How to Check Your Vehicle's Coolant Levels

Six essential fluids help your vehicle run efficiently and effectively - and coolant may be one of the most important, especially because it impacts engine performance and temperature. Read on to learn more about the importance of coolant, signs your vehicle is low on coolant, how to find the coolant tank, and more.

What Is Coolant and Why Is It Important?

What is coolant? Most blends are a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze, and you can pick up a gallon at your local hardware or auto supply store.

Yet, despite these simple blends and low costs, coolant plays a vital role in your vehicle. Coolant is so crucial because it regulates the temperature of your vehicle's engine. It helps prevent your engine from overheating during the hot summer months and freezing during the cold winter months. Coolant also helps protect the engine from corrosion.

If your vehicle is low on coolant, your engine is more likely to overheat or sustain damage. That's why you should always ensure you have adequate levels of coolant in your vehicle.

Signs Your Vehicle Might Be Low on Coolant

The easiest way to tell whether your vehicle is low on coolant is to simply pop the hood and locate the reservoir tank to see for yourself (more on how to do this in the next section). However, there are other signs that you should take note of that are likely to indicate low volumes of coolant. These are:

• A rising engine temperature gauge: If your engine temperature is rising more than normal, one culprit may be low levels of coolant. When coolant levels are low, it's unable to absorb heat buildup from the engine and release it through the radiator.
• Coolant leaks: Coolant can be either green, orange, or even pink in color - and if you spot puddles of this colored liquid under your vehicle, it could be a sign of a coolant leak. Leaks often originate from the hose connections and can deplete the coolant reservoir tank over time.
• Unusual smell: If you catch a sweet smell coming from the area around your vehicle's engine, you may have a leak.
• Poor heater performance: Low coolant won't just increase your vehicle's engine temperature, it can also impact the heating performance of your vehicle.

Additionally, if your vehicle is experiencing low coolant, you'll likely see the radiator light on your dashboard illuminate. This can help alert drivers to coolant problems before major vehicle issues arise.

‍How to Locate the Coolant Reservoir in Your Vehicle

‍The coolant tank in your vehicle is easy to find if you know where to look. Here's how to locate it:

1. Pop the hood of your vehicle.
2. Find the radiator and look for a plastic tank near this component. The tank is often labeled accordingly and connected to the radiator via hoses.
3. If the tank isn't labeled "coolant," it will likely include a radiator symbol on the cap.

Step-by-Step Guide to Checking Coolant Levels

‍While checking the coolant levels is fairly straightforward, there are some key safety steps that you'll want to follow to avoid injury. For instance, it's important not to check coolant levels until your vehicle's engine has fully cooled. If the vehicle is still hot, the coolant system is still likely under pressure and opening the cap to the tank could result in hot coolant discharge, which could result in burns. Noting this, that's the all-important first step to checking coolant levels - don't do it until your engine has cooled.Subsequent steps are as follows:

1. Locate the coolant tank: Follow the steps in the section above to locate the coolant tank.
2. Locate the markings on the tank: The coolant tank should have markings that indicate the maximum and minimum fluid levels. Use these markings to gauge whether the fluid is at an adequate level.
3. Add coolant if necessary: If your coolant level is at or below the minimum marking on the tank, add coolant so that it reaches an adequate level. Make sure you refer to your vehicle owner's manual to determine the right type of coolant to use. Use a funnel to add fluid to avoid spills.

What to Do If Your Coolant Level Is Low

‍If your coolant is low, you'll want to add more coolant to your vehicle to avoid engine overheating and some of the other worst-case scenarios that come with low coolant levels.If you're driving and notice low coolant levels, pull over to a safe spot, let the engine cool, and add more coolant until it reaches the "full" marking on the reservoir tank. Follow the steps in the section above to locate the coolant tank and check its level.

‍Tips for Maintaining Your Coolant System

‍To avoid issues with your coolant system and the volume of fluid in the coolant tank, follow these tips to ensure proper maintenance:

• Check coolant levels often: By being proactive and checking your coolant levels frequently, you can more quickly catch leaks or other problems with the system.
• Have your coolant flushed according to manufacturer recommendations: This service removes and replaces the coolant in the system. Over time, rust, sediment, and other debris may build up in the tank, impacting system performance. It's suggested coolant flushes be done every 30,000 miles or once every three to five years.
• Pay attention to your vehicle: If you notice the engine temperature gauge increasing or see the radiator dashboard light come on, have your vehicle serviced promptly and any issues resolved.

Contact Your Local GreatWater-Affiliated Shop Today

‍For more information on the importance of coolant, how to check coolant level, and signs that your vehicle may be low on coolant or need a coolant flush, contact your local GreatWater-affiliated shop today. As a network of full-service automotive centers, there's no job too big or too small for our professional technicians. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.