[stonedpirate]

Hello,

I need to add coolant because the coolant is just below the LOW level.

Do i need to replace all the coolant in the radiator and reservoir tank or can i just top the the tank up with new coolant?

Also, what is a good coolant to buy for a vitara?

Thanks

[want33s]

If you know what type (not brand) of stuff you have in there you can add to it but different types shouldn't be mixed.
Best off to drain and refill with new.

PS: Water is coolant.... The other (green) stuff is anti-freeze &/or corrosion inhibitor.

Most common type is ethylene glycol and should be changed every two years.

I use Castrol corosion inhibitor. It comes in a white plastic bottle about half the size of a coke can.

[stonedpirate]

Cool, so i can just add distilled water since its unlikely to be cold till winter?

[alex]

stonedpirate wrote:

Cool, so i can just add distilled water since its unlikely to be cold till winter?

yep

[want33s]

Just adding water is OK but if you don't know how old the inhibitor is you'd be best to change it. Then you'll be good for 2 years.
Whether or not it gets cold, corrosion is still a problem without inhibitor.

[SuziBlu]

Yep, change it, its very cheap in the long run.

[royce]

dont mix types, brands, even different versions within the same brand, if you cant be sure what will happen its not worth it, at best nothing, at worse youll bore a hole straight through the block from acid erosion and electrolysis

if you are only topping up the overflow distilled water will be fine, if you need more its a good idea to drain and flush using a proper raditaot flush and fill up with some very high quality inhibitor

We dont need anti freeze, anti boil is useful but not a big concern, however we have an alloy radiator, alloy head, alloy block, alloy water housings and the blocks are already prone to breaking through and leaking coolant so nothing but top shelf for me, I use Tectaloy XP7 organic stuff on recommendation from Richard of A.R.E fame, I reckon he knows about this stuff