The summer is warming up but that doesn’t mean your car’s engine should be! Engine coolant is important to your engine’s function, it keeps it cool and protects it from overheating, and it protects your wallet from costly damages! It’s super important as a driver to know how to check the coolant level and what to do if it isn’t where it’s supposed to be!

When checking the coolant level in your vehicle, it must be cool! Coolant expands when hot so it will rise, giving you a false reading. So don’t check it right after getting home or really hot days!

Check your coolant level is actually very easy and can be done in just two quick steps…that means even I can do it so you definitely can!

Steps:

1. Open the hood of the car: First pop the hood lifting the latch inside your car, then when the hood pops it won’t crack the whole way. Slip your hand in between the crack and move the safety lever which unlocks the hood allowing you to lift it all the way.
   1. Locate the engine coolant reservoir. This will be to the far side of the vehicle, left or right, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. The lid to the reservoir will often have “Engine Coolant Only” printed on it.

*Look out for the line on the side of the engine coolant reservoir and a heading of “COLD” or “FULL”. There may also be a “WARM” level indicator. The “COLD” indicator is the one you want to use.*

1. Add engine coolant to the reservoir if the liquid is below the “COLD” indicator line. Observe to see that the engine coolant reservoir is holding the added liquid.

If it falls below the “COLD” indicator before your next check, there may be a leak. Any leak needs to be checked out and repaired as soon as possible!