Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body and painted surfaces of the car. Accidental drops should be washed off immediately with plenty of water. Antifreeze is an extremely toxic liquid, the ingress of which into the body, even in small quantities, can be fatal. Never leave antifreeze in an open container or spilled on the garage floor - its sweet smell can easily attract children and animals. Repair leaks in the cooling system as soon as you notice them.
The cooling system should be filled with a 40:60 solution of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze in water, which will provide freeze resistance down to approximately -27°C. Antifreeze also raises the boiling point of the coolant, as well as (if it is good quality) provides resistance to corrosion.
The cooling system should be drained, flushed and refilled at regular intervals (see chapter Car maintenance). An old or contaminated antifreeze solution can cause serious damage, as well as encourage the formation of rust and scale in the system. If possible, try to use distilled or clean rainwater with antifreeze. Tap water may be fine if it is not too «tough».
Before pouring antifreeze, check the condition of all hose connections, as antifreeze tends to seep through the smallest leaks. Under normal conditions, the engine does not consume coolant, so if its level drops, you should find out the reason for this and eliminate it.
The antifreeze mixture must be in the correct proportion; adding too much antifreeze reduces the efficiency of the cooling system. If necessary, before refueling, you can check the card of rules for compiling the coolant mixture on containers with antifreeze. The hydrometer needed to test the coolant can be purchased from an auto parts store. Try to use antifreeze recommended by the car manufacturer.