With the cold temperatures that are now here I thought I would check my antifreeze last night in my cars. I have a 2014 f150 with about 8K miles on it. I still consider it brand new and I wasn't going to check it, but I thought it's better to be safe than sorry.

So after realizing there was no radiator cap??? I checked it from the reservoir and the orange coolant showed about -10 F. in my float tester. Our other car, a Subaru, tested at about -45 F. I tested it twice trying to figure out if I wasn't getting enough in the tester or something.

Is this normal for a new truck to not have adequate antifreeze in it? Do the float testers not work on the orange antifreeze? Everything looks the way it's supposed to and the coolant looked fine and at appropriate levels. I'm not sure if I should add more or what to do.

Thanks in advance.

 

Where are you located? Cold temps can be quite subjective.

 

MTSU is that Middle Tennessee State University?

Like said above, it all depends on where you live and what level of protection you need. I live in MT so I need it down into the 40's.

And most vehicles have not had a radiator cap since the late 90's.

 

Yes, float testers work fine for the newer types of antifreeze, a simple Google search will show you that.

That is the radiator cap, on that tank.

A 50/50 mix gets you to minus 34F, and that's where your vehicle should be. -45 says you have too much coolant to water ratio. -10, if your area gets ambient temps (not wind chill temps) below that would be of a concern to me. I have a 2013 and have not checked the level of protection, figuring Ford puts in a pre-blended mix and all should be well.

 

Yes. I actually live in Middle Tennessee. MTSU is my alma mater.

I agree with cold temps being relative. I am just surprised to see a new car with antifreeze at only -10F. It's not normal for it to get that cold here, but I have seen the temperature below -10 many years ago. I think it was in the early 80s.

This is the first vehicle I've owned that has not had a radiator cap. While I was looking for it last night I thought I was loosing my mind.

Has anyone else checked theirs with a float tester?

 

I checked mine last year and it was -35 or -40. I dont remember which.....

 

I was figuring it to be fine as well Ricktwuhk and that's what surprised me. I expected the factory levels to be about perfect. I am glad I checked it. I might have to add a little.

Thank you.

 

I figured out my problem. The float tester I was using was an old one, and although it seemed to work fine on other anti freezes, it did not work with the orange. I tried a new float tester made my prestone and it worked fine.

I guess it's a good idea to update your tester more than every 4 decades, LOL.

Thanks for all of your help.

 

I went out last week to do the testing on my vehicles. I have an old Prestone floaty from the day, and a small tube type with float ***** I bought a few years ago. I have two older vehicles and usually test them every fall, but ran a bit late this year. My '94 T'bird is at about -35. I replaced the water pump, thermostat and both Radiator hoses four years ago, right before I got the truck. So it's been sitting most of the time. Last Feb. I bought an '02 Grand Marquee LS Ultimate model. It tested at -20, but it's filthy. So when it warms up a bit it will be flushed and changed. While I was at it I thought I'd test the truck. Sure enough, like yours it read about -10 with both testers. I guess it's time for me to get a new tester as well. And, as I'm sitting here thinking about it, I haven't tested the antifreeze in '12 Polaris Ranger HD since I've bought it. Might be a good idea...........

 

Temps have been on the negative side of 0 for a couple days here in balmy Michigan. Windshield washer fluid froze in the tank. Why do dealers use that cheap blue stuff in cold climates? There was enough room in the tank to put in a pint of rubbing alcohol and a quart of -25 fluid. About 2 hours later all was good and I can see out now. Now I need to buy a new float tester and see how cheap they went with the antifreeze.