Q:We have an older Chevy pickup work truck. It gets driven less than 3,000 miles a year. Over the summer I replaced a lower radiator hose. I refilled the radiator with new coolant. I did not measure it out. I put in coolant and then added water but it didn't take a lot of water. I'd say it's about three quarters full of coolant. Will this keep the engine from getting damaged over winter? (Truck is parked outside.) - Evan F., Brooklyn Center
A:Are you sure you used concentrated coolant? That's the standard but antifreeze is available pre-mixed at 50 percent coolant/50 percent water. If you used the concentrated form, the fluid is under-diluted. If, by chance, what you used was premixed, it is now too diluted for maximum protection.
You don't want it too diluted because it could possibly freeze on a severe winter day with catastrophic results for the engine. Over-concentrated isn't ideal, either. One could imagine that since the product is called antifreeze, and it lowers the freezing point of the liquid used to cool the engine, that more of it is better for winter. One might even conjecture that pure antifreeze would be best during January and February. It doesn't work that way, however. The typical glycol-based anti-freeze provides the best protection against freezing and overheating at the specified concentration of 1 part water per 1 part coolant. Along with decreased hot and cold protection, running pure coolant can cause corrosion in the cooling system and damage the water pump.
I'd buy a cheap tester at an auto parts store, measure the concentration and then adjust accordingly. Your radiator should have a drain tap near the lower hose fitting. You can drain a small amount, shut the tap, add distilled water if over-concentrated or coolant if too diluted, affix the radiator cap, run the engine a few minutes to distribute what you added, and re-measure. Be sure the radiator is cool any time you remove the cap to avoid scalding fluid rushing out.
Distilled water is best because tap water contains chlorine and dissolved minerals that can interfere with beneficial additives, such as rust inhibitors, in the coolant. As you know, the drained coolant is toxic and should be kept from children and pets and properly recycled.
Q:I have a 2008 Hyundai Tucson Limited that supposedly has six speakers plus a subwoofer. However, I cannot locate the subwoofer. The amplifier is under the rear floor panel next tothe spare. I have called the dealer service department and they basically indicated that they do not know where the subwoofer is located and suggested I refer to the service manual. I called the Hyundai regional office and they noted that I should go to the dealer. I've tried all of the settings for treble, bass, center and fade. I have put the fade to the rear speakers (i.e., front speakers off) and then tried to listen for the subwoofer in the front center of the vehicle. I cannot hear anything from a subwoofer. I just do not think that the subwoofer is functional. Or, the subwoofer was never installed. Any suggestions on how to resolve my issue? - Andy P., St. Paul
A:Hyundai does promote that the Limited includes a stereo with subwoofer. It is bolted underneath the passenger seat. If you place your ears in that area and run your tests and hear nothing, it isn't working. There is a wire with an 8-pin connector sending power. I'd check to see if the wire has come loose. If that doesn't fix it, Hyundaiusa's website indicates a 3-year/36,000-mile for the stereo system. Your dealer can fix this one and send the bill to Hyundai.
