Jack Williams

New Year Car Maintenance: Check Your Coolant Level

The new year is upon us. It's time to go through a checklist of easy auto maintenance tasks that you can do in your driveway. One of the things you should be doing at least once a year, if not more often, is to check its level of coolant, or antifreeze. You don't need any tools.

The idea of your vehicle overheating might feel a little strange to think about in the middle of winter, but if your radiator is low, your car could overheat at any time of year, even in subzero temperatures. Overheating can cause your engine to sustain serious damage and possibly require replacement. If it's been a while since anyone checked your coolant, the beginning of the year is a perfect time to take a peek.

First, wait until the vehicle's engine has cooled. Give the engine at least an hour after use before you check the coolant level. Opening the coolant reservoir while the engine is hot could get you splashed with hot coolant, resulting in potentially serious burns.

Every vehicle is different, so the best way to find your coolant reservoir is to consult your vehicle's owner's manual. Typically, it's a translucent white plastic chamber anchored near the front or the side of your engine compartment. It's connected with a hose or tube to your vehicle's radiator, which is usually near the front of your engine compartment.

Most coolants sold in North America are green, yellow, or orange. You should be able to see a "fill" line on the side of the reservoir. If your coolant level doesn't reach the line, you need to add more. Purchase coolant following the guidelines in your owner's manual, and add it to your reservoir in a half-and-half mix with water.

[Photo credit: Mark Schwartz via Flickr, used under CC-BY-2.0 license]