Warning! Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body or painted surfaces of the vehicle. If any splashes do come into contact, wash them off immediately with plenty of water. Remember that antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid and its ingestion, even in small quantities, can have the most serious consequences (even to the point of death). Never leave antifreeze stored in a loosely closed container and immediately collect any coolant spilled on the floor. Remember that the sweet smell of antifreeze can attract the attention of children and animals. Consult any car service station about methods of disposal of used coolant. In many regions of the world, special points for the collection of various types of waste are set up. Never pour old coolant into the sewer or onto the ground!
Note: Non-toxic types of antifreeze have been developed recently, but they must also be disposed of in an organized manner.
To fill the cooling system, a mixture of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze with soft water is usually used in the proper proportions. The mixture must be resistant to freezing at temperatures down to -30°C, and if necessary, even lower, depending on the climate zone of the region where the vehicle is operated. In addition to frost resistance, antifreeze gives the mixture anti-corrosion properties and increases its boiling point.
Draining and flushing the cooling system should be carried out in accordance with the vehicle's routine maintenance schedule (see Chapter Routine maintenance). Using the coolant for a longer period of time is fraught with various types of damage to the system, the development of corrosion and the formation of scale. If the tap water in the region where the car is used is "hard", i.e. has an increased content of mineral salts, distilled or rainwater should be used to form the coolant.
Before adding coolant to the system, check the reliability of its hoses on their fittings - antifreeze has a high fluidity and can leak through the slightest leaks. During normal operation of the engine, the coolant is not consumed, so a drop in its level is a sign of the development of external leaks, the cause of which must be immediately identified and eliminated.
The exact composition of the coolant is determined by specific climatic conditions. The antifreeze content in the mixture should not be lower than 50% and should not exceed 70% - refer to the coolant composition chart (see Chapter Routine maintenance). Hydrometers for determining the specific gravity (density) of coolant can be purchased at almost any auto accessory store. Try to use only the antifreeze grades recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (see Specifications).