Topping up the car’s coolant – here’s how

If your car is losing coolant or the level is simply too low, you can top up the fluid yourself. We’ll show you how to do it

Car: Refilling the coolant

Coolant is available online as well as at many petrol stations and garages. You also need clear water. Distilled water is ideal, but not absolutely necessary.

• If you open the hood, you will usually find the coolant reservoir on the left-hand side. This is roughly the size of a handball

• You will usually find an inscription such as “G12” on the container. Your coolant should have the same marking. Important: Only fill the container between the “Min” and “Max” areas

• Screw off the lid and top up with approximately equal amounts of coolant and water. Caution: Only open the reservoir when the engine is cold. Dangerous pressure builds up in the reservoir when the engine is warm