[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by Allez

I know that's the case in theory. Is it true in practice as well? No one should need to add any coolant ever?

My 2016 has approximately 15,000 miles, and the lower reservoir is empty so I'll be going through the refill process. Should I be looking for a leak also? I certainly haven't noticed any leak on the garage floor.

Same, mine was low also.

[mrgoodbytes]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Same, mine was low also.

Mine too. I live in a colder climate (Scandinavia). Although I don’t drive the car in the winter due to road salt. I speculate that this may have something to do with the outside temperature. In 2019 when I drove my car to Switzerland, Austria and northern Italy i noticed a dip in the overflow tank level. Between those areas there were a high fluctuation in temperature. From around 6c to 40c.

I believe it is possible for the coolant in the overflow/expansion tank to evaporate slightly.

I’ve never had to add more than a few sips to get it to the correct level.

[6spdhyperblue]

It was likely always like that. Most were delivered with the coolant under filled

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

It was likely always like that. Most were delivered with the coolant under filled

Agreed. Once you’ve got it at the right level you should be good for a long time.

[Allez]

Thanks, no big deal then. Good to know.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Allez

So how much coolant loss over time is normal?

You are going to lose some water due to evaporation. If everything is sealed up tight, maybe a few ounces per year. Might vary depending on ambient temperature where you park the car. I also think as the rubber seals on the car age, you might tend to lose more. But this should not be more than an annual refill of a small amount until you sell the car.


There are a few schools of thought on what to add back when it is low:
1) 100% coolant, since you don't know if you lost because of leak or evaporation, and you can't go wrong with ALL coolant.
2) 50/50 mix - as this is factory fill
3) 100% water - as the water component is what evaporates, not the coolant part (so goes the theory)



I do #2. I use de-ionized water if I don't have 50/50 pre-mix, which is pretty much the same as distilled water. You don't want tap water.

[Allez]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

You are going to lose some water due to evaporation. If everything is sealed up tight, maybe a few ounces per year. Might vary depending on ambient temperature where you park the car. I also think as the rubber seals on the car age, you might tend to lose more. But this should not be more than an annual refill of a small amount until you sell the car.


There are a few schools of thought on what to add back when it is low:
1) 100% coolant, since you don't know if you lost because of leak or evaporation, and you can't go wrong with ALL coolant.
2) 50/50 mix - as this is factory fill
3) 100% water - as the water component is what evaporates, not the coolant part (so goes the theory)


I do #2. I use de-ionized water if I don't have 50/50 pre-mix, which is pretty much the same as distilled water. You don't want tap water.

Thanks - I have the pre-mix, so I'll use that.