How to add antifreeze

when the car is cold, take off the radiator cap. Start the car and let it run for a while. While the car is running, watch the radiator opening for the antifreeze to start circulating. add antifreeze as the level dips down, when the antifreeze starts to spill out, (A Lot) put the Radiator cap back on, as the antifreeze was circulating, it was pushing the air out of the line,through the cap opening and when the antifreeze starts spilling out, it means the air is completely out of the line.

Sounds like a restricted heater core. Remove the hoses and back-flush the heater core system with a water hose. You may want to do a complete cooling system flush while you're at it.

If you can't flush the heater core clean with a water hose, it may be time to replace.

Hello there and welcome to fixya
Checking your radiator fluid:
Every modern vehicle has a Radiator fluid overflow compartment that is translucent so you can see where the coolant level is without removing the cap. On the side of the compartment there is a full line and an add line. the coolant should be between the two lines. If it's below the add level add 50% water/coolant to the full level.
The green line is the full line, the red line is the add line in the picture.
If you don't have antifreeze but you need fluid, add distilled water,not ordinary tap water, so mineral deposits won't build in the radiator and cause corrosion or blockage. However, you should keep the correct ratio of water and coolant to prevent corrosion and for the highest level of overheat or freeze protection.
To check the fluid IN your radiator
you will need to remove the radiator cap. DO NOT remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot. The contents are under pressure and many people have gotten severe burns by removing the radiator cap when it is too hot.
Notice the word "caution" on the cap in the picture.
It goes on to say the contents are under pressure.
IF you have no choice, but to remove the cap when hot, use a towel and remove it slowly to release pressure before you get the cap off.
The fluid in the radiator should be at the top of the radiator.

Make sure you keep 50% water/coolant mixture in the radiator. Some people put more antifreeze in during the winter, but never put more than 70% coolant. It will reduce it's ability to carry heat away from the engine and prevent corrosion.

what kind of antifreeze?...radiator fluid?...if Rad fluid..look for your overflow tank, and add it there. The cap may be yellow, and may have "rad fluid only" printed on it.


gas line antifreeze goes directly into the fuel filler
windshield washer winter(antifreeze) goes into the wishy washy reservoir

The radiator is usually the black tank in front of the fan. It has a silver cap (DO NOT REMOVE WHEN HOT!!!) that you can take off when the car is cold to check if there's fluid in it. The reserve coolant tank is usually a white plastic and has a hose in to that connects to the radiator. It is used to catch the extra fluid that comes out of the radiator when it warms up becasue coolant expands when it's heated. The reservior should have two marks on the side of it. One for "max fill" and one for "add". Add coolant to it if it is below the "add" line. If it's extreamly low, you'll have to add coolant a coulpe times to level it off once air gets out of the system. Your best bet is to remove the radiator cap, top it off with the right antifreeze (you can get this pre mixed) and replace the cap. Then fill the reservoir with the right antifreeze to the max fill line and drive the car until it gets warm. About 10 minutes. Then top off as necessary. I do NOT recommend using plain water to do this. If you use water it can freeze and do extensive damage to your engine. Go to your local auto parts store and ask them for the correct antifreeze. Ask them how to mix it or purchase the pre mixed kind.

Not sure if you have an open or closed system but if you have no cap on the radiator the coolant is added to the container marked "coolant" that has a screw top on it. If you have a cap on the radiator, add coolant there, then add to plastic recovery bottle to the full line. Always add to a cooled down engine to avoid getting a bath of hot antifreeze. When hot it's under pressure and should never be opened. Once the cap has been removed it's best to fill with the engine running and heater on high heat to avoid having air trapped anywhere in the system.(OK to do that as it won't build pressure 'till the system is again closed) If you need to add coolant frequently, you have a leak...find it before it gets worse!!

when you top up the radiator you should only use antifreeze as it keeps the mixture right,use a universal type antifreeze,so you dont have any mix problems.

Yes you can add water to the max line when the engine is hot or to the other line when it's cold. It's not unusual to loose coolant over time. You can usually find another brand that qualifies for the manufacturers brand. You can get an auto supply store to help select it. Some manufacturers don't recommend an antifreeze with silca as it can damage the water pump.

Most vehicle Mfg.'s do not want you to access the radiator, so they put in overflow tanks.
You can add coolant there. You will find it under the hood next to the interior fender.
Only check or add coolant when the engine is cool.
I would start looking for a coolant leak. Vehicles are not supposed to leak or lose their coolant.
Check for green coolant spots on the ground where you park your vehicle.
Please let me know what you find.

The antifreeze should be added into the overflow reservior the large plastic tank, add the coolant up to the full line, there is two plastic tank the other is for the washer fluid, make sure you add it to the correct tank.