How to Flush and Dispose of Antifreeze
Don’t go dumping antifreeze down the drain
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In the good old days, you could drain fluids from your car and just dump them in the backyard without another thought. A small hole and some gravel were all you needed. Out of sight, out of mind. Well, as it turns out, pouring chemicals into the ground doesn’t make them magically go away. In fact, that stuff usually ended up in local water supplies and made people sick.
Today, we know better and have a whole list of environmental laws and regulations on what can and can’t be dumped. As you might imagine from reading this post, antifreeze is not on the approved list. Getting rid of antifreeze the right way can sound like a real pain at first, but it’s not difficult at all, and it’s absolutely the right thing to do.
The Drive’s elite team of researchers and editors have been through the process of disposing of antifreeze in several different areas of the country. Some places are different from others, but the basic idea is the same no matter where you are. We can’t tell you what the law requires in your specific area, but we can break down the best ways to find out what the regulations are. We’ll also get into how to drain and replace your antifreeze and give some helpful safety tips as well.
Let’s do this!
What Is Antifreeze?
Here’s the funny thing about antifreeze: It’s not actually made to prevent freezing, or at least it’s not only made to prevent freezing. Antifreeze is a coolant that is meant to regulate engine temperatures. It is pumped through the engine to help it maintain a consistent temperature, and can help prevent corrosion or other damage.
Antifreeze is at least partially made from a chemical called ethylene glycol. Different brands and types of antifreeze may have different concentrations and coloring, but at their base, they all start with ethylene glycol. When used in a car, the solution is mixed with water, usually half and half, and is stored in a reservoir in the vehicle’s engine bay.
Basics
Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours, depending on your skill level and the type of vehicle.
Skill Level: Beginner
Vehicle System: Coolant system
Everything You’ll Need To Drain and Refill Your Antifreeze
You won’t need many tools to drain and replace your antifreeze, but make sure you have everything on hand before you get started.
Tool List
- Drain pan
- Absorbent towels
- Basic hand tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)
- Safety goggles
- Mechanics gloves
- Vehicle service manual
- Jack stands
- Jack
- Hose removal tool
Parts List
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)
You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Antifreeze isn’t as harmful to be around as gasoline fumes, but it’s a good idea to work in a well-ventilated area anyway. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting you or your ride out of the clink.
Here’s How To Dispose Of Antifreeze
Let’s do this!
Checking And Draining Antifreeze
Let’s start this process by checking your current coolant levels and the condition of the existing fluid.
- Remove the reservoir cap or cover and take a look. It should be relatively clear, and close to the same color it was when you poured it in to begin with.
- If the fluid is a rusty color or is no longer clear, it’s time to get your car to the shop. The same is true if there is debris or any other junk floating around in the reservoir. This means there’s a problem that a coolant flush won’t remedy.
- If everything looks clean in the reservoir, jack the car up and place jack stands to hold it while you work.
- Place the drain pan under the radiator. Use pliers to loosen the lower radiator hose clamp. This might require a screwdriver if it’s a worm-drive clamp.
- Drain the radiator completely. Leave the drain pan in place until the radiator and water pump are fully drained.
- Make sure that all hoses and drain plugs have been reinstalled properly
- Refer to your vehicle’s service manual or owner’s manual to determine how much antifreeze you need to add. Make sure to dilute the antifreeze to the levels recommended by both the manufacturer and the company that made the fluid.
- In many cases, this will end up being a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze, but in some cases the antifreeze is pre-diluted.
- Pour slowly, making sure to monitor the fluid levels. Sometimes, air bubbles and the shape of the reservoir itself can cause fluid to back up while it’s being filled, which can cause an overflow and a spill.
- Turn on the engine and let it run at idle for a few moments. Leave the cap off of the radiator while you’re doing this and check to ensure that the coolant is circulating.
- Replace the radiator cap and look once more at the coolant reservoir to make sure that it’s still at an acceptable level.
Antifreeze Disposal Safety
There’s more to this than the actual fluid disposal. Staying safe during the process is important to your health and that of the people and environment around you.
- Never, ever, try to open a coolant reservoir in a car that is hot. The fluid inside frequently boils, and could spray out, burning your skin.
- If you get coolant in your eyes or on your skin, wash the area as soon as possible. If you, a child, or a pet accidentally ingests antifreeze, call poison control immediately.
- Even though antifreeze isn’t as harmful to breathe in as something like gas, it’s best to work in a space that has adequate ventilation.
How to Dispose of Antifreeze Safely
Like Tide Pods, antifreeze is a tantalizing color and smells inviting. Also like Tide Pods, antifreeze can kill people or animals dumb enough to ingest it. This is not an invitation to start the antifreeze challenge on TikTok, but it is a warning that you can’t just pour antifreeze down the drain.
When it’s time to dispose of coolant, you’ll need to make sure that you’re in compliance with state and local laws and regulations. Your town or state should have a waste management department or similar organization whose job it is to manage and regulate hazardous materials like antifreeze, engine oils, gasoline, and even old electronics with batteries that can damage the environment. They can tell you how, where, and when to dispose of antifreeze, and there may even be a special facility in your area where you can drop off those materials.
Some areas have recycling centers that can take old chemicals, and many automotive shops offer a disposal service. There might be a fee for disposal if you go the shop route, but it’s far cheaper than paying a fine for illegally disposing of the stuff at home.
Get Help With Disposing Of Antifreeze From a Mechanic On JustAnswer
Although The Drive’s detailed how-to guides are easy to follow, a rusty bolt, an engine component not in the correct position, or a messy oil leak can derail a project. That’s why we’ve partnered with JustAnswer, which connects you to certified mechanics around the globe, to get you through even the toughest jobs.
So if you have a question or are stuck, click here and talk to a mechanic near you.
Pro Tips to Dispose Of Antifreeze
The Drive’s editors have done it all, here are our pro tips to dispose of antifreeze.
- Before you drain or try to replace the antifreeze, make sure you have an absorbent material around to soak up any spills. Baking soda, sand, and kitty litter all work well to help contain a spill.
- If you can’t get to a recycling center to safely dispose of antifreeze right away, you’ll have to store it. Use a metal, plastic, or other non-reactive containers to store the antifreeze. Just make sure the container has a lid that is secure to prevent spills or other unwanted access (kids/animals). Also, don’t mix antifreeze with anything else. It should have its own container.
- Depending on the age and type of car you drive, you might need a special type of coolant. Check your car’s maintenance manual or ask a mechanic if you need a specific type.
FAQs About Disposing Of Antifreeze
You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!
Q. I Need To Refill My Antifreeze Frequently. Is This Normal?
A. No, it’s not normal. If you find yourself needing to top off the coolant levels regularly, there could be a leak. Keep an eye on the ground where you usually park to check for stains or wet spots that could indicate a leak and get your car to a shop for a checkup as soon as possible.
Q. I Found Cheap Coolant At The Dollar Store. Won’t It Work The Same As The Expensive Stuff?
A. It might, but we won’t be recommending it any time soon. Just like almost everything else in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to antifreeze. Cheap out, and you could be facing problems that cost a lot more than a nice jug of antifreeze.
Q. I’m Stuck on the Side of the Road and Don’t Have Antifreeze. Can I Just Use Water?
A. First of all, we hope that you’re in a safe place before bugging us about antifreeze. The short answer is, yes, you can use water. This should only be done in a pinch to get you to a shop or store where you can purchase the real deal. Antifreeze is more stable and capable of handling extreme temperatures, but water is not. Once it’s past its freezing or boiling points, water is almost useless as an engine coolant.
Video
Learn more about coolant with this helpful video from Engineering Explained.
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