How often should I top up my coolant?

[mountainmummy]

Hi

When we bought our Freda we noticed the coolant level was well above the full mark. Now four months later it's still above the full mark but has come down a little.

Is this normal and will we just need to top it up from time to time or should the level never change unless there is a little leak?

Sara

[daveblueozzie]

The coolant should be just up to the full mark, ideally it should not lose coolant, but quite a few of us do top up from time to time.

[Muzorewa]

Also it depends when you check, it'll be lower when cold and higher with a hot engine. Ideally fill to 'high' when cold and it'll be above the mark once warmed up, then drop back to the line when it cools.

[rhino-wayne]

Probably a good habit is to check the coolant level on a daily basis (i.e. before 1st drive of the day)

[Muzorewa]

A low-coolant alarm enables you to have peace of mind that the level hasn't dropped too low - ours loses a bit of coolant but then we do a lot of miles. Every two or three months we'll get a chirp telling us to top it up

[MountainGoat]

I always check mine amongst other things before leaving for a big trip. That said the coolant on my Bongo has never ever needed toped up. It is all down to maintenance and everything running just as should. That said I do have a low coolant alarm fitted and a high coolant alarm waiting to go on.

I do carry around a small bottle of made up antifreeze just in case I ever do need a top up, I guess that is why I never need one. Just waiting for the day when I forget to take the top up bottle with me.

Tony