Peak – Antifreeze/Coolant, 50/50, Gallon (Part No. PKPB53)
In This Article...
I have a Kia Optima, how do I add coolant?
Kia Optima (2011-2016) LX 2.4L 4 Cyl. Coolant Addition Instructions
- Locate and clean the coolant reservoir by going to the reservoir.
- Check Level: Check the level of the coolant.
- Add Coolant: Select the right kind of fluid and add it appropriately.
- Replace the cap on the coolant reservoir and tighten it.
Can I simply top off my car’s coolant?
Add the proper coolant to the reservoir if the coolant level is low (not the radiator itself). Either diluted coolant alone or a 50/50 blend of concentrated coolant and purified water are acceptable. Replace the cap and tighten it until you hear a click when the coolant reaches the cold fill line. Zip up the hood.
Are coolant and antifreeze the same thing?
Antifreeze, commonly referred to as engine coolant, is combined with water to prevent the radiator from freezing in extremely cold weather and overheating in extremely hot weather. Knowing which type of coolant is best for your car or truck is crucial because there are numerous variations.
Is orange or green antifreeze preferable?
The components are the primary distinction between orange and green antifreeze. While orange coolant employs organic acid technology, green coolant uses inorganic additive technology. Older cars with an aluminum block are better suited for orange, while newer cars are better suited for green.
Here are some additional details on how these coolants differ from one another:
Green Coolant
This engine coolant was created especially for pre-2000 automobiles. In systems made of steel and copper, green coolant is used. The green mixture prevents rust and corrosion on the metallic components.
Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) is incorporated into the composition. IAT is made up of a variety of substances, including silicone, phosphate, and ethylene and propylene glycol.
The phosphates are made from phosphoric acid and are used to soften water as well as remove grease and oil. Silicones are utilized as the metal sealant to prevent wear, chemicals, and moisture from harming the components. Engine temperatures are controlled by using ethylene or propylene glycol.
Orange Coolant
Orange antifreeze isn’t intended for use in vehicles with a lot of metal, although it does assist in preventing corrosion and wear. On more recent models made of nylon and aluminum, it is used instead.
The carboxylates in the orange coolant help to prevent corrosion. However, unlike the green coolant, these compounds don’t damage the non-metallic components.
In the 1990s, systems construction started using less steel and copper. At that time, GM introduced DexCool, a product that combines Organic Acid Technologies (OAT) to lessen the occurrence of rust. When the oxygen level drops too low, orange coolant does, however, let oxygen into the system. This error causes internal component damage and blockages. It’s crucial to constantly refuel the system for this reason.
Can I fill my coolant reservoir with water?
If your engine is overheating, the coolant overflow reservoir is very low or empty, and you have no other choice, you can pour water into your car’s radiator.
This should only be done while traveling a short distance, and you should make sure that the radiator is cleansed and properly supplied with coolant and water when you get there.
Natrad offers you top-notch cooling products and guidance. Stop into Natrad to get the appropriate coolant for your car.
Only Use Water In The Radiator In An Emergency
You need to stop right away if you discover that your engine temperature is increasing. Check the level of the coolant overflow reservoir after allowing the engine to cool. You need to add fluid to your car if it’s severely low or empty.
If you must continue driving, you can add water to the radiator to get you there, though it’s better to use a 50/50 mix of coolant and water (or a pre-mixed coolant).
Following are the methods to safely top off your radiator’s coolant with water:
- Make sure your car is in Park, Neutral, with the parking brake engaged, and that the engine is off and completely cool.
- Before removing the coolant reservoir cover, let the engine cool. Hot coolant might splutter and perhaps burn you if you try to remove the cap while it’s still hot.
- Using a towel or other thick material, gently loosen the radiator cap. Before removing the cap entirely, take a step back and let the pressure out.
- Up until the fill line, fill the radiator with the best water you can find. Close the car’s bonnet after replacing the radiator cap and tightening it to a click.
Even though it’s not ideal, adding water will benefit your car more than having no fluid at all.
What Type Of Water Is Best?
You should top off your radiator with the best water you have if you don’t have any coolant on hand. This water should ideally be distilled. You can also use tap or bottled water. Remember that minerals in tap or well water can build deposits throughout your cooling system, causing corrosion and shortening the radiator’s lifespan.
Pros/Cons of Using Water
Your radiator system becomes more contaminated when you use water. Although using water instead of low coolant is significantly better for the engine, you should switch the water out as soon as you can for the proper coolant for your car.
Any remaining coolant in the radiator is diluted when water is added to it. Preventing corrosion, raising the boiling point of water, and reducing the freezing point of water are just a few of the crucial jobs that coolant does. While using water in place of the coolant will allow you to drive the automobile for a brief period of time, your engine won’t be adequately protected.
This means that the radiator needs to be filled with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water as soon as the issue that led to a low coolant level is resolved.
When Can I Add Coolant To The Radiator Again?
Have a specialist examine your radiator to find out why the coolant was low in the first place. Before adding coolant, the technician will find and fix any leaks, replace any damaged cooling system components, and flush the radiator.
Before adding more coolant, the radiator must be flushed. One factor that can cause aluminum radiators to malfunction is a consistent lack of radiator flushing. Ensure that after fixing the cooling system, the technician does a full radiator flush.
After completely flushing the radiator, fill it with distilled water and a 50/50 blend of the coolant recommended by the manufacturer of your car.
Make sure to get your automobile to a radiator professional as soon as possible to identify the reason of the coolant loss if you find yourself in a precarious scenario where you must drive your car while using water as the coolant.
It is less likely that the radiator, heater, and engine will sustain serious damage if the radiator is fixed as quickly as possible.
A Natrad expert can repair, clean, and diagnose radiator issues. To ensure that your vehicle works smoothly, we carry the highest-quality coolant and will refill it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Can I add water to top off the coolant?
Only in an emergency situation when the coolant liquid level is lower than it should be, should coolant be topped off with water.
You shouldn’t rely on topping up with water to bring you safely to the closest garage and help you find any problems.
A small amount of water added to coolant shouldn’t cause any significant harm, but too much water will lower the coolant’s boiling point and prevent it from performing as effectively.
Should I fill the reservoir or the radiator with coolant?
It differs, but in general, if your reservoir is empty, you can pour coolant directly to the radiator of an older automobile. However, if you only want to top off the coolant that is already there, you should always add coolant to the reservoir.
Use a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water when adding coolant to the radiator. Premixed coolants can be purchased from auto shops, although they cost more. Basically, all you’re paying for is the water that was added to the coolant concentrate.
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