When did u need to refill ur Engine Coolant Reservoir?

**XtianLA** · 02-01-2003 09:50 AM

Well, I've got 2,342 miles on my rex now, I've had it since November. I noticed today that my Engine Coolant is below the L marking. Do you guys refill this urself, or go to the dealership? Reason I ask cuz the guys at my dealership are kinda aholes, so I would rather do this myself since it seems relatively simple. What type of coolant would anyone recommend, or have u guys used in there?

**XtianLA** · 02-01-2003 11:59 AM

anyone? gotta try to get this taken care of today, I don't want to be driving around on low coolant. thnx.

**JRod** · 02-01-2003 12:09 PM

Are you checking it when the engine is cold? When cold it should be at the low mark, when hot it should be at the high mark.

If you engine is cold add a little antifreeze/water mixture until it reaches the the low mark. If hot, do the same for the high mark. There are some premade antifreeze mixes but its a waste of money. Just buy some good antifreeze (prestone, zerex, etc...) and mix with about %50 water depending on your climate. Most antifreeze bottles have a mixing chart on the back.

**XtianLA** · 02-01-2003 12:47 PM

Yeah, engine is cold, downstairs in the garage, earlier today. o to check it hot should I just check it idle...or maybe go around the block then check it?

**JRod** · 02-01-2003 12:52 PM

Nope, you can check it hot or cold. You just have to use the L line for cold and the H line for hot. It may be better to check it cold I think.

The coolant expands slightly when hot so you have to read from the higher line on the reservoir.

**fengshui** · 02-01-2003 01:38 PM

I just ran into this problem myself. I have 13K miles on the WRX, and I noticed the coolant was below the L mark when the car was both hot AND cold, so I bought some prestone and consulted some folks. The concensus was that if you are just adding some coolant to top it off and bring it to mid L and F marks, then just add it. If you flush the coolant out then you should do the 50/50 mix to fill it back up. So after adding a tad bit, now i have an almost full bottle of prestone collecting dust, great.

chris