Warning! Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body or painted surfaces of the vehicle. Wash off accidental splashes immediately with plenty of water. Remember that antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid and its ingestion, even in small quantities, can have the most serious consequences (even to the point of death). Never leave antifreeze stored in a loosely closed container and immediately collect any coolant spilled on the floor. Remember that the sweet smell of antifreeze can attract the attention of children and animals. Consult with local authorities about methods of disposal of used coolant. In many regions of the world, special collection points for various types of waste have been set up. Never pour old coolant into the sewer or onto the ground!
Note: Non-toxic grades of antifreeze have been developed in recent years, but they also require care in handling.
Regularly, in accordance with the vehicle's routine maintenance schedule (see section Schedule of current maintenance), the cooling system must be drained, flushed and filled with a fresh mixture of antifreeze and water. This type of maintenance helps prevent the development of corrosion inside the cooling system and significantly increases the efficiency of the system.
During maintenance, it is also mandatory to check the condition of all system hoses and the radiator filler cap (see section Checking the condition of the cooling system components). Defective components are subject to replacement. Do not forget about the precautions that must be observed when servicing the cooling system (see warning at beginning of Section). Remember that used coolant must be disposed of and should never be discharged into the sewer.
Emptying
1. Set the parking brake and support the wheels with wheel chocks. The actual maintenance procedures should be performed only after the engine has completely cooled down, i.e., several hours after the end of the trip.
2. Place a drain container under the radiator drain – the drain valve is located on the wall of the lower tank. Pull a section of hose with a diameter of about 9.5 mm onto the valve, lower the other end into the prepared container. Open the valve – use pliers if necessary.
3. After the engine has cooled down completely, remove the filler cap and wait until the radiator is completely drained. Move the drain container under the block drain valve and drain the coolant from the engine.
Note: If the fluid does not start draining after opening the valve, clear the hole with a small screwdriver.
4. Check the condition of the cooling system hoses and their fastening clamps (see section Checking the condition of the cooling system components).
Flushing
1. Once the system is completely drained, flush the radiator with clean water from a garden hose, continue flushing until a clear stream of water comes out of the top hose.
2. In cases of particularly heavy contamination or obstruction of the radiator, remove the latter (see chapter Engine cooling, interior heating and air conditioning systems) and deliver it to a car service workshop for restoration and maintenance. Corrosion products and dense deposits are removed from the cooling system tract by chemical treatment - follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the cleaning agent you purchased.
Note: If the system is flushed and coolant is replaced regularly, there should be no need to chemically treat the system.
3. Disconnect the overflow hose from the expansion tank and rinse the latter with clean water. Reconnect the hose.
4. Periodically remove any foreign objects stuck to the outside of the radiator.
Refueling
1. Tighten the drain valves.
2. Move the interior heating control handle to maximum heating.
3. Slowly pour fresh antifreeze and water into the radiator in a 1:1 ratio. Continue pouring until the fluid level rises to the bottom of the filler neck. Add coolant to the expansion tank, bringing its level to the bottom mark on the tank wall. Wait five minutes and check the coolant level in the radiator again, adjusting if necessary.
4. Without installing the radiator cap, start the engine and warm it up until the thermostat valve opens (the liquid should start to circulate through the radiator, and the upper hose of the latter will warm up).
5. Turn off the engine and let it cool down. Add some more liquid to the radiator, bringing its level to the lower edge of the filler neck.
6. Squeeze the upper radiator hose to release any air, and add a little more coolant if necessary. Replace the radiator cap.
7. Move the interior heating system control handle to maximum heating, turn on the heater fan to maximum speed.
8. Start the engine, warm it up to normal operating temperature and check the system for signs of leaks.
9. Overheating of the unit indicates the presence of air locks in the cooling tract. Turn off the engine and let it cool down – the air should leave the tract automatically. Repeat the procedure until the required temperature mode of the running engine is achieved.