing serious injury. Lifting the hood can aid in letting heat escape and speed up the cooling down process.
2. Locating your car’s cooling system
When it’s safe to inspect your car, you’ll need to locate the coolant reservoir. If you’re having trouble locating the reservoir, then it’s best to refer to your car manual which will detail exactly where it is. Some vehicles may not have a reservoir. In this case, you’ll need to locate a cap that’s on top of the radiator.
3. Identify coolant levels
On the side of the reservoir, you’ll find markings that indicate when it is “low” or “full”. Because the reservoir is translucent, it should be easy to identify the level inside. If the coolant level is sitting close to or below the low mark, you’ll need to add more coolant. If your vehicle doesn’t have a reservoir, you’ll need to open the cap on top of the radiator and identify if the coolant level is low before adding more.
How often should I check my car’s coolant levels?
It’s a good idea to check coolant levels at least every three weeks or before a long trip. If you notice the temperature indicator in your car continuously displays high temperatures, then this could be a warning sign that your car is overheating from a lack of coolant.
Troubleshooting advice
If you find you have to top off your coolant frequently, this could indicate your car is leaking coolant. If this is the case, you need to have a specialist at Natrad inspect your cooling system.
If your engine is constantly overheating, you need to get advice from a radiator specialist to avoid potential damage to your engine. At Natrad, we can help you with all your radiator needs. Whether you’re having problems with overheating or need expert advice, we have everything you need.
For more information about changing coolant or radiator repairs, get in touch with us.
