Attention! Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body and painted surfaces of the car. Wash off accidental splashes with plenty of water without delay. Remember that antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid and getting it into the body, even in small quantities, is fraught with the most serious consequences (up to death). Never leave antifreeze stored in a loosely sealed container and clean up spilled coolant on the floor without delay. Remember that the sweet smell of antifreeze can attract the attention of children and animals. Consult your local authorities for disposal of used coolant. In many regions of the world, special points have been set up to receive various types of detention. Never drain old coolant down the drain and onto the ground!
Note. Recently, non-toxic grades of antifreeze have been developed, but they also require care in handling.
Regularly, in accordance with the schedule of routine maintenance of the car (see Section Schedule of ongoing maintenance), the cooling system must be emptied, flushed and filled with a fresh mixture of antifreeze and water. This kind of maintenance helps to prevent the development of corrosion inside the cooling path and significantly increases the efficiency of the system.
During maintenance, the condition of all system hoses and the radiator filler cap must also be checked (see Section Checking the Condition of the Cooling System Components). Defective components must be replaced. Remember the precautions to be taken when servicing the cooling system (see warning at the beginning of Section). Remember that used coolant must be disposed of and must never be drained into the sewer.
Emptying
1. Apply the parking brake and chock the wheels. The direct execution of maintenance procedures should be started only after the engine has completely cooled down, i.e., several hours after the end of the trip.
2. Get a drain container under the radiator drain - the drain valve is located on the wall of the lower tank. Pull a piece of hose with a diameter of about 9.5 mm onto the valve, lower the other end into the prepared container. Open the valve - if necessary, use pliers.
3. After waiting for the final cooling of the engine, remove the cap from the filler neck and wait until the radiator is completely empty. Move a drain pan under the block drain valve and drain the coolant from the engine.
Note. If after opening the valve the liquid does not begin to drain, clean the hole with a small screwdriver.
4. Check the condition of the hoses of the cooling path and their clamps (see Section Checking the Condition of the Cooling System Components).
Flushing
1. After completely emptying the system, flush the radiator with clean water from a garden hose, continue flushing until a clean, clear stream comes out of the top hose.
2. In cases of particularly severe contamination or impaired patency of the radiator, remove the last (see chapter Engine cooling, interior heating and air conditioning systems) and deliver it for refurbishment and service to a car service workshop. Corrosion products and dense deposits are removed from the cooling system path by chemical treatment - follow the instructions of the manufacturers of the cleaning agent you purchased.
Note. With regular system flushing and coolant replacement procedures, the need for chemical treatment of the tract should not arise.
3. Disconnect the overflow hose from the expansion tank and flush the latter with clean water. Reconnect the hose.
4. Periodically remove foreign objects adhering to the outside of the radiator.
Refueling
1. Tighten drain valves.
2. Move the interior heating control knob to maximum heating.
3. Slowly pour a fresh 1:1 mixture of antifreeze and water into the radiator. Continue filling until the liquid level rises to the lower cut of the filler neck. Add coolant to the expansion tank, bringing its level to the lower mark on the tank wall. Wait five minutes and recheck the coolant level in the radiator, adjust if necessary.
4. Without installing the cap on the radiator, start the engine and warm it up until the thermostat valve opens (the liquid should begin to circulate through the radiator, while the upper hose of the latter will warm up).
5. Stop the engine and let it cool down. Add a little more fluid to the radiator, bringing its level to the lower cut of the filler neck.
6. By squeezing the upper radiator hose, bleed the air out of it, if necessary, add a little more coolant. Reinstall the radiator cap.
7. Move the interior heating control knob to maximum heating, turn on the heater fan at 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 pockets in the cooling path. Shut off the engine and let it cool down - the air should leave the tract automatically. Repeating the procedure, achieve the required temperature regime of the running engine.