Coolant low
 

Hey guys, need some advice. I have a 2013 fr-s, running a little above 27k miles, 3k away from the pricey 30k mile check in at the dealership. My coolant is currently at the low mark, and I often hear and smell the engine cooling down after a 15 minute drive.
I'm not sure if they flush or top up the coolant during the 30k check-in, or if this is normal procedure during toyota/scion oil changes. In addition to asking for advice in this situation, I have a couple of questions:
1. When should I get a coolant flush? Is this included in oil changes or major mile check-ins (30k mile)?
2. Is it okay to add distilled water or a normal coolant to the car?

I use this car as my daily, the car has never been used for racing.

Accoding to the book in your glovebox the coolant is a 100k mile service interval iirc.
Yes, add distilled water.

It's a tank of water, after 3 years some of it evaporated, not rocket science, top off and it will be fine for another 2+ years.

Edit: And don't fill it to max when cold, the level will fluctuate with temperature, if you put it at max when cold you will over flow when the car is up to temperature, you probably want the level between 50% and low when the car is cold, pop the hood after a drive and see where the coolant is at.

Yep, to add a bit to the above post, if your coolant is a bit low be sure that you add ONLY distilled (or demineralized) water.

If you are compelled to add more anti-freeze (usually not necessary for topping off) be sure to use ONLY the blue Subaru stuff ...... ;)


humfrz

Please read the Owner's Manual and Warranty Booklet for information on coolant.

-alex

Know issue. No known cause. Buy some coolant and keep topping it off.

Check the Issue/Waranty forum for similar threads

^ .............:laughabove: ....... I'm sorry, I just thought that was funny ........ :bellyroll:


humfrz

I should have mentioned I'm a newbie. Thanks for the response and detail for when to top it up. I didn't know it was a known issue, I'm going to top up halfway with distilled water after a drive today.

It isn't really an "issue" at all. It is just the way the system works. That is why there is an overfill reservoir with high and low levels marked on it.

And that's OK...........:thumbsup:

Don't be hesitant about asking questions, if there is something you don't understand ........... AFTER you read the owners manual....... ;)

We all learned about cars ....... one way or the other.

For example, ask the old timers, when an older car overheated and they had to take the radiator cap off to add water ......... how many times should they have layered an old t-shirt over the radiator cap, before they unscrewed it ....... ??

If they say they "got it right" the first time they did it ...... and DIDN'T get steam hurt ........ there is a good chance they are lying ....... so, pay them no never mind about what they say in the future .......:D


humfrz

Ahhh the good old "it must cooled down enough by now so I can just crack this a bit and.... SONOFABITCHSHITDAMNITALLTOHELL"

Totaled.

Again: read the manual.

You should fill up to between the "Low" and "Full" levels when your engine is cold, not warm and not after a drive.

-alex

I added it after a 15-20 minute drive, since it was recommended here. I didn't see the edit until today. :sigh::hitcomputer: I didn't add much though.
Yeah, next time I will read the manual before a post, haha.