Coolant replacement the easy way

Just noticed my coolant a little low. Am I OK to just top it off until I get around to changing the coolant next week?

 

Of course.

 

I’d be doing a Quick Look around for a leak…..

 

Yeah, I keep checking in my driveway and at work every day and never find anything.

 

Look underneath your front end.

 

i just did this. Super easy. I only did the radiator and passenger side. I had the truck parked on an incline, nose up. Approximately 2.7G came out and that much also went right back in. I didn't even have the start the engine to burp it. I'll drive it around for a bit and check it again in the next couple of days.

Thanks OP for the pics and guidance.

 

I have to get my fat lazy ass in gear to do this at some point soon. Glad you guys make the write-ups on these.

 

Same...

 

My truck has 125k, and I don't know if it was ever done since I just got it, so I figure I'll do it and feel better. The old coolant was still very pink and clean though, so I think they must have done it at some point.

 

Same..

I'm almost at 80k miles so not terrible.

Would ramps on both driver side tires be beneficial at draining the passenger side block?

 

No ramps needed. Just turn the wheel all the way to the right and there's plenty of room.

 

I took the wheels off just too make it easier, ramps definitely wouldn't help at all.

 

I was more thinking to drain the block completely, probably not necessary though

 

How do I know when the radiator is full? Maybe a dumb question. Never done this before. Thanks all.

 

Use something like this. https://a.co/d/7V7wvuU

 

Yup, game changer.

 

Ordered. Thanks! So basically when it gets to the top you plug the bottom and remove?

 

Good thread. I'm just over 40k on my 2019. Plan to drain/fill around 50-60k.

 

You fill it up locked into the radiator until there's maybe 1/4 of the funnel filled, start the truck up and let it run until the thermostat opens, bubbles will come up the funnel, keep the lid on a little, obviously not snap on but enough so that coolant doesn't spray you when it bubbles. Give the engine some revs and squeeze the rubber hoses going to the radiator. That will make sure you don't have any air in the system. Also make sure you overflow take is filled half way. Once done shut the truck off, plug the funnel, replace the radiator cap and drain the extra coolant back into the bottle.

 

Hah, i was too cheap to buy the fancy funnel. I just did it the old fashioned way. Just filled it up slowly until it overflowed.

 

I've done something similar with my motorcycles since they don't make those snap funnels that fit them I just stick a funnel that fits in, fill it and start the bike up til the thermostat opens, gotta watch it though or is easy to get the funnel to overflow.