Checking and changing the engine coolant

WARNING:
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. When the engine is hot, the engine coolant is under pressure and may erupt through the opening if the cap is removed. You could be seriously burned if you do not observe this precaution. Do not remove the radiator cap until the radiator is cool to the touch.

Recommended Engine Coolant

Use a high quality ethylene-glycol coolant in a 50/50 mix with water. The engine coolant should be compatible with aluminum engine parts.

Additional corrosion inhibitors or additives should not be used. The cooling system must be maintained with the correct concentration and type of engine coolant to prevent freezing and corrosion. Never allow the concentration of antifreeze to exceed the 60% level or go below the 35% level, or damage to the cooling system may result. For proper concentration when adding or replacing the engine coolant, refer to the following table.


To Check the Coolant Level
To Check the Coolant Level

The coolant level can be seen on the side of the plastic coolant reservoir. The level of the coolant should be between the "L" and "F" lines on the reservoir when the engine is cool. If the level is below the "L" mark, add engine coolant to bring it up between "L" and "F". If the level is low, inspect for coolant leaks and recheck the fluid level frequently. If the level drops again, visit your Hyundai dealer for an inspection and diagnosis of the reason.

To Change the Engine Coolant

The engine coolant should be changed at those intervals specified in the vehicle maintenance schedule in Section 5.

CAUTION:
Engine coolant can damage the finish of your car. If you spill engine coolant on the car, wash it off thoroughly with clean water.

1. Park the car on level ground, set the parking brake and remove the radiator cap when cool.

2. Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise without


2. Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise without pressing down on it, until it stops. This relieves any pressure remaining in the cooling system. And remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning counterclockwise.

3. Be sure your drain receptacle is in place.

Open the drain cock on the radiator. Allow all the engine coolant to drain from the cooling system, then securely close the drain cock.

4. Check Section 9 for the capacity of the cooling system in your car. Then, following the manufacturer's directions on the engine coolant container, add the appropriate quantity of coolant to the radiator.

5. Fill the radiator with clean demineralized or distilled water. Continue to add clean demineralized or distilled water in small quantities until the fluid level stays up in the radiator neck.

6. Start the engine, top off the radiator with


6. Start the engine, top off the radiator with water and then add coolant to the reservoir until the level is between "L" and "F".

7. Replace the radiator and reservoir caps and check to be sure the drain cocks are fully closed and not leaking.

WARNING:
The cooling fan is controlled by engine coolant temperature and may sometimes operate even when the engine is not running.

Use extreme caution when working near the blades of the coolant fan so that you are not injured by a rotating fan blade.

As the engine coolant temperature decreases, the fan will automatically shut off.

This is a normal condition.

    See also:

    Checking the Transaxle Oil (Manual)
    Transaxle lubricant in the manual transaxle should be checked at those intervals specified in the vehicle maintenance schedule in Section 5. WARNING: It is always better to check the transaxle oil ...

    Summer tires
    Hyundai specifies summer tires on some models to provide superior performance on dry roads. Summer tire performance is substantrally reduced in snow and ice. Summer tires do not have the tire trac ...

    Do not operate the engine within the tachometer's RED ZONE. This may cause severe engine damage.
    Engine temperature gauge This gauge shows the temperature of the engine coolant when the ignition switch is ON. Do not continue driving with an overheated engine. If your vehicle overheats, re ...