Anti-freeze

catieeb06

Hi There,

Recently bought myself an 08 plate Peugeot 107 and I really want to look at getting it ready for the winter. I've literally had it 10 days.

I want to make the antifreeze a little bit thicker to get it through the winter, but can I literally just stick some more in or should I drain it out?

How do I drain the stuff? My old car had a leaky radiator so it used to handle all that itself!

Also, not knowing what oil is in there, should I have that changed? It only has 29,000 on the clock and was serviced at 25,000 so it's not yet really due a service.

Any advice appreciated!

Skulls

Join the city bug club, lots of advice and info on C1, 107 and Aygo. Do a search under C1 forum and you should find it. I think I'm the only one there with a silver bug.

forgotmyname

Just drain what you can from the expansion bottle and refill with neat antifreeze, Just
make sure you buy the right type for your car.

Warm the car up and depending on the system it will mix as the engine cools or it will be drawn into the
system as it exands and then later cools.

No need to crawl under the car. I did my mums with a cheap large syringe. Pulled just over a litre out with
that then filled with neat undiluted anti-freeze.

The recommended mix for my car is only good for -15. If this winters anything like last year it may need to be
stronger than that.

Most shops will sell 5 litres for about £20.

Hammyman

There is no need to top up the antifreeze. The stuff in it will be from the manufacturer and probably has absolutely no water content and will be good for any temperature you're likely to get in this country.

You have to get the stuff from the main dealer for your car, you can't just chuck any old stuff in a modern car.

catieeb06

Really?

Damn, that's some expensive stuff I think.

Does it also apply to oil? Again, my old car was an oil burner so it used to empty itself regularly and I just chucked any old oil in there.

Does a service drain all oil and coolant from the system? If so, should I worry about getting it done any old place or should I get it done by Peugeot themselves? The reason I ask is because I know if I go direct to manufacturer I am likely to be ripped off. The woman who owned the car before had break pads and clutch replaced and they charged her like £500 but if I went elsewhere I could probably have it done cheaper.

City bug club, lol I shall search it now.

Mine's black by the way.

[Deleted User]

Apparently my coolant only protected down to -17 and that was back in April 2010 when I had it checked on a service.

Think it is wise to get it changed now?

Pug 206.

catieeb06

Well that's what I am asking, it was serviced 4,000 miles ago by the previous owner. That was back in May.

Hammyman

catieeb06 wrote: »

Really?

Damn, that's some expensive stuff I think.

Does it also apply to oil? Again, my old car was an oil burner so it used to empty itself regularly and I just chucked any old oil in there.

Using the wrong grade oil can prematurely wear the engine. Adding synthetic oil to normal mineral oil and vice versa can destroy its lubricating properties.

Does a service drain all oil and coolant from the system?

Oil yes, coolant no. Coolant is only ever done as a separate item and usually only needs to be done about every 10 years on modern vehicles.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

personally i would ask you main dealer to test the viscocity of the antifreeze, this shouldnt cost much if at all anything if their doing free winter checks, i know of 1 main dealer here is offering a free winter check to all cars not just pugs and there no obligation to purchase from them.

dont tamper with it or just drain it and replace etc. have it tested then go from there, if its been serviced on its 25k miles theres no need to have the oil changed at all unless you like spending cash for reasurance on a mini service.

screen wash is one thing its getting frosty and cold, screen wash freezes in the bottle, to prevent this i make up my own screen wash, get the cheapest stuff you can lay you hands on (usually aldi screen wash) get a measuring jug, get white vinegar and add half a pint to the measuring jug, then if you have some laying around vodka add half a cup to the measuring jug dear high %vol stuff is best as that doesnt freeze but anything will do, then fill the rest of the measuring jug with you cheap screen wash, add that to your screen wash tank then top up with water. whent the temps dipped down to -22 here my screen wash still worked and it didnt freeze up in the line either, all i had to do was put de icer on the jets and hey presto squirt the screen to melt the snow and ice and off i went.

soesnt smear the window either, cleans it perfectly well.

paulwellerfan

brilliant idea about the vodka, never ever thought of that.
will try it, as last year my screen wash frooze

mikey72

Leave out the vinegar and screen wash though. Then you can drink it if you get stuck