Where is the Engine Coolant Drain Plug Located? If you can still not locate it, check your owners manual. It will be a transparent plastic tank and you can see the coolant inside. You can usually find the tank by following the hose coming out of the radiator. The reservoir tank is attached to the engine and radiator by hoses. When the system cools down, the decreased pressure will suck coolant back into the radiator. This excess fluid runs into the storage tank. As the system heats up, coolant is forced out through the pressure cap on the radiator. The reservoir is the storage tank for excess coolant. Where is the Radiator Coolant Reservoir Located? You should always take the old radiator fluid to a recycling center to ensure proper disposal.
When changing out the radiator fluid in your, you should never pour the old fluid down the drain. However, flushing the radiator and cooling system before refilling it is also a good idea to help remove dirt and other contaminants that are not easily drained. If you drive your in extreme extremely hot temperatures often, you may want to consider changing the fluid once a year or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.Ĭhanging the radiator fluid in your is a straightforward process that involves removing the drain plug from the bottom of your radiator, allowing the fluid to drain and then refilling the radiator with new antifreeze and water. However, your personal driving habits will also determine the frequency of needed radiator fluid changes. Most manufacturers recommend that you change the radiator fluid in your every 24,000 to 36,000 miles, or every 24 to 36 months. When this occurs, the radiator fluid is much less effective and should be changed. Over time, dirt and other contaminants can build up in the fluid, or it may become acidic. You should periodically change the radiator fluid in your to help your 's cooling system function at its best. Periodically Change Your Car's Radiator Fluid
It also helps to keep the engine block from freezing in extreme cold temperatures when the vehicle is parked. The radiator fluid, or antifreeze coolant, is the liquid mixture of antifreeze and water that runs throughout your 's cooling system and helps keep your engine cool while running.
However, if you’re unsure of which fluid to use to keep your vehicle performing at its best, refer to your owner’s manual or ask a trusted mechanic.Is perhaps the most vital part of your 's cooling system. We selected five of the best-rated antifreeze and coolant fluids that are also compatible with most vehicle makes and models. When browsing the various types of fluids, it’s easy to get confused. Running your car on older deteriorating antifreeze or coolant can cause acid buildup, scaling and reduced resistance to extreme temperatures. The longer you use coolant, the more its useful chemical properties break down.
Performing routine maintenance on your vehicle’s cooling system will ultimately prolong the engine’s life. Antifreeze also fends off rust and corrosion, helping to extend the life of water pumps, radiators and other cooling system components. In the winter, the chemical formulas in antifreeze also prevent water and moisture from freezing, which can damage the cooling passages inside the engine and other components just as it would the pipes in your house. Combustion engines generate lots of heat, and coolant, a mixture of antifreeze and water, plays a vital role in regulating their operating temperatures.