WARNING:
Do not remove the coolant reservoir cap when the vehicle is on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10 minutes for the cooling system to cool down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap with a thick cloth to prevent the possibility of scalding and slowly remove the cap. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury.
WARNING:
Do not put coolant in the windshield washer reservoir. If sprayed on the windshield, coolant could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING:
Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark. |
Note:
Coolant expands when it is hot.The level may extend beyond the MAX mark.
Your vehicle has a battery cooling system and a motor electrical cooling system. See
Under Hood Overview
.
The luggage compartment covers need to be removed in order to access the reservoirs.
See
Installing and Removing the Luggage Compartment Cover
.
When the electric motor is cold, check the concentration and level of the coolant at the intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance information. See
Scheduled Maintenance
.
Maintain coolant concentration within 48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze point between
-29–-35 °F (-34–-37 °C). Check coolant concentration using a refractometer. We do not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test strips for measuring coolant concentration.
Adding Coolant
It is very important to use prediluted coolant approved to the correct specification in order to avoid plugging the small passageways in the electric motor cooling system. See
Cooling System Capacity and Specification
.
Do not mix different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Mixing of coolants or using an incorrect coolant may harm the electric motor or cooling system components and may cause damage that the vehicle warranty may not cover.
Note:
Automotive fluids are not interchangeable.
Note:
Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling system sealants, or non-specified additives as they can cause damage to the electric motor cooling or heating systems.
Note:
If prediluted coolant is not available, use the approved concentrated coolant diluting it to 50/50 with distilled or deionized water. See
Cooling System Capacity and Specification
.
Using water that has not been deionized could contribute to deposit formation, corrosion and plugging of the small cooling system passageways.
Note:
Coolants marketed for all makes and models might not meet our specifications and could cause damage to the cooling system. Resulting component damage could void the vehicle warranty.
If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark, add prediluted coolant immediately.
To top up the coolant level do the following:
- Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure escapes as you unscrew the cap.
- Add prediluted coolant approved to the correct specification. See
Cooling System Capacity and Specification
.
- Add enough prediluted coolant to reach the correct level.
- Replace the coolant reservoir cap. Turn the cap clockwise until it contacts the hard stop.
- Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the next few times you drive your vehicle. If necessary, add enough prediluted coolant to bring the coolant level to the correct level.
If you have to add more than
1.1 qt (1 L) of coolant per month, have your vehicle checked as soon as possible. Operating your vehicle with a low level of coolant can result in overheating and possible electric motor damage.
In case of emergency, you can add a large amount of water without coolant in order to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, have qualified personnel do the following as soon as possible:
- Drain the cooling system.
- Chemically clean the coolant system.
- Refill with coolant.
Water alone, without coolant, can cause damage from corrosion, overheating or freezing.
Do not use the following as a coolant substitute:
- Alcohol.
- Methanol.
- Brine.
- Any coolant mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze.
Alcohol and other liquids can cause damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the coolant.
Recycled Coolant
We do not recommend the use of recycled coolant, as an approved recycling process is not yet available.
Dispose of used coolant in an appropriate manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
- It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.
- A coolant concentration of 60% provides improved freeze point protection.
- Coolant concentrations above 60% decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the coolant and may cause damage to the electric motor.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
- You can decrease the coolant concentration to 40%.
- A coolant concentration of 40% provides improved overheat protection.
- Coolant concentrations below 40% decrease the overheat and corrosion protection characteristics of the coolant and may cause damage to the electric motor.
Coolant Change
Change the coolant at specific mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance information. Add prediluted coolant approved to the correct specification. See
Cooling System Capacity and Specification
.