Advice topping up and checking coolant?

[20ten]

Hi theres,

I have a 2010 Toyota Camry.

Would like to know if I check the coolant while engine is cold, should the coolant be at the minimum line?

Thanks

[blakeyB]

If it's at the minimum line, you're OK.

But if it was me, I'd add a bit just to get in the middle between high and low.

[campbeam]

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should not be below the minimum line. I would suggest having the coolant level at the maximum line.

Actually, I have my coolant above the maximum line when the engine is cold. When the engine is hot, the coolant level is still below the top of the coolant overflow bottle. Now filled with long life coolant i.e.8 years but I still regularly check the coolant level whenever I pop the bonnet to check the engine oil level which is usually most Saturday mornings.

[20ten]

I thought the rule was max line for hot engine

and minimum line for cold engine

atm it is a bit above minimum line on a cold engine

[campbeam]

On the coolant overflow bottle there is a L [low] line and a F [full] line. Coolant expands with heat and goes from the radiator to the overflow bottle. When the engine is stopped and starts to cool down, coolant is drawn back into the radiator from the overflow bottle. 

[20ten]

thanks for the explanation

[20ten]

 

 

1 hour ago, campbeam said:

On the coolant overflow bottle there is a L [low] line and a F [full] line. Coolant expands with heat and goes from the radiator to the overflow bottle. When the engine is stopped and starts to cool down, coolant is drawn back into the radiator from the overflow bottle. 

thanks for the explanation

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by 20ten