Mercury 2002 Automobile User Manual


 
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36° C (-34° F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “cold full” of “cold fill range” level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in the Adding Engine Coolant section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly. A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
Freeze protection down to -36° C (-34° F).
Boiling protection up to 129° C (265° F).
Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
The engine coolant should be at the “cold fill level” or within the “cold
fill range” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for service interval
schedules.
Be sure to read and understand Precautions when servicing your
vehicle in this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
203