How to Change Radiator Fluid

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Your car's coolant needs to be changed every one to two years, depending on the type of climate you live in. This article shows you how to safely and properly change theradiator coolant in your car.

Steps

1. 1
   Start with a cold engine and open the radiator cap. Ensure you have a system in place to capture all of the liquid, which is extremely toxic to pets and other animals

   
   
2. 2
   

   Under the front of the car, look at the bottom of the radiator and find a T-shaped bolt or small plug.
   Under the front of the car, look at the bottom of the radiator and find a T-shaped bolt or small plug. This is called the drain cock or radiator petcock.
3. 3
   Get 2 pans and a 5 gallon pail. The pail must be large enough to hold roughly 5 gallons, and you will need to rotate the 2 pans to avoid spillage.
4. 4
   Place this container beneath the radiator before opening the drain cock. Use your hand, or an appropriate sized wrench.
5. 5
   Allow the liquid to drain into the pan, and close the drain cock.
6. 6
   You also need to drain your engine block of fluid, as there is at least a gallon of it in there. You will have either one or two plugs in your engine block (refer to your car's manual to find out specifics), and it will be in the shape of a hex key or 3/8's extension.
7. 7
   Another method to avoid having to find these plugs, is to keep the radiator drain cock open, and the radiator cap off. Run water into the top of your radiator while your car is running. This will circulate the water through your block, and flush out all the remaining fluid. When clear water is running out of the drain cock, you have gotten all the old antifreeze out.
8. 8
   

   Turn off the car, close the drain cock, and fill your radiator and overfill reservoir to the correct level.
   Turn off the car, close the drain cock, and fill your radiator and overfill reservoir to the correct level. Run your car and fill your radiator as necessary, as the fluid still needs to circulate through your engine block.
9. 9
   Air pockets may be trapped in the tank and you will notice the level of coolant will drop and an air bubble may surface. Be sure to watch the temperature gauge as you are burping the system.
10. 10
    Replace the cap on the radiator. After this procedure, if you notice the engine running hot, add more coolant. It is possible another air pocket burped.
11. 11
    Be sure to follow these easy steps every 1–2 years, as the car's coolant is the most important part of the car's cooling system. Also be sure to take the old antifreeze liquid to an accredited recycle station.

    
    

Video

Tips

• Wear old work clothes; it is likely you will spill something that stains as you work on this.

Things You'll Need

• Radiator
• Coolant
• Car keys
• 
  

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