Coolant Repair Procedures

Coolant Replacement and Air Bleeding

Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious scalding may be caused by hot coolant under high pressure spraying out of the radiator.

When filling the engine coolant, be sure to cover the relay block and do not let coolant get on electrical parts or paint. If coolant is spilled, wash it off immediately.

1. 1
   Make sure the engine and radiator are cold to the touch.
2. 2
   Remove the radiator cap (A).

   

3. 3
   Loosen the drain plug (A) and drain the coolant, leaving the radiator cap open for smooth draining.

   Tightening torque: 0.78 ~ 1.6 N·m

   

4. 4
   Tighten the radiator drain plug securely.
5. 5
   Remove, drain and reinstall the reservoir. (Refer to Cooling System - "Reservoir") Fill the reservoir halfway to the F mark with water, then fill to the F mark with antifreeze.
6. 6
   Fill the radiator with water through the radiator cap and tighten the cap.

   To bleed air most effectively, slowly pour in water and squeeze the upper/lower radiator hoses.

7. 7
   Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature. Wait until the cooling fans have switched on several times. Raise the engine speed to help purge trapped air. Stop the engine.
8. 8
   Wait until the engine has cooled down.
9. 9
   Repeat steps 1 through 8 until the drained water is clean.
10. 10
    Slowly fill the coolant and water mixture (45~60%) (except North America, Europe and China: 45~50%) through the radiator cap. Squeeze the upper/lower radiator hoses to easily release air.

    Use only genuine antifreeze/coolant. For best corrosion protection, maintain the coolant concentration at no less than 45–50% year-round. A coolant concentration below 45–60% may not provide sufficient corrosion or freeze protection. A coolant concentration above 60% reduces cooling efficiency and is not recommended.

    Do not mix antifreezes/coolants of different brands. Do not use additional rust inhibitors or anti-corrosion products; they may be incompatible with the coolant.

11. 11
    Start the engine and allow the coolant to circulate. When the cooling fan is running and the coolant is circulating, add coolant through the radiator cap.
12. 12
    Repeat step 11 until the cooling fan has cycled three to five times to adequately purge air from the cooling system.
13. 13
    Install the radiator cap and fill the coolant reservoir to the "MAX" (or "F") mark.
14. 14
    Let the vehicle idle until the cooling fan has cycled two to three times.
15. 15
    Stop the engine and wait for the coolant to cool down.
16. 16
    Repeat steps 10 through 15 until the coolant level no longer drops, then bleed air from the cooling system.

    Air bleeding and filling are optimized when the coolant has fully cooled. Recheck the coolant level in the reservoir within 2–3 days after coolant replacement.

    Coolant capacity: for Europe: 8.8 L (9.30 US qt, 7.74 Imp. qt, 2.32 US gal) except Europe: 8.4 L (8.87 US qt, 7.38 Imp. qt, 2.21 US gal)