How to add coolant

[cyclotron0]

The Engine coolant level in my 2011 Genesis 4.8 is low.

Do I add the coolant to the Radiator (after removing radiator cap) or to the engine coolant reservoir (where the stick for measuring the coolant level is)?

I understand that may be a very stupid question. I would just rather be sure by asking the experts here.

 

[Mark_888]

Always add it to reservoir, and then double check the level after a few hours of driving and cool down. You should only use the proper coolant purchased from a Hyundai dealer. There are some after-market coolants made for Asian cars that could work, but they are just as expensive as Hyundai coolant. Be sure to mix it 50-50 with distilled/purified water (not bottled drinking/spring water) that you can buy at a grocery store for about $1 per gallon. Some after-market coolants for Asian cars are pre-diluted and some are not, but the Hyundai coolant is not pre-diluted.

The reservoir has a mark on the side of the container that shows the "full" level, and is semi-translucent so you can see if it is the proper level.

 

[kn5owa]

The Engine coolant level in my 2011 Genesis 4.8 is low.

Do I add the coolant to the Radiator (after removing radiator cap) or to the engine coolant reservoir (where the stick for measuring the coolant level is)?

I understand that may be a very stupid question. I would just rather be sure by asking the experts here.

As you noted, your 2011 V8 has a "dipstick" for measuring coolant level, as does my 2015 V8. But, it's interesting to note that the owner's manual's for both cars make no reference to said stick - only a lengthy discussion of how to remove the radiator cap with the usual boilerplate safety notes.

In any case, coolant is added thru the reservoir as noted above, with the stick removed, of course. I guess Hyundai was a little embarrassed by this rather klutzy arrangement. Probably, a lot of people are gonna be pulling the radiator cap as a result.

 

[Mark_888]

As you noted, your 2011 V8 has a "dipstick" for measuring coolant level, as does my 2015 V8. But, it's interesting to note that the owner's manual's for both cars make no reference to said stick - only a lengthy discussion of how to remove the radiator cap with the usual boilerplate safety notes.

In any case, coolant is added thru the reservoir as noted above, with the stick removed, of course. I guess Hyundai was a little embarrassed by this rather klutzy arrangement. Probably, a lot of people are gonna be pulling the radiator cap as a result.

On the V6 there is no dipstick in the reservoir, and the "F" line on the side of the reservoir indicates when it is full. I incorrectly assumed it was the same on the V8. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Mark_888]

I was looking at the Owners Manual for the Genesis 2009 Sedan and it shows two different Power Steering Fluid reservoirs, one with a dipstick and one without (F and L marks on the side of the coolant reservoir).

The coolant reservoir also has two types (one for 3.8 and one for 4.6) but the manual says both have F and L marks on the side of the coolant reservoir (no mention of dipstick).

Same for the 2013 Equus with 5.0L V8 engine, use F and L marks on the side of the coolant reservoir (no mention of dipstick). Same for the 2015 Genesis Owner's Manual (but I don't have either of these two cars, so can't verify accuracy).

I hope you guys are not looking at the power steering fluid cap by mistake (on a 2009-2014), or maybe someone put the wrong cap on the radiator reservoir. But I notice that the 2015 Owner's manual doesn't even mention power steering fluid, so I assume it does not need any.

 

[kn5owa]

2015 V8 - Power steering is electric - manual p. 3-18.

2015 V8 - Coolant level - check with dipstick (not easy) - Reason: overflow reservoir is completely hidden.
The manual refers only to radiator cap removal, however.

The manual does, however, inform you at page 5-9 to wear proper shoes when driving the car.

 

[Mark_888]

2015 V8 - Coolant level - check with dipstick (not easy) - Reason: overflow reservoir is completely hidden.
The manual refers only to radiator cap removal, however.

On page 7-30 of the 2015 Owner's Manual it says:

"The coolant level should be filled between the F and the L marks on the side of the coolant reservoir when the engine is cool." (And there is a picture of the reservoir filler cap on the same page.)​

 

[kn5owa]

On page 7-30 of the 2015 Owner's Manual it says:

"The coolant level should be filled between the F and the L marks on the side of the coolant reservoir when the engine is cool." (And there is a picture of the reservoir filler cap on the same page.)​

Quite right - but the people who built the car did not follow the owner's manual.

I wish they had - but the fact is, there are no F/L marks visible because the reservoir is completely hidden, as I noted already.

This is why, beneath that filler cap, one will find a very klutzy looking, barely useable, plastic dipstick. See orig. post.