How to check your coolant level
Super Tire & Muffler · Updated June 20, 2026
Coolant keeps your engine from overheating in summer and freezing in winter. Checking the level is easy, but the one rule that matters most is safety: only do it when the engine is completely cold.
- 1
Make sure the engine is cold
Check coolant only on a cold engine. First thing in the morning is ideal. A hot, pressurized system can spray scalding coolant.
- 2
Find the coolant reservoir
Locate the translucent overflow tank under the hood, usually marked with a coolant or temperature symbol and "MIN" and "MAX" lines.
- 3
Read the level
Look at the coolant level against the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the tank. It should sit between them.
- 4
Top off if low
If it is below MIN, add the correct coolant to the reservoir (never the radiator) up to the MAX line.
- 5
Note the color and amount
Coolant should look bright and clean. Rusty or muddy coolant, or a level that keeps dropping, is worth getting checked.
Rather we handle it? If your coolant is low again and again, looks dirty, or your temperature gauge runs hot, bring it in. We will pressure-test the cooling system to find the leak before it becomes an overheating problem.