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Locate the radiator cap. Check the radiator fluid step 1.

Basic Car Care Maintenance Checking Car Radiator Coolant Level

Start by removing a small amount of coolant using a baster then placing the coolant in a cup.

How to check radiator fluid. How to check and add radiator fluid inspecting the fluid level park your vehicle on even ground and open the hood. To find the reservoir look around your engine for a container with the words over flow reservoir on it or find the hose running from your radiator to a fluid container. Once you dip your test strip in the coolant it will change color.

Let s say that you replaced the coolant a couple of days ago. On the over flow reservoir there will be lines that indicate if it is too low or full make sure to fill. There is no dipstick or another meter to tell you whether you have enough coolant in the radiator on these older vehicles.

Once the engine is cool open the cap and suck a sample of coolant into the test tube. Open the radiator cap. How to check a vehicle s coolant antifreeze.

Adding pure coolant with no water can damage your radiator while too much water mixture can prevent your coolant from working effectively at extreme temperatures. To test your coolant mixture you ll need to take a sample from your radiator or coolant reservoir whichever s easiest. Check to see if your brand of coolant needs to be mixed with water or comes pre mixed.

Part 1 of 2. Each test kit will include a scale for how the test strip reacts and what that means for your coolant. If the coolant appears clean the next step is to check it for chemical deterioration.

Check the level of fluid inside the radiator. Be sure to let your engine cool down before you remove your radiator or coolant reservoir cap. Add the recommended for your vehicle as necessary.

Make sure the engine is cool. See if the fluid reaches the fill line. Turn off the engine and wait for the vehicle to cool down.

Consult your car owner s manual or repair manual. Just as the previous one you can miss this check. Now a litmus test can be used to determine the acidity or alkalinity of the coolant.

Now the engine is overheating. Simply top off your coolant to the top of the maximum fill line and close the cap. Check the fill line on the reservoir not the radiator if your vehicle has one.

Coolant is usually red green blue or yellow. If it looks colorless looks rusty or has things floating. Next check out the fluid level in the over flow reservoir.

Verify coolant level in the radiator and coolant reservoir. To get a reading you simply take off the radiator cap and dip the test strip in the coolant in your radiator. Rather than open the cap on the radiator just check to see whether the liquid reaches the full line on the side of the coolant reservoir.

If you happen to have an older vehicle without a visible overflow and fill tank you ll have to check the antifreeze coolant level by looking into the radiator.