Hey guys

I have a few basic questions that a new driver would normally Google lol..

1. How do I check my radiator level because in this weather I don't wanna overheat.

2. Anti freeze that's already in the car shall I drain it then add new stuff in or is it to do it without draining?

3. Oil what sort of oil do I go for.. shall I go for something like castrol?

My engine feels revvy hence these questions and when I'm stationary it feels slight rev.. maybe it's just me but yeah just maintaining her best I can!

Oil is 10w 40 semi synth. Make doesn't matter..qx oil from Euros or asda oil is good enough..

There is a Max and min marker for the coolant..

If you change the coolant prepare your self for the nightmare of bleeding the system afterwards..its not fun.

samperry209 said:

Hey guys

I have a few basic questions that a new driver would normally Google lol..

1. How do I check my radiator level because in this weather I don't wanna overheat.

2. Anti freeze that's already in the car shall I drain it then add new stuff in or is it to do it without draining?

3. Oil what sort of oil do I go for.. shall I go for something like castrol?

My engine feels revvy hence these questions and when I'm stationary it feels slight rev.. maybe it's just me but yeah just maintaining her best I can!

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oldhammer said:

Oil is 10w 40 semi synth. Make doesn't matter..qx oil from Euros or asda oil is good enough..

There is a Max and min marker for the coolant..

If you change the coolant prepare your self for the nightmare of bleeding the system afterwards..its not fun.

Click to expand...

I got one of these to test my car when i got it

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=200991067981&alt=web

Found out there was no need to change coolant. Worth buying one

Check fluid when cold - and cold only (ie sat over night)
Dont do it when its hot - you'll only end up in A+E with half your face and arms burnt badly

I tend to use a small torch and shine it through the bottle - as the opaque plastic makes it hard to tell sometimes

Locate min and max marks to tell level

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Your coolant strength, you cant really test without an anti-freeze tester
You can buy them cheap (Under 10er)
But you want between -20 to -30 protection indicating a good mix

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oil for the 1.2 8v is Semi Synthetic 10w - 40


Ziggy

are these antifreeze testers actually accurate?

I check mine with one & always been fine but I always change coolant every 5yrs 50% O.A.T 50% distilled water topping up if required with the same mix.

i found out 50%- 50% mix is unnecessary as it never reaches -40°C, even if it does by some miracle, temperature inside engine block is gonna be higher than outside

60%-40% = -30°C

flisko said:

are these antifreeze testers actually accurate?

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the floating disc ones are more of a guide rather that accurate

If you had 1 disc = -6 protection, you know you need to up the protection a little bit

If you say had 4 disc's which is say -25 protection, you might leave it since the UK aint that cold in winter

Ziggy

i got another car and antifreeze wasnt changed since it was bought like 5 years ago, i wonder how much this tester will show

Cheers guys for your replies I will invest in the anti freeze thingy. Only thing that's worrying me is the funny chuddering when I'm at a junction or lights my rev needle goes just above 1 then jumps under 1 it's weird ill check the radiator tomorrow

Okay just checked under my bonnet and I'm well under min marker for anti freeze and oil is black as anything..

samperry209 said:

Okay just checked under my bonnet and I'm well under min marker for anti freeze and oil is black as anything..

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Also while your there check your brake fluid

That should be fine as I had the brakes done 4 weeks ago