The radiator of your vehicle is considered to be the heart of the cooling system of every vehicle. This system will guide the radiator fluid or the coolant fluid around the cylinder heads of the engines and the valves to absorb the heat and make it disappear safely by using cooling fans. The radiator will cool down your engine.
So can you add coolant straight to the radiator? Yes, you can if your vehicle has no overflow tank or if your tank is not emptying back in your cooling system. You have to ensure that the coolant will not reach beyond the line.
If you have no radiator, your engine can overheat, and it can also stop working. The radiator will need water and coolant or antifreeze so that it can function correctly, so you always need to check your coolant. This is part of the regular maintenance and checking you should do to your vehicle to maintain its good condition.
People have been asking whether they can add their coolant straight from the radiator. A lot of people are already doing it and a lot of people are still hesitant to do such a thing.
In this article, we will discuss more of that matter. Let us get started.
Table of Contents
Can I Add Coolant Directly Into The Radiator?
If you have no overflow tank or if your tank is not emptying back into the cooling system, you can add and pour directly the coolant into the radiator. You need to make sure, though, that it will not go over the entire line.
You also have to ensure that you put the radiator cap back on after adding the new coolant before starting the engine. But the ideal thing is to add your coolant to the reservoir and not the radiator.
What Happens If You Put Coolant Straight In The Radiator?
The excess coolant will be expelled through an overflow hose. So you can add the coolant straight on the radiator. You have to make sure that you will not overfill your coolant.
If you overflow your coolant, your antifreeze tank can leak, and it will lead to electrical damage if it overflows. But you must add the coolant in the reservoir and not in the radiator if you can help it.
Where Should You Put Coolant Instead?
It would help if you put your coolant in the reservoir and not in the radiator. First, you need to ensure that the engine is off and your engine is excellent. Next, you must park it in neutral and set the parking brake.
Next, you have to open the hood and find the engine coolant reservoir. You can see it in a translucent white color. It also has a hose that is connected to the radiator.
The reservoir has a fill range that is marked on the side. If your engine is cold, the level of the coolant will be on the cold fill line. You then have to loosen the reservoir cap just a little.
Keep your distance, and then allow the pressure to release. Remove the cap entirely after. If the coolant level is low, you need to add the correct coolant to the reservoir and not in the radiator.
You can even put diluted coolant or a mixture of concentrated coolant and distilled water. If the coolant rises on the cold fill line, you need to replace the cap and tighten it until you can hear and feel that click. After doing that, close the hood, and you are good to go.
When Can You Add Coolant Straight To The Radiator?
If you have an old vehicle, you can add coolant directly to your radiator. You need to have 50-50 mixes. Some people use that.
For all vehicles that have a reservoir, you should add the coolant in the reservoir. If it is empty, you can add it to the radiator directly.
If the radiator is complete, you must stop topping it off through the reservoir. If you need to add a little because it is still low, you can use their reservoir.
Can You Add Coolant Without Flushing?
The answer is no. You must not keep on adding coolant without flushing. This is not recommended.
It would help if you did some flushing, and you had to make some changes. Most of the vehicle needs to be flushed, and you need to complete the fluid change every five to seven years.
Summary
In summary, many car owners would always ask where they should put the coolant. Some people put it directly in their radiator or their reservoir.
This is why people are confused about where they should put it. You have to put it directly on the reservoir and not on the radiator.
Related:
- Coolant Boiling In The Car
- How Much Coolant Do I Need?
- Can You Mix Coolant Brands?
- Does Coolant Affect AC?
- Coolant Not Circulating
Resources
Image credits – Canva
