Add Coolant to a Ford Freestar

Maintaining an adequate amount of coolant in any vehicle is important. The Ford Freestar, which was in production from 2002-2007, is no different. Keeping up with coolant maintenance is a way to keep your family safe from being stranded with an overheated car. This article will tell you how to add coolant to a Ford Freestar.

Steps

  1. Watch your Freestar's dash panel for the coolant temperature gauge. If this gauge is very close to, or enters, the red section, your car is in danger of overheating or is already too hot.
    • You may also have a warning light go on. This light looks like a thermometer with two squiggle lines. This light warns that your coolant is too hot.
  2. Turn off the car and let the engine cool. This can take an hour or two, depending on how hot the engine is.
  3. Open the car hood and locate your Freestar coolant reservoir. It should be a white or translucent container. If the car is not equipped with an overflow container, remove the lid from the radiator.
  4. Unscrew the cap with a thick towel. Remember to turn the cap counterclockwise slowly to release any pressure and take it off.
  5. Mix 1 gallon (3.79 liters) of water and coolant. The mixture should be 50 percent water and 50 percent antifreeze.
  6. Pour the mixture into the reservoir until the fluid level has hit the cold fill line. If you had to pour directly into the radiator, fill it until the coolant is visible to you.
  7. Put the cap back on and screw it tightly to prevent leaks. Store any left over antifreeze in its container.
  8. Check the antifreeze concentration with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester. You may have to add more water or coolant to reach the 50 percent mix needed.

Tips

  • If you live in a very cold place where the temperatures reach below 34� F (1.11� C) you might need to have a higher coolant ratio. You may need 55 percent to 60 percent antifreeze to water.

Warnings

  • Do not unscrew the cap of the coolant reservoir or radiator while the vehicle is hot. You can be sprayed with extremely hot antifreeze.
  • If you are adding more than 1 quart (1 liter) of antifreeze every month, you might have a leak. Take the car to a mechanic to have it checked out.
  • Your antifreeze concentration levels need to stay between 40 percent and 60 percent at all times. Coolant concentrations below 40 percent or above 60 percent can damage the cooling system components.

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