Jack25

I will be heading up to Canada for snowboarding after work today so last night I figure I give the Subie a look over before my 6+ hour drive tonight. I checked tire pressure, engine oil and the level of all of the other fluids in the car. When I came to the coolant, I couldn't see any coolant in the reservoir. I popped open the lid and upon closer inspection I see the level is way below the low line but there is still some in there. WTF, right?

So my plan is to stop at at dealership after work on my way up to Canada and get a jug of the super coolant. Can I just fill the reservoir or do I have to wait until the car cools? I think I can just fill because the radiator is not directly open to the reservoir at all time so the reservoir is not pressurized. Also, that lid on the reservoir doesn't look like it can take much pressure.

By the way I have a 2011 with only 11,000 miles so far. I guess it serves me right for not paying closer attention when I do oil changes.

crewzer

Your 2011 requires Subaru's "blue" super coolant, which is already mixed 50:50 with water. Since the non-turbo engine's reservoir is not pressurized, you can add coolant at any time, although doing so when the engine is cool/cold is probably wiser.

If the reservoir is empty, then Subary recommends first adding coolant through the radiator when the engine is cold. Then add coolant to the reservoir. Check your OM for more info.

Note that the reservoir coolant level will normally increase when the engine is hot, and decrease when it's cold. Accordingly, I check and fill my car's coolant when it's cold; I use the upper ("Full") mark as my reference. And, cold is relative (summer vs. winter), so small seasonal changes in cold level are normal.

HTH, and best of luck!
Jim / crewzer

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Jack25

Thread Starter

Thanks. The reservoir isn't completely empty. I can still see some. Yeah, I checked when the engine was cold so maybe that was why it was so low. It's definitely below the low mark so I'll need to add some. I just called Subaru and there is one on the way up to Canada that has it in stock.

zed2500

Mine got down to that level by about 25K miles I believe. Engine bay area also reeks of coolant when warm. No signs of leaks.

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Jack25

Thread Starter

What does coolant smell like? i didn't smell anything funny in the engine bay nor recall ever smelling something out of the ordinary.

crewzer

Coolant typically has a bit of a "sweet chemical" aroma to it. It's hard to describe, but recognizable.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

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domoMKIV

Maple syrup


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adc

I wish Subaru would enter the 21st century and pressurized the coolant plastic tank so you could absolutely know that the radiator was full and evaporation wouldn't be an issue . /rant

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Inspector

Dream bigger, I wish subaru stopped making cars that eat coolant.

adc

The FB engine solves that problem.

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2010subieforester

Yeah it drinks oil instead of coolant

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