How to Drain the Coolant Out of a 2003 Kia Optima

Drain the coolant from your Optima's radiator any time you need to change the fluid.

You should change the engine coolant in your 2003 Kia Optima every two years or 30,000 miles for optimal performance. The Optima uses an ethylene-glycol antifreeze in the radiator system. Drain the radiator completely before adding new coolant to avoid mixing the new coolant with used or ineffective fluids. Drain the coolant when the engine is cool to avoid the risk of injury from pressure in the system.

Things You'll Need

• Drain pan
• Adjustable wrench (optional)

Instructions

1. Open the hood of your Kia Optima. After you make sure that the engine is cool, remove the radiator fill cap and set it aside.

2. Locate the radiator drain beneath the radiator on the driver side of the car. Position an empty drain pan beneath the drain to catch the coolant as it drains.

3. Loosen the radiator drain valve by twisting the two metal arms counterclockwise with your fingers. If the valve is too tight, you can use an adjustable wrench to break it free before removing it by hand.

4. Allow the radiator to drain completely. Replace the drain valve and tighten it securely to prevent leaks when you refill the radiator.

References

• "2003 Kia Optima Owners Manual"; Kia Motors; 2003