Vehicle ownership comes with so many questions and concerns. How often should you replace tires and brakes? What type of engine oil is optimal for your car? Today, we’ll address another - which engine coolant for my car is best, and how do you check the antifreeze level in your car?
The role of engine coolant cannot be overstated. It keeps your vehicle running its best in all conditions, from the scorching summer heat to the frigid winter chill. It also protects engine components from corrosion.
Keeping your car’s coolant level topped up is an essential part of vehicle maintenance. We’ll walk you through how to check coolant level in car below, along with tips on handling the regular refills.
The short answer, though, is to let your car’s engine completely cool down. Then, open the engine bay and find the coolant reservoir located near the engine, marked by the universal coolant sign on the cap. Look for the level to be above the L (low) mark.
Learn more about how to check antifreeze in car below, or take the next step by sourcing antifreeze concentrate at Jennychem today. The perfect formulation is a few clicks away!
First things first, why do I need to put antifreeze in my car? There are two main reasons: engine performance and engine protection. Each is reason enough on its own to keep coolant levels topped off.
Coolant absorbs heat generated during combustion and prevents the engine from overheating. But, it also does the opposite in freezing conditions. It prevents the engine block from freezing, which could lead to cracks or lack of vital fluids circulating throughout the engine.
In either case, coolant keeps your engine’s temperature in the ideal range so it can run smoothly. You could end up dealing with catastrophic damage without it. Not just because of temperature extremes, either…
Coolant isn’t just water mixed with antifreeze - so what is antifreeze made of? It also contains additives that prevent corrosion, lubricate the water pump, and protect vital engine components.
This means that low coolant levels can expose parts like the radiator, thermostat, and hoses to excessive heat and wear. The end result is likely costly repairs or even complete engine failure.
We’ll walk you through how to check coolant level in car momentarily, as this is your best gauge of whether or not you need to top off your reservoir. There are other signs you may be dealing with low coolant levels, though:
Any of these are indicators that you need to fill your vehicle’s coolant reservoir. But, how do you check the antifreeze level in your car to be sure?
Knowing how to check antifreeze in car is an essential part of vehicle ownership, and fortunately, it’s really straightforward. First and foremost, do you check antifreeze when car is hot or cold?
You should only check the antifreeze level when the car is cold. This is a matter of safety, as coolant operates under high pressure when the engine is running.
Opening the reservoir or radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause hot coolant or steam to spray out, leading to serious burns. Give the engine at least 15-30 minutes to cool down before opening the system.
So, where does engine coolant go in a car? Finding the reservoir is the first step in how to check coolant level in car. This is a transparent (or at least semi-transparent) plastic container located under the bonnet, typically near the radiator.
It’s often marked with “coolant” or the universal icon, which resembles a thermometer floating in liquid. It will have both “Min” and “Max” markings, which is how you’ll actually determine whether coolant top-off is necessary or not.
Older vehicles may need to have their coolant levels checked directly at the radiator cap, which requires additional caution to avoid burns.
You’ve found the reservoir and the car is cool, so how do check the antifreeze level in your car? More specifically, how do you know if you need to add more coolant? Here’s our advice:
There you have it, how to check coolant level in car. Pretty simple, right? But the real work starts now, as you need to know how much coolant to add and which type is right for your make and model. We’ll share tips below.
While you can certainly bring your vehicle in for a professional servicing, this is something you can easily do in your garage or driveway. You just need to source the best engine coolant from Jennychem and follow the step-by-step instructions for adding coolant to your car.
There are many different types of antifreeze on the market, and you may not already know which is in your vehicle. Can you mix antifreeze? Definitely not - this is never recommended. Mixing incompatible types can lead to corrosion or system clogs.
Instead, take the time to consult your vehicle owner's manual or run an online search for your make, model, and year. You’ll find insights on whether you need IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology), OAT (Organic Acid Technology), or HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology).
No matter what antifreeze you end up needing, you can rest assured we’ve got it in store for you here at Jennychem. We’ve helped vehicle owners and fleet managers keep their engines optimised for more than 35 years now. Here are our most popular formulations:
You can always get in touch with our friendly customer service team for guidance on which is right for you. There’s no need to play the guessing game here.
We have all the other essentials you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly, too. That includes Ad Blue for sale, car screen wash, windscreen de icer, and even car cleaning products like car snow foam, traffic film remover, car shampoo, and more.
Shop now and give your car the care it deserves!
It’s important to note that some antifreeze is concentrated and must be diluted for application, whereas many pre-diluted coolants can be added neat.
This begs the question, is antifreeze the same as coolant? Not at all. Antifreeze is the raw product, whereas coolant is what circulates in your car after being mixed with water.
Most vehicles will rely on a 50:50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water for optimal freeze and boil protection. The distilled water distinction is important, as tap water contains minerals that can cause deposits and scaling in the cooling system.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer recommendations for dilution levels based on your specific climate.
Actually filling up your engine’s coolant reservoir is easy:
Our blog has more resources on how to dispose of antifreeze if you’re doing a flush. You can also find resources like how much does antifreeze cost, how long does coolant last, and many more.
That does it for our guide on how to check antifreeze in car. We hope you feel clear and confident in your next steps as we wrap this guide up with a few parting thoughts below.
Understanding how to check coolant level in car cannot be taken lightly, as this vital fluid protects your engine and saves you more costly repairs down the road. Locate the coolant reservoir, check the level, and top off with a formulation from Jennychem as needed.
It’s really that easy. So, what are you waiting for? Protect your vehicle from overheating or freezing along with all the risks that come with corrosion. Jennychem makes engine care simple. Shop today for reliable, longlasting engine coolant!
