Engine Coolant Tester

[melinx]

My local Lidl has a very useful little hydrometer which shows the degrees of frost your antifreeze level is protecting you from.

Well worth the £1.30 cost of it

[kevinfourlegs]

Ta for the heads up on that.

[PeterC]

Thanks for the headsup. Coolant was on my to do list  . Dont forget tho it can still need changing just to get the other features working (I think the additive controls the boiling point as well - or am I totally wrong ?).

[melinx]

You're quite right: As you say, a decent antifreeze also contains corrosion inhibitors which are essential, particularly if you have an alloy head.

This is depleted over time so the manufacturers renewal schedule should be followed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze

[chris]

Handy tool, I used my cheapo one just the other day to check the coolant in the corsa we just bought, it looked weak and the tester confirmed. Well worth checking. I changed it quick before the frost starts.

I always change antifreeze and brake fluid on everything, they are two things that are unseen but prevent much bigger problems if changed.
Antifreeze to prevent corrosion and gasket problems, brake fluid cos it soaks up water and corrodes things from inside (as well as boiling).

I did both on the Corsa, red longlife antifreeze so it can stay in for 5 yrs too.