Can I top up antifreeze myself if it's low?

You can top up antifreeze yourself. The steps for adding antifreeze are as follows:

1. Open the car bonnet once the engine has cooled down.
2. Remove the antifreeze reservoir cap. Open the radiator drain valve (located at the bottom right or left of the radiator - position varies by vehicle model) to drain the old antifreeze.
3. Flush the cooling system by continuously pouring clean water into the engine cooling system. Keep the engine idling during this process to circulate the water until it runs clear from the radiator.
4. Wait until all antifreeze has drained, then close the drain valve.
5. Refill with new antifreeze until the level reaches between the MAX and MIN marks.

Antifreeze is a specially formulated coolant containing additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine systems. Always use the same brand and type of antifreeze when topping up, as different manufacturers use different additive formulations for specific engine requirements. Its main functions are:

1. Providing excellent protection against boiling in summer, and year-round protection against scale formation and corrosion.
2. Preventing the coolant from freezing and potentially cracking the radiator during cold winter conditions when the vehicle is stationary.