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Step 1
Locate the button or latch that opens the hood of your vehicle. This is usually a lever that is located to the left of your brake pedal on the driver side of the vehicle. Pull the lever.
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Step 2
Go to the front of the vehicle and open the hood.
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Step 3
Be careful once the hood is open and make sure that you use something sturdy to prop open the hood. You would be in even more trouble if the hood came crashing down on your head!
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Step 4
If the vehicle is smoking, give it 30 minutes to cool down. Antifreeze is extremely hot. Locate the radiator and follow the hoses that are connected to it with your eyes. Half of all radiator leaks that I have encountered are due to rotting hoses. The second thing that you should do is look under the car and take notice of any leaks and where they are coming from.
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Step 5
Check the fittings where the hoses connect to the radiator. This is another very common problem. Something as cheap and easy to fix as a hose clamp can ruin your engine. Don't be a statistic! If you are unsure of where the leak is coming from, get a dirty rag and press firmly on the radiator cap. Continue to press firmly down as you twist the cap. All radiators build massive amounts of pressure, so be careful and don't release the pressure that you are applying until it is all the way unscrewed. Once it is off, pour a gallon of water in and watch carefully for where the leak could be coming from.
