Running, and warm enough so the coolant is cirulating, is good, but not entirely needed. ALWAYS BE CAREFUL the system isn't hot when you open it, or you can get burnt. Always check the amount of coolant after the car has been run and warmed up a bit and the thermostat has opened, which allows the coolant in the tank to then move through the sytsem. If there were empty spots before the liquids started moving, the amount in the system may now be low. That depends. Is the engine hot? If so, yes, it should be running. If it's already cooled down it doesn't matter. On the other hand, if it's REALLY hot, you should wait for it to cool before adding coolant.
It is best to do it while your vehicle is running so it will circulate through the system. You should add it to the reserve tank, never open the cap on your radiator (if it has one) while the system is hot.
Your engine should be cold ( to be on the safe side) when adding antifreeze/coolant. i let the car sit overnight and then add it.
yes you can?
You should never add full strength coolant to any vehicle. Always dilute it with distilled water
If the vehicle is cold yes but make sure you mix the antifreeze with water before you add it, 50-50 is the best mix.
Ford vehicles come from the factory with a 50 / 50 mix of distilled water and the correct type of antifreeze for the vehicle Ford states not to exceed 60% antifreeze in the mix ( when you live in a colder climate ) They also state to not drop below 40% antifreeze in order to provide corrosion protection ( although the corrosion inhibitor package in the antifreeze does " wear out " * only add the mixture with the engine cold *
No , it's best to add coolant when the engine is cold
Don't forget 50/50 solution too What kind of vehicle? What size engine? You don't add antifreeze to the engine, anyway. There should be an overflow jug on post '85 vehicles and on pre '85 vehicles you add the antifreeze to the radiator only. Please check your owner's manual or ask your car dealer for further information.
You should be running anti-freeze year round as it is a coolant also, hence the name "Anti-freeze/Coolant"
The cooling system in most vehicles has a reservoir and the reservoir is marked full and add. Open the cap when vehicle is totally cooled down and add a mixture of 50% water and 50% antifreeze and be sure to add the correct antifreeze for your vehicle. Never add just plain water unless it is an emergency to get you to a garage.
Whenever it needs it.
80% water
It is no longer necessary to add just water to a radiator in newer cars like the 2005 Malibu. An antifreeze that is half water and half antifreeze is usually best. Add the 50/50 antifreeze to the radiator overflow tank. It should be a plastic, see through tank hooked to the radiator.
Antifreeze does 2 things. First it protects your engine when the outside temperature is below freezing and the vehicle is not running. If the coolant freezes it could crack your engine block requiring a new engine. Caution: 100% antifreeze will also freeze up if it gets too cold. For best results you have to mix antifreeze and water. Check the antifreeze container for correct mixture. Antifreeze also has other things in it that keeps the water pump in good shape, prevents corrosion of the the radiator and helps transfer heat out of the engine. You need it even in hot weather.
Ford vehicles come from the factory with a 50 / 50 mix of distilled water and the correct type of antifreeze for the vehicle for year round use Ford states not to exceed 60% antifreeze in the mix ( colder climates etcetera )
you open the plastic bottle and pour in the antifreeze
It is usually best to add the correct mix of antifreeze and water (usually 50/50). In a situation where there is no antifreeze available, yes, add water, then check the coolant later to see if the mix is adequate, and adjust the mix if necessary.
Honestly I think that Pontiac made the overflow reservoir too small. I have to add antifreeze to my GF's Grand Am once every couple months. If its a consistent problem where you're having to add antifreeze daily/weekly the car may be running too hot, and should probably be looked at by a mechanic.
You can add it to the coolant reservoir. It's located in the top left corner of your engine. Make sure your car is cool before you add in the antifreeze.
Yes. Never add pure antifreeze. Pure antifreeze will actually freeze before a 50/50 mix. Add coolant that is a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water. You can buy it already pre-mixed.
in overflow jug
Drain & flush the system completely. Now add a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water until it is full. One gallon of antifreeze mixed with one gallon of distilled water should be more than enough.
check your antifreeze level (there should be an overflow tank with add and full lines) make sure there is antifreeze in there if there isn't add a 50/50 mix until it is full, start the engine, run for a few minutes and shut off. check the level again once it cools off. check your antifreeze level (there should be an overflow tank with add and full lines) make sure there is antifreeze in there if there isn't add a 50/50 mix until it is full, start the engine, run for a few minutes and shut off. check the level again once it cools off.
you can add antifreeze in 2 places. If engine is cold,open radiator cap and poor directly in.Also there is a antifreeze reservor thatr you can poor it in if it is empty. Remember just add fluid until it comes up to the cold line on resv.
yes