summer coolant

[steven-white]

hi, done check for my winter collant level, but how do you check if the coolant is ok for summer? i know you can get coolant for summer or winter in the same bottle, but how do you know/what can you check, so that you know the coolant will stop your engine overheating?

[davelowe]

There are probably such things as summer and winter coolants, but I haven't heard of them.

An additive must always be used in the engine coolant because it doesn't just protect against freezing - it contains other ingredients that are essential in preventing mixed-metal engine corrosion. Generally speaking it should be renewed every couple of years or so (someone else will flesh out this point). My car hadn't had a coolant change for 7 years until I changed it a month or so ago. The stuff that came out was still clear and free of debris. I flushed it out with tap water several times to be sure, and made up a mix of 50% additive and 50% distilled water to avoid calcium scaling. This gives all year protection to -36C or so and cost £20 from Halfords (Renault approved). As far as I'm aware, it won't cause any overheating problems in the summer (unless you are driving in 50C shaded weather for 1000 miles towing a heavy trailer). There are OEM products should you wish to use them, and the cost is probably comparable, but I didn't realise at the time.

The online manuals will correct any errors I have made. They are stickied in the ownership forum.

[steven-white]

i have registered with renault.co.uk and saw they did a collant/anti-freeze check for 29.00. should i let them check it? the anti-freeze i have set as just below maximum at about -27. should i take it to renault to be double-sure?

[davelowe]

They stick a test paper in that measures the glycol level (bit like a litmus test). They should do it free with the 25 point check (or whatever it's called). If you are certain it's good to minus 27C I should leave it alone! Don't pay £29 for it!

[AlexB]

Your car uses Renault Glaceol Type D coolant, the same in winter and summer, changed every 4 years. In UK climate the coolant is changed only to keep its anti-corrosion/lubrication properties and save the pump/thermostat. Freezing is unlikely, unless it is leaking and being frequently topped up with water. Mixing different coolants is not good and switching from one type to another is not recommended.

hi, done check for my winter collant level, but how do you check if the coolant is ok for summer? i know you can get coolant for summer or winter in the same bottle, but how do you know/what can you check, so that you know the coolant will stop your engine overheating?

[direstraits]

I know that there are two types, one for hot and one for cold climates (-25 and -40 centigrade respectively), any ideas what is the one for the cold climate called? Is it the same Glaceol Type D?