Attention! Do not allow antifreeze to get into the skin or paintwork of the body. Wash off splashes immediately with plenty of water. Do not leave coolant in open containers or in puddles where children and pets can access it. The pleasant smell of this substance may attract their attention, but its ingestion can be fatal! Wipe up spilled antifreeze from the garage floor immediately. Keep antifreeze containers closed and repair leaks in the cooling system as soon as they are discovered. Dispose of used antifreeze in accordance with local codes and regulations. Never pour used antifreeze onto the ground or down a drain.
Note. Non-toxic coolant is available from some auto parts stores. Although fresh coolant of this type is non-toxic, the appropriate disposal regulations must be followed.
If local climatic conditions require it, the cooling system should be filled with a mixture of water and ethylene glycol based antifreeze that does not freeze to a temperature of at least 30°C or below. This mixture also provides corrosion protection and increases the boiling point of the coolant.
The cooling system should be emptied, flushed and refilled at least every two years (see chapter 1). Using the coolant for more than two years can cause damage and promote rust and heat buildup in the system. If the tap water in your area is hard, meaning it contains a lot of dissolved minerals, distilled water should be used to mix with the antifreeze.
Before adding antifreeze to the system, check all hose connections because antifreeze tends to leak through very small openings. Normally, engine coolant is not consumed. Therefore, if the level drops, find out the cause and eliminate it.
«correct» The mixture of antifreeze and water you should use depends on the relative weather conditions. The mixture should contain at least 50% antifreeze, but never more than 70% antifreeze. Before adding coolant, refer to the mix ratio chart given on the antifreeze container. Hydrometers are available at most auto parts stores to check the ratio of antifreeze to water (pic. 2.4). Use antifreeze that meets the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.
Pic. 2.4. An inexpensive hydrometer can be used to check the condition of the coolant