Questions about adding anti-freeze to my car?

Question

I'll admit it. I've never added anti-freeze. There's always been a boyfriend or male family member around who volunteered. Well it's freezing cold and time for me to figure this out for myself. I know there are 2 major types of antifreeze-reg and dex-and I don't know which one I have in my car (because I am still struggling to get the overflow cap off that my brother put on super-tight) I bought Peak brand antifreeze that says it is for any car and can be added to any color of antifreeze so i should have no worries about putting in the wrong type, right? Also, do I have to mix anti-freeze and water 50/50 in a bucket and pour it in or is it okay to just pour in a pint of AF ad then a pint of water? Also, can I add this to my overflow tank or does it need to to straight in my radiator? Thanks in advance. Oh, and f you can recommend a basic car-care book (theSaturn manual isn't very informative) for girls like me who want to learn about this stuff, feel free to do that too.

I want to add antifreeze because the level in the overflow tank is a couple of inches below the cool-full line. It just got super-cold here in St. Louis--like 10 degrees F and my car is a major source of livelihood. what I probably need is a drain and fill as it has been a couple of years, but I want to be safe in the meantime until i have time to take it in for that.

Answer 1

You can just pour in equal amounts of antifreeze and water. If the overflow tank is dry you should take off the radiator cap while the engine is cold and top it off. If you're just topping off the overflow tank and you don't use much coolant, just add to the tank.
If you go to the auto parts store you'll find a Haynes or Clymers or Chilton manual for your model car. They have good routine maintenance advice and more serious stuff if you want to try to fix something.
There are about 5 types of antifreeze now. If you're not sure your Y chromosome assistants have always put the right type in, it would be best to flush the radiator out and refill it with the recommended stuff. Mixing the wrong types can lead to a cooling system full of goop.

Answer 2

Remember there are no stupid questions only stupid people that do not ask questions.

The differences in antifreezes appear to be narrowing. At some risk of oversimplification there are the pink/orange and the blue/green types of antifreeze. The pink is supposed to last 5years. I would buy the premixed antifreeze that already is mixed 50/50%. You should add antifreeze to the radiator and the overflow reservoir when the engine is cold. Fill up the radiator and fill the reservoir no more than about 1/3 full. I might ask why the cooling system became low. Is it leaking? If so, you will need to correct whatever is leaking.

Answer 3

I am not a mechanic but have done basic stuff on my own cars over the years.

So here goes... First, why are you adding AF? is it below the line on the overflow tank? Normally I have never had to add AF to any of my cars. I had a Saturn SL2 1996, drove it to about 80k and never added a drop. Changed it once, but never added a drop.

As for where you should add it I would say to add it. The overflow should have a "hot" full line and a "cold" full line. If the engine is hot, fill it to the hot line if it is cold well I don't mean to talk down to you, but fill it to the cold line.

As for great job your brother did on the cap... I can't remember what the cap looked like on my Saturn, heck can't remember what the one on my current car looks like. But some of them are sort of like child safety caps on medicine bottles and will need to be pushed down while turning.

I hope some of this was helpful.

Answer 4

Your car should have plenty of antifreeze in it. Why does it need more? Do you have a leak? Has it been changed in the past 2 years? If everything is full, you should not need to add any.
If it is low, you need to find out why. You can add to the overflow tank, but check the level when the car is warmed up. Never open the radiator cap when the car is warm!!!!!!! you can open it and see if yoor radiator is full when it is cold.

Answer 5

go to auto zone or any car care place and pic up an antifreeze/coolant meter its a little turkey baster lookin thing with tiny plastic balls in it that measure how much coolant is in the vehicle and how much you need. In reguards to the type of coolant you need if the coolant label says its ok on all types of coolant then your ok, you can also check the color of the coolant( whenever you get the cap off)and just get the same color,try using rubber gloves. autozone will also have a detailed car manual(much better than the one you have now) p.s. coolant meter is about 7 bucks manual about 20 but worth it.

Answer 6

If it's only a matter of a low level in the reservoir, overflow, just add anti freeze and forget it It won't hurt if you have more just when not enough do you worry. Add it and forget it no harm done.

Answer 7

It could matter where you live but if you have good color you are probably OK. In cold climates you would want more than water in warmer maybe more water.I go by the way it looks and I have`nt ever had a problem in 30+years.

Answer 8

all you have to do dear,is fill the recovery tank(thats the plastic jug on the fender).fill it up to between the add and full mark and vacume will draw it into the radiator.if its like here in pa.,then you better take it to someone to check it,so you know it wont freeze.good luck.