How to Add Coolant to Your Car in Hagerstown, MD

Massey Hyundai in Hagerstown, Maryland wants to help our customers keep your vehicle to continue to run at its best this summer with some easy tips on how to evaluate your car’s coolant level. Your radiator is the core of your vehicle’s cooling system. This system directs radiator fluid or coolant around your engine’s cylinder heads and valves to absorb their heat and dissipate it safely using cooling fans. Without the radiator cooling your engine, the engine may overheat and stop working.

Radiators require both water and coolant (antifreeze) to function properly. To ensure this, you must check coolant levels and add coolant periodically in order to maintain an adequate radiator fluid level. To evaluate and refill your coolant, you will need the following materials:

• Gloves

• Towel/Rag

• Coolant

• Distilled Water

• Funnel

After the appropriate materials are gathered, you can begin to check your vehicle’s coolant by following the steps below:

1. Ensure the engine is cool

• You can Check if the vehicle is cool by touching your hand to the hood of the car. If the car has been recently running and is still hot, let it sit for approximately half an hour

2. Open the hood

3. Locate the radiator cap

• Most newer cars have labeled radiator caps and these caps usually have a more oval shape comparatively. If your radiator cap is not labeled, consult your owner’s manual

4. Open the radiator cap

• Pressing down on the cap when twisting can help loosen it

• Warning: Don’t open the radiator cap if it’s hot. This system is pressurized and this pressurized gas can cause severe burns if the engine is still hot when the cap is removed

5. Check the level of fluid inside the radiator

6. Locate the overflow tank and refer to your owner’s manual to see the coolant specifications for your vehicle

• If radiator fluid level is low and your overflow tank is full, there may be an issue with the radiator cap and overflow system

7. Mix coolant with distilled water

• Properly mixed radiator fluid is typically in a 50/50 proportion of coolant and distilled water

8. Pour the radiator fluid into the system, making sure not to go over the “full” line

• Warning: Make sure to put the radiator cap back on after adding the new coolant and before starting the engine

9. Start the engine

10. Check for any leaks