Car coolant change

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literally just drain and replace.

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Yep, easy. Nothing to it.

Mostly a straight forward procedure but Murphy is always there to give it to you raw. Some vehicles need a vacuum pulled on the system to prevent air blockages, though that's probably only needed if you somehow completely drained the system. If you only empty the coolant reservoir and radiator and replace that amount you'll probably do enough good and avoid potential issues.

Thanks successfully completed and drove around. Seems to be good, air purged and I checked a few hours later - reservoir and radiator still full. Squeezed the hoses to get the bubbles out.

How long has it been since changed? Might be just an upsell from a mechanic/dealership.

Car is well past the recommended mileage and I’d like to preserve the components that are in contact with it. I read online that the by products created over time can be mildly corrosive or can block small passages within the loop.

Edit: im trying to preserve this car as long as possible as it is my commuter. Have some other maintenance I’d like to do on it as well that I don’t have much experience with.

When I was a kid, we changed the coolant every year.

Now the owners manual for my car says the extra long life coolant that comes in it is good for 10 years/100,000 miles. When you replace it, that’s good for another 5 years/50K miles.

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Car is well past the recommended mileage and I’d like to preserve the components that are in contact with it. I read online that the by products created over time can be mildly corrosive or can block small passages within the loop.

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Yes, the buffering capacity (alkalinity) of engine coolant is depleted over time lowering the coolant pH and making it more corrosive.

Two good articles on engine coolant written by the owner of a local automotive repair shop, AgCo Automotive, in BR.

Anti-Freeze & Cooling Tips

Replacing Engine Coolant

Another thing owners don’t consider, being radiators are made of aluminum & plastic, it’s wise to replace them as a maintenance item every 10-12 years…..yes, I keep vehicles a long-time (2005 & 2010 Toyotas) as well…....lol.

Same with all other fluids really. Especially ATF and gear oils, every 30k in my vehicles.

Read the thread bone head

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Interesting. How much do new radiators go for? Are you buying OEM from the dealership or aftermarket? When I drained mine the internals looked ok at the top under the cap. Can’t see the bottom of course.

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Of course, it depends on the vehicle but an OEM radiator for my Toyotas (Tundra & Highlander) was not much more than $150. With rare exception I always go OEM parts critical to operation of the vehicle.

Without pulling my receipts, as I recall replacing the radiator, parts & labor, was $300-350 - independent shop of course, not the dealership. DYI project for most that can turn a wrench but I’m at an age where I don’t care to do that type of project anymore…..lol.

Now, radiators generally don’t catastrophically fail, so if it’s an around town-commuter vehicle one could roll the dice and wait until leakage and then replace, but if the vehicle is routinely taken on long road trips (mine are) then I find it best to be proactive and replace after a decade or so - don’t like the idea of being inconvenienced hours from home for an easily preventable issue.