How often do you change the coolant?
For some vehicles, you’re advised to change the coolant every 30,000 miles. For others, changing it isn’t even on the maintenance schedule. For example, Hyundai says the coolant in the engine (what many refer to as “antifreeze”)...
Does engine coolant color determine coolant condition?
Color isn’t a great indicator of coolant condition, but if you see stuff floating in it, it’s ready for a change. If your engine is running hot, even if the coolant level is good, it could mean the fluid has deteriorated. Finally, when you decide to change engine coolant, don’t shop for a certain color, but the type your engine requires.
What happens if you don't change your car coolant?
The coolant can become more acidic over time and lose its rust-inhibiting properties, causing corrosion. Corrosion can damage the radiator, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, hoses and other parts of the cooling system, as well as to the vehicle heater system.
Do modern cars need to flush their coolant?
However, it is true that modern cars don’t need to replace or flush their coolant as often as older models. This is because lawmakers and the public have gradually increased demands that manufacturers make cars more environmentally friendly. This leads to fewer coolant changes.
What happens if you dont change coolant?
The coolant can become more acidic over time and lose its rust-inhibiting properties, causing corrosion. Corrosion can damage the radiator, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, hoses and other parts of the cooling system, as well as to the vehicle heater system. And that can cause a car engine to overheat.
How often do you need to change coolant?
As a general rule of thumb, you should get a coolant flush every 30,000 miles or three to five years, whichever comes first. Your car's owner's manual should also outline a more specific interval depending on the manufacturer. Other factors include type of coolant and the environment in which you typically drive.
How long does coolant last in a car?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FLUSH THE COOLANT? Depending on the vehicle and the coolant, the average time between flushes is two years or 30,000 miles for silicated coolants and up to five years or 100,000 miles for an extended drain coolant.
How much does coolant change cost?
between $100 and $200On average you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for a standard coolant change.
How much should a coolant flush cost?
The average cost to flush coolant from a radiator is anywhere from $100 to $200. The exact cost will usually depend on where you go (an independent mechanic will be cheaper than a dealership). Some less reputable shops might only charge between $50 and $100.
How do I know if I need a coolant flush?
If you find that your temperature gauge is always high and your engine is frequently overheating, chances are that you need a coolant flush. Allowing your engine to overheat can cause serious, costly problems, so it is best to visit a mechanic at the first signs of temperature issues.
Is coolant the same as antifreeze?
Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat. There are many different types of coolant, so it's important to know what variety is right for your car or truck.
How do I know if my car needs coolant?
5 Signs That Your Vehicle Needs An Antifreeze/Coolant ServiceThe temperature gauge reads hotter than normal when the engine is running.Antifreeze leaks and puddles beneath your vehicle (orange or green fluid)A grinding noise is coming from under the hood of your car.More items...•
How do I know if I need a coolant flush?
If you find that your temperature gauge is always high and your engine is frequently overheating, chances are that you need a coolant flush. Allowing your engine to overheat can cause serious, costly problems, so it is best to visit a mechanic at the first signs of temperature issues.
How do I know if my car needs coolant?
5 Signs That Your Vehicle Needs An Antifreeze/Coolant ServiceThe temperature gauge reads hotter than normal when the engine is running.Antifreeze leaks and puddles beneath your vehicle (orange or green fluid)A grinding noise is coming from under the hood of your car.More items...•
Does coolant expire?
Coolant made up of antifreeze and water out of your household tap, 50-50 solution, would last for around 3 years. Coolant made up of antifreeze and distilled (de-ionised) water, 50-50 solution, should last for around 5 years.
Is antifreeze and coolant the same thing?
Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat. There are many different types of coolant, so it's important to know what variety is right for your car or truck.
How to know if engine coolant is good?
One way to ensure your engine is well-protected is to change the coolant according to the schedule. However, that could be misleading, causing you to change too soon or too late. A quick coolant checkup, using an antifreeze tester, on a regular basis can tell you if your engine coolant is depleted of additives. Color isn’t a great indicator of coolant condition, but if you see stuff floating in it, it’s ready for a change. If your engine is running hot, even if the coolant level is good, it could mean the fluid has deteriorated. Finally, when you decide to change engine coolant, don’t shop for a certain color, but the type your engine requires.
What does it mean when your coolant is hot?
If your engine is running hot, even if the coolant level is good, it could mean the fluid has deteriorated. Finally, when you decide to change engine coolant, don’t shop for a certain color, but the type your engine requires.
What is the difference between green coolant and long life coolant?
The difference is in the additive package. Green coolant contains inorganic oxides, like silicates, phosphates and borates, which form a protective layer. Long-life coolants are formulated using carboxylates, which react chemically with engine surfaces to prevent corrosion.
What additives are used to keep coolant from eating your engine?
Additives give engine coolant a much longer life than plain water. Corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, anti-foaming agents, colorants and other additives keep the water/alcohol blend from eating your engine. Additive life essentially determines engine coolant lifespan in any given engine, whatever or wherever you drive.
What is engine coolant made of?
The Stuff of Engine Coolant. Nearly all engine coolants are based on water, an excellent heat transfer medium. Ethylene glycol or propylene glycol make up much of the rest of the mixture, preventing freezing, but you can’t just dump water into your engine if you live in an area that never gets cold. Additives give engine coolant a much longer life ...
Why is it important to maintain a car?
Regular maintenance is key to engine performance, efficiency, reliability and longevity. Knowing when to change coolant, engine oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid, among other adjustments, will help you get the most out of your vehicle.
Is heat good for internal combustion engines?
Even in the most efficient internal combustion engines, little of the explosive energy of the fuel is converted to motive power to get you down the road. The rest of the fuel’s chemical energy is lost as heat. Some heat is good, as it improves fuel vaporization and efficiency. Too much heat leads to destructive detonation, ...
How often should I change coolant in a Hyundai?
For example, Hyundai says the coolant in the engine (what many refer to as “antifreeze”) in most of its models should be replaced after the first 60,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles after that. The interval is every 30,000 miles on some Mercedes-Benz models with some engines, but on others it’s 120,000 miles or 12 years. On still other Mercedes, it’s 150,000 miles or 15 years.
Why do cars use 50/50 coolant?
Here’s why: Most vehicles use long-life engine coolant (usually a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water) in the radiator that for several years will provide protection against boiling in hot weather and freezing in cold temperatures, with little or no maintenance. Modern vehicles also have longer intervals between fluid changes of all types partly because environmental regulators have pressured automakers to reduce the amount of old coolant, as well as other waste fluids, that must be disposed of or recycled.
How many miles does a Mercedes take to cool down?
On still other Mercedes, it’s 150,000 miles or 15 years. Some manufacturers recommend you drain and flush the engine’s cooling system and change the coolant more often on vehicles subjected to “severe service,” such as frequent towing, which can generate more heat.
Why do vehicles have longer intervals between fluid changes?
Modern vehicles also have longer intervals between fluid changes of all types partly because environmental regulators have pressured automakers to reduce the amount of old coolant, as well as other waste fluids, that must be disposed of or recycled.
Can coolant cause corrosion?
The coolant can become more acidic over time and lose its rust-inhibiting properties, causing corrosion. Corrosion can damage the radiator, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, hoses and other parts of the cooling system, as well as to the vehicle heater system. And that can cause a car engine to overheat. Thus, the coolant in any vehicle ...
Can coolant deteriorate over time?
Coolant can deteriorate over time and should be tested to see if it’s still good, as it can be hard to tell just by appearances. Even if the coolant reservoir shows sufficient coolant level and testing shows the cooling and antifreeze protection are still adequate, a coolant drain and antifreeze flush may be needed.
Should antifreeze be changed?
If the corrosion inhibitors have deteriorated, the antifreeze coolant should be changed. The cooling system might also need flushing to remove contaminants no matter what the maintenance schedule calls for or how many miles are on the odometer. On the other hand, if testing shows the coolant is still doing its job protecting from overheating and not allowing corrosion, changing it more often than what the manufacturer recommends could be a waste of money.
Why Change the Coolant at All?
Sometimes, it can be more frequently than you think.
What does a mechanic do when coolant deteriorates?
When coolant deteriorates, it becomes more acidic and no longer protects your vehicle from rust.
How many miles does it take to fix a coolant leak?
This causes damage to every part your coolant touches, from the heater core to the water pump, and even the radiator. If your vehicle has more than 50,000 miles, it’s a good idea to have the condition of your coolant checked. Second, if you have had any type of repair on the cooling system, the cooling system of your engine was exposed to air ...
How many miles does coolant last?
Let’s not forget those “lifetime” coolant that you may have seen advertised. If you read the fine print, “lifetime” generally means between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. This can all be confusing and the reason why many people simply don’t flush or change their coolant until a repair makes it necessary.
What does it mean when your engine is not flushed?
It also means coolant was added to your vehicle. If the engine wasn’t properly flushed of coolant at that time, you have a mix of both old and new coolant. This could mean that the old coolant is “worn out” and diluting the new coolant. This can cause the entire cooling system to not be as efficient as it could be.
Why are coolant changes so low?
This is because lawmakers and the public have gradually increased demands that manufacturers make cars more environmentally friendly. This leads to fewer coolant changes.
Can you drain coolant from a car?
You can’t drain all the coolant from your car as you can with oil. To remove all of the coolant, a machine needs to be hooked up to the vehicle so it can force out the old coolant. This is usually called a coolant flush and is far more effective at removing all of the old, dirty coolant from your vehicle. It’s also a better value for your money.
When to change coolant?
However, you'll need to change the coolant once every 60,000 miles at the beginning, and then you can change it once every 30,000 miles.
Why change coolant at the right time?
Therefore, changing the coolant at the right time helps prevent these issues and eliminate any potential damages.
What is the coolant, and what does it do?
Before we discuss the details about “when to change coolant?” It is important to understand the main role of coolant in your vehicle and why it is important to change it.
Why is my coolant low but no leak?
When this happens, it means that the coolant is leaking somewhere inside your vehicle, not outside. This could be due to a problem with a fractured cylinder or probably a blown head gasket.
How much should coolant flush cost?
Typically, a coolant flush would cost you between $71 and $115. This involves both labor and parts costs. However, if you have the means and can do the coolant flush yourself, it shouldn't cost you more than $30 on parts only.
How to tell if coolant is flushing?
One of the very common symptoms you'll notice when your vehicles do for a coolant flush is hearing weird grinding noises from underneath the hood. When this happens, you must consult your mechanic to get an idea about what needs to be done next.
Why is coolant not running around the engine?
In other words, the coolant won't be continuously running around the engine all the time because otherwise, the engine won't reach the minimum optimum temperature. The thermostat is the small component that allows or prevents coolants from running our engine depending on the engine's current temperature.
Changing Laws, Cars and Demands
Why Change The Coolant at All?
- While most manufacturers recommend thousands of miles before changing your coolant, there are plenty of reasons why it should be done. Sometimes, it can be more frequently than you think. First, coolant can and does deteriorate over time. It’s always a good idea to have your trusted mechanic test the coolant to ensure that it is still working properly. This is difficult to tell simply b…
Different Types of Coolant and Colors
- Have you noticed that some coolants are green while others are pink? There is an important distinction between the two. As coolant changed over the years, the industry used different colors in hopes of making “topping off” or adding coolant easier. It is VERY important that you use the correct one for your vehicle, especially if repairs were done and extra coolant was added. Hopef…
Flush Or Drain and Replace
- When you simply drain and replace, the only coolant you are changing is what is inside the radiator, the overflow reservoir, and possibly a bit that is inside the radiator hoses. This is less than half of what is inside your engine. You can’t drain all the coolant from your car as you can with oil. To remove all of the coolant, a machine needs to be hooked up to the vehicle so it can f…
in A Nutshell
- In the end, flushing the old coolant from your vehicle is cheap insurance, especially when you consider the cost of a new radiator or water pump. Have a trusted mechanic measure the protection of the coolant in your vehicle if you have 50,000 or more miles on your vehicle or if you have had some type of repair done on the cooling system and you have doubts about the coolan…