Originally Posted by Tcoat (Post 3421432)

This ^
Once upon a time in the days of yore cars did not have expansion tanks. When the coolant expanded too much it came out the tube and pissed out all over the road. This of course meant that eventually the level would drop in the rad and have to be topped up with the proper MIX of water and "antifreeze".
Then one day some tree hugging hippes complained that cars should probably not be pour toxic chemical out all over the roads and the companies added the expansion tanks to hold that mix.
Unfortunately the tanks could not be air tight or else the pressure to release the expanded coolant would have to be incredible so they added venting to them. When the expansion tank fills up the coolant is HOT and the water evaporates off leaving behind the "antifreeze".
Strangely enough when the expansion tank is empty it does not mean the coolant is actually low. Unless you have had a leak (you will know it) what it really means is that the rad has just leveled itself off to the perfect amount inside when it is hot. The 6 ounces or so less when it is cold means nothing as far as cooling goes.
So the moral of the story is... If you have not had a physical leak but your expansion tank RESERVE is low, just add distilled water not "antifreeze". Your coolant concentration has not changed and all you need to do is replace those few ounces of evaporated water.
Now, if you have had a leak that is a whole different ball game.

Originally Posted by Tcoat (Post 3421432)

.........
Then one day some tree hugging hippes complained that cars should probably not be pour toxic chemical out all over the roads and the companies added the expansion tanks to hold that mix..............

Originally Posted by Kittykate (Post 3420987)

Yeah I got mine with pretty low coolant too.
Makes me really want to change my oil shortly; I just can't decide if I want to do it myself (which requires the investment of a jack, stands, etc) or just take it someplace which is easier and cheaper in the short term (the latter being the real issue).

Originally Posted by ghostzfh (Post 3424215)

From my experience, employees at dealerships don't really care that much. I went in one time for an oil change and tire rotation. One guy "manually" took off my Mcgard locks and left teeth bites all over them likely from using pipe pliers without asking me if I had the wheel key. Then after all was said and done, I checked my engine oil, there was only one drop of oil on the dipstick. (eyeroll)

Would like to hear other people's routine maintenance horror stories.

Originally Posted by coastwardpig (Post 3424548)

I agree 100%. It's a shame that we need to verify that the work we payed to have performed on our vehicles was actually completed. For car enthusiast such as the members of this community it's not as much of an issue because we'll often double-check the work, but what about the other 90% non-enthusiasts? I'm getting tired of having to fight to hold companies to the standards they promote.

Originally Posted by coastwardpig (Post 3424548)

I agree 100%. It's a shame that we need to verify that the work we payed to have performed on our vehicles was actually completed. For car enthusiast such as the members of this community it's not as much of an issue because we'll often double-check the work, but what about the other 90% non-enthusiasts? I'm getting tired of having to fight to hold companies to the standards they promote.

Originally Posted by why? (Post 3424269)

Do it yourself if you have the space. It is so much nicer to be able to do what you need to do without dealing with people that you have never met and you do not know. The money you save over the long run will absolutely be more than the price of good tools for the job.

Originally Posted by Kittykate (Post 3424789)

There's some kind of oil pan drain or something I think I saw mentioned a couple times when I was researching prior to purchasing the car. I can't recall what it was but it was highly praised for making it an easier job. You happen to know what it is?

Originally Posted by why? (Post 3424829)

Fumoto quick drain oil valve. Only problem is it can sit lower than the rest of the vehicle and can catch on the road or debris if you car is lowered.