How to Check Coolant Levels

Learning how to check your coolant level is an important part of vehicle maintenance, but if you’re wondering “What is coolant?”, Capitol Acura can help. Coolant is an automotive fluid that helps to regular the temperature of your engine. The formula contains ingredients that won’t freeze below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and won’t overheat above 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which means your powertrain stays stable through any forecast in San Jose. Learn all about coolant maintenance, and get mores service tips with Capitol Acura!

Check Coolant Levels in Minutes

If it’s your first time popping the hood, learning how to check your coolant level isn’t as difficult as you might think. In fact, you can check coolant levels in minutes! You don’t even need to open up the radiator cap to check your coolant level.

• Look for the coolant reservoir. Check your owner’s manual if you have trouble finding it.
• Find the markings on the side of the coolant reservoir and look for the coolant fluid level.
• If the liquid level meets the “full” marking line, you don’t need to do anything else.
• If the liquid level is below the line, you’ll need to remove the radiator cap to add more coolant – but be sure the engine has cooled first.
• You’ll want to check your owner’s manual to find out what kind of coolant you’ll need, and you’ll also need to check your bottle of coolant to see if it is premixed or if you’ll need to mix it by hand.
• Take a quick look at the hoses connected to the radiator to make sure everything looks good, and then close the hood.

When to See a Service Technician

So, when do you need to see a service center around Santa Clara and Milpitas? The appearance of your coolant can tell you a lot about your car’s health. Coolant should be thinner than oil and thicker than water. When it seems thick and sludgy, it’s a good idea to schedule your service. You may have an internal gasket leak. This means you can still drive to the service center, but your engine might not receive sufficient coolant – which puts you at a risk of overheating and damage.

When to Change Coolant

When should you check your coolant levels? We recommend checking your coolant or scheduling your cooling system inspection every three to six months. This can help you establish what is normal, since there is a lot of variation in coolant types. Your coolant may be blue, green, yellow, or red. But, if it’s ever brown or colorless, it’s an indication that you need to flush the system and replace your coolant completely.

Get More Service Tips from Capitol Acura in San Jose!

Want more tips and tricks on how to check your coolant level properly? Feel free to contact us at Capitol Acura to learn all about DIY car care in San Jose. And if you’d like a professional’s opinion, don’t hesitate to schedule your appointment for service or maintenance at Capitol Acura.