Topping up anti-freeze

messinkiapina

The coolant in my skoda fabia is looking a little bit low. Is there a particular type of anti-freeze I have to use to top it up, or will any one do? I can't see the colour of the anti-freeze that's already in there since the expansion tank is pretty dirty.

Lenny

shine a torch in it, there colours that I know of are pink, yellow, green
being part of tha VAG group its prob pink I'd say
if its concentrate the mix is that plus water

messinkiapina

Had a look there but it's impossible to see the colour, it just looks like the colour of mud because the expansion tank is so dirty. It does say G12 on the outside of the tank, so I presume that's what the mechanic would have topped it up with last time?

Can I just buy some in tescos or would it be advisable to buy a brand name or from a dealer?

Lenny

G12 is pink. Coolant from anywhere should do yer job. Get concentrate. No difference between brand names really if it's just a top up. You'll prob only need about 300-400ml of concentrate and the same in water.

Lenny

G12 is pink. Coolant from anywhere should do yer job. Get concentrate. No difference between brand names really if it's just a top up. You'll prob only need about 300-400ml of concentrate and the same in water.

messinkiapina

Thanks for that info. Sounds relatively straight forward Any recommendations on where to buy antifreeze at a decent price?

Lenny

messinkiapina wrote: »

Thanks for that info. Sounds relatively straight forward Any recommendations on where to buy antifreeze at a decent price?

shouldn't be too dear, bardahl(this could be premixed though, try get concentrate) should be good enough stuff, motor factors should have that stuff, be about 6-8euro a litre

keithsfleet

If the coolant level has gotten to low you could have air in the system.
Fill up the expansion tank and start the car leaving the cap off the expansion tank. Let it run for a few minutes and add if necessary.

mickdw

If it's colour of rust / mud, I would recommend that you would get the coolant changed completely instead of just topping it up.