How to Check Coolant Level

While the easiest way to keep your Chevy or Buick running smoothly on the Mineral Wells roads is to bring it in for regular service, there are plenty of DIY services you can perform from home as well! One of these services is checking your coolant level regularly and topping it off as needed. Before we get into checking your Buick or Chevy coolant level, let’s answer a more fundamental question: what is coolant? In short, coolant is a fluid that regulates the temperature in your engine to keep it from freezing or overheating. It’s important to make sure that your coolant is at the proper level you may be opening up your engine to potential danger. The service team at Bayer Chevrolet has more details on how to check coolant levels in the guide below!

What to Look for 

Checking your coolant level is easy as long as you know what to look for. You don’t have to open the radiator cap to check the level–all you have to do is check the markings on the side of the reservoir! If you see that the liquid is at the “full” marking line, you’re good to go. If it’s lower than the “full” line, remove the radiator cap and add more coolant, or a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. Make sure that the engine is completely cooled before opening the radiator cap. You can also take this opportunity to inspect the hoses connected to the radiator, to make sure there aren’t any leaks or other issues.

When to See a Service Technician 

The ideal consistency for coolant is a bit thinner than oil but thicker than water. If you’re checking your coolant level, and you see that the coolant is overly thick and sludgy, you’ll want to make an appointment with the Bayer Chevrolet service team. This could indicate an internal gasket leak, which can cause your engine to dangerously overheat, so you should get it taken care of as soon as possible before you run into trouble on the Eastland roads. 

When to Change Coolant

You’ll want to check your Buick or Chevy coolant levels every three to six months, and be sure to take note of the color. Healthy coolant is blue, green, yellow, or red, so if you see something else, flush the system and replace the fluid.

Keep Your Car In Top Condition with Bayer Chevrolet!

If you have any questions about checking your coolant level, feel free to contact our office! You can also contact us or stop by our dealership near Graham to learn more about the services we offer at Bayer Chevrolet. Be sure to check our service specials if you’re interested in saving on your next appointment!