Hello all. My antifreeze isn't quite strong enough, and it's going to be extremely cold here (Ontario Canada) tonight....can someone help me with a procedure to drain out approximately a gallon of coolant so I can add a jug of antifreeze to lower the freezing point? Ideally I'd crack a drain valve or hose (near the front of the car would be ideal), and slowly top up the reservoir in the engine bay, then drive the car around for an hour to make sure it's mixed up well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Buy one of these :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/131113596943?lpid=82

No affiliation.


You can test out the antifreeze concentration in your coolant. You might find out it's fine and what you're planning on doing could be overkill.

If not,you're going to need a very good evacuation and refill kit so you do not introduce air in the system,like this one :


http://www.mityvac.com/hq_images/MV4525.jpg


No affiliation.

 

How did you determine that your antifreeze isn't strong enough? Did you use a hydrometer?

 

Ya I used one of the cheap plasic ones and it was near the bottom of the range, and when I tested the Focus and Yaris, they were both around -40 degrees so I know the tester is working.

 

You should flush and refill at this point with proper coolant that not only protects you in the cold temperatures but also has the proper anti corrosion inhibitors and protects all the aluminum and ferrous surfaces it contacts.