How to Add Antifreeze to a Jeep
Adding coolant to a Jeep is part of an important maintenance procedure for the vehicle. While changing the coolant every couple of years is even more important, adding to the radiator or overflow reservoir is essential to ensure enough coolant is present in the cooling system. After time, the ethyl glycol-based coolant with corrosion inhibitors (called HOAT, for Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) can break down and lose its chemical properties.
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Things You'll Need
- Funnel
- 50/50 ethyl glycol/distilled water antifreeze mix
- Coolant drain pan
- Water hose
Instructions
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1
Open the hood to the Jeep and then slowly open the radiator cap. To release the cap, push down on it and then turn it counterclockwise when the engine is cold.
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2
Remove the cap to the overflow coolant reservoir.
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3
Place a funnel into the radiator neck and add 50/50 mix of coolant. Jeep recommends ethyl glycol-based coolant with corrosion inhibitors. Be sure not to add straight coolant. Break it down with distilled water or purchase pre-mixed coolant.
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4
Pour the coolant slowly into the funnel and allow it settle in the radiator. Add more as necessary until the coolant is just below the overflow tube of the radiator neck.
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5
Remove the funnel and place it in the opening of the overflow reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the full "cold" line stamped on the outside of the reservoir.
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6
Place the coolant drain pan under the Jeep beneath the radiator neck.
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7
Start the engine to the Jeep and allow it run until it reaches operating temperature. Do this with the radiator cap off to bleed any air pockets that may have entered the radiator during the filling process. This step is not necessary for the radiator if it did not require less than 1/4 gallon of antifreeze mixture.
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8
Allow the air bubbles to purge from the coolant tank (if required). Coolant will purge from the neck of the radiator. Keep an eye on the alignment of the coolant drain pan. Any coolant that spills from the radiator onto the ground should be rinsed away with a water hose.
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9
Add coolant to the radiator as necessary during the air bleeding procedure.
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Replace the cap to the radiator on the Jeep and then drive it for 15 to 20 minutes. Allow the engine to cool down (approximately two hours) and then reopen the radiator cap. Add more antifreeze to the radiator and reservoir if necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Never attempt to open the radiator cap while the engine is still hot, as you can severely burn yourself.
