Can you replace coolant yourself?
Replacing your car's coolant is an essential part of vehicle maintenance that ensures your engine stays at the right temperature and prevents overheating. While many drivers prefer to leave this task to professionals, it is possible to replace coolant yourself if you have the right tools, knowledge, and precautions in place. In this article, we’ll explore whether you can tackle this task on your own and provide a step-by-step guide to help you decide.
Why Is Coolant Replacement Important?
Coolant, also known as antifreeze, plays a critical role in regulating your engine's temperature. Over time, coolant can degrade, lose its effectiveness, or become contaminated, which can lead to overheating, corrosion, or even engine failure. Regularly replacing your coolant ensures your car runs smoothly and avoids costly repairs down the road.
Can You Replace Coolant Yourself?
The short answer is yes, you can replace coolant yourself, but it requires careful attention to detail and adherence to safety precautions. If you’re comfortable working on your car and have some basic tools, this can be a manageable DIY project. However, if you’re unsure or uncomfortable, it’s always best to consult a professional mechanic.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following tools and materials:
- New coolant (check your owner’s manual for the correct type)
- A drain pan
- A funnel
- Gloves and safety goggles
- A wrench or screwdriver (depending on your car’s radiator drain plug)
- Distilled water (if your coolant needs to be mixed)
Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Coolant
Follow these steps to safely replace your car’s coolant:
- Step 1: Let the engine cool down. Never attempt to replace coolant while the engine is hot. Wait until it has completely cooled to avoid burns from hot coolant or steam.
- Step 2: Locate the radiator drain plug. Refer to your owner’s manual to find the drain plug on your radiator. Place a drain pan underneath to catch the old coolant.
- Step 3: Drain the old coolant. Open the drain plug and allow the old coolant to flow into the pan. Be sure to dispose of it properly, as coolant is toxic and harmful to the environment.
- Step 4: Flush the system (optional). If your coolant is particularly dirty or contaminated, you may want to flush the system with distilled water. Simply fill the radiator with water, run the engine for a few minutes, and then drain it again.
- Step 5: Add new coolant. Using a funnel, pour the new coolant into the radiator. If your coolant needs to be mixed, combine it with distilled water in the correct ratio (usually 50/50).
- Step 6: Bleed the system. Some vehicles require you to bleed air from the cooling system. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
- Step 7: Check for leaks. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Inspect the radiator and hoses for any leaks.
When to Seek Professional Help
While replacing coolant is a task many car owners can handle, there are situations where professional assistance is recommended:
- If you’re unsure about the type of coolant your car requires
- If your car has a complex cooling system that requires special tools
- If you notice persistent leaks or overheating issues
At Kevin’s Autos, we’ve been helping drivers maintain their vehicles since 1997. If you’re in the Mountain View, CA area and need assistance with coolant replacement or any other auto repair service, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (650) 965-7112. We’re here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to change coolant yourself?
Flushing coolant is generally not very difficult and can be accomplished by a DIY mechanic. Follow your owner's manual guidelines for how frequently to change coolant, and what type to use. There are many guides available online for how to accomplish mechanical tasks like this. Just search on Youtube or Google.
How to tell if a car is leaking coolant?
Here are some common signs to watch for:
- Coolant Puddles Under the Car. One of the most obvious signs of a coolant leak is a puddle of brightly colored fluid (usually green, orange, pink, or yellow) under your vehicle.
- Low Coolant Levels.
- Engine Overheating.
- Sweet Smell.
- White Smoke from the Exhaust.
Can I buy coolant and put it in myself?
Remove the cap completely. If the coolant level is low, add the correct coolant to the reservoir (not the radiator itself). You can use diluted coolant by itself, or a 50/50 mixture of concentrated coolant and distilled water. When coolant rises to the cold fill line, replace cap and tighten it until you feel it click.
How much should replacing coolant cost?
The cost of a coolant or antifreeze change will depend on the type and size of your vehicle. On average you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for a standard coolant change.
Is it okay to mix old and new coolant?
Mixing different brands of coolant for a car is generally not recommended. Coolants can have different chemical compositions and additives, and mixing them can lead to potential issues such as reduced effectiveness, corrosion, and damage to the cooling system (1).
Is antifreeze the same as coolant?
Well, antifreeze and engine coolant are similar, but not the same. Antifreeze is a concentrated, glycol-based liquid that must be diluted with water before use – at which point it is referred to as coolant. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-mixed engine coolant, a ready-to-use solution of antifreeze and water.
Does Autozone change coolant?
They will do very minor things if they aren't busy like change blinker bulb, install batteries, replace wiper blades, and a few things like that but they don't do any type of internal work like engine work or repairs. They might add coolant or stop leak to your radiator but they don't replace or repair parts.
Can you add new coolant on top of old coolant?
Generally speaking, it's not safe to mix different types of coolant as this can lead to corrosion and other problems with your car's engine.
Can you drive with low coolant?
What happens if I drive my car with no coolant? If you ignore these signs and continue to drive your car without coolant, your engine parts will get badly damaged – maybe even permanently – due to overheating. That is why it is very dangerous to drive your car when you are low on coolant.
Can I just add coolant to my car without flushing?
Simply draining the radiator may get rid of most of the old antifreeze but could leave some coolant and contaminants behind, which would then mix with and pollute your new antifreeze and cause overheating. You want a full flush, a forced removal of anything old so you can pave the way for new fluid.
