How to Change Coolant on 2012-2016 Subaru Impreza

[@mrlights4x4]

I did my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek today, I found it to be ALLOT EASIER to just remove the plastic under plate ( 4 12mm bolts and 6 push plugs ) That gave me FULL access to the drain plug and with out trying to do this with a short Phillips Screw driver.... I also used my air compressor and air nozzle to push the coolant out of the system... I got about 95% of the coolant ou of my car... So I now have almost all new coolant in my sysetm.....

[@zee_nyc]

this is a pro tip. 🙌

[@yosefyitz]

Thanks for the tip. I removed 2 front bolts only so got access and it was still hanging in the less accessable area. My drain pan sat on the dropping pan.

[@nastysoda9212]

super clean engine bay! Nice job and thanks for the info

[@danielfliman3683]

Thanks and you’re welcome!

[@eriku571]

How do you drain the coolant in the engine block?

[@charlesspinola969]

Hi where did you get the no spill radiator fill kit from? Not sure if you can attach a link? Thanks

[@PolkCountyWIProgressive]

Does this work for a 2016 Crosstrek 2.0L too? I assume yes.

[@shamwaymoonyos9578]

From what I can tell there is no coolant plug on the engine block to release any coolant from there on my 2015 WRX. Going to use distilled water to flush out the coolant. I just hope I do all this correctly... The service manual for doing this does not say to add into the radiator cap area but instead into the overflow container deal and have it suck in from there.

[@Robert-un3cf]

Yeah, you want to use the highest point on the cooling system, which is the reservoir next to the turbo on the wrx.

[@shamwaymoonyos9578]

@@Robert-un3cf I ended up not using distilled water and just did a drain and fill. I dd fill in the radiator cap area and also in the overflow spot. It's been just fine. Out new upper and lower radiator hoses in car as well. Didn't do thermostat which I'll likely do next time in around 30k miles

[@nastysoda9212]

@@shamwaymoonyos9578 doing drain and fills often is the best way, otherwise you will throw off the mixture by a ton. because you'll never get that water all out.

[@MA-kt8ly]

Yaiks !! what about the coolant in engine and heater core?

[@joo772]

How’d u get the full funnel off wo spilling?? Curious. Thank you 😊

[@danielfliman3683]

There is a plug that comes with the kit, after the coolant stops going down, you plug it, and then drain it back into the coolant container.

[@l...]

Is SUBARU super coolant G11 or G12 or G13 ??? Thank you for 60FPS

[@Nvp8985]

The plastic plug is a problem for me. I took the belly pan off to gain access and things went great but when I reinstalled the plastic plug and started refilling it leaked. Not sure if it’s the plug that’s bad or the threads in the bottom of the radiator. This info has been no where to be found on the internet. I ordered a new plug and hopefully that will fix it but if not who knows. Plastic drain plug is a bad idea.

[@andreataffe4295]

Just to clarify (because I have a 2012 Subaru Impreza), when you removed the air intake, it was to acess the radiator drain from the above the car, not below the car, right? It's going to drain from the bottom, but you are u hooking from above the car? ( I hope this is a clear question)

[@superkari28]

hi my car is subaru by adding a coolant it doesnt matter if the coolant is red blue or green can i fix the blue into green? or red into green?

[@feinschmegga]

Only use blue Subaru coolant

[@tvted6160]

When are you supposed to do the coolant replacement? Every 5 years?

[@danielfliman3683]

According to Subaru, 1st replacement interval is 11years/137,500 miles, and then every subsequent replacement is every 6 years/ 75,000 miles.

[@tvted6160]

@@danielfliman3683 thanks bud

[@SittingBearProd]

Ever wonder why the coolant doesn’t contain the conditioner to begin with????

[@danielfliman3683]

Some people may only be using the coolant as a top up, so you wouldn’t want to overload the system with conditioner. Also the conditioner was released a few years after the car was due to head gasket issues, and I’m not sure if the newer models of Subaru (which also use the same coolant) also need the conditioner.

[@nathanielb1499]

I was looking for the conditioner, and I had a guy at advanced auto say that alot of coolant producers add a bit of conditioner to their product, I'm not saying do or don't, but it's something to keep in mind.

[@jessewhite3886]

Why would they just add it with it when they could sell it as a separate product

[@maximilianfoster1955]

Hey Daniel how come you didn’t empty the reservoir in the video? Do I have to take that off to drain or does it drain through the radiator plug ?

[@jnepute]

You will have to remove the reservoir. Should just be 2 bolts at the top. Always a good idea to remove the reservoir, drain it and clean any residue/sediment.

[@saberbadrous3348]

What is the best Subaru coolant alternative?

[@danielfliman3683]

I don’t recommend using one. Subarus are very particular on the coolant they use, I would say to use the OEM coolant and nothing else.

[@saberbadrous3348]

@@danielfliman3683 I am from Egypt and there are no Subaru coolant so I need alternative

[@cavinlandry7546]

Asian blue is the same🍻

[@ghostbox4688]

Hello! Could you do a quick video on floor jack and jack stand placements for 2012-2016 subaru imprezas? Been really hesitant to learn basic maintenance because I’m totally scared of the possibility of the floor jack and jack stands failing due to improper placement.

[@danielfliman3683]

Hey! I’d love to if I still owned the car haha. Make sure you are jacking the car from the pinch weld, the semi thin line of metal that runs the length of the car, there are little cut outs in the pinch weld that you can use to know where to jack it from. Then make sure to put your stand on a chunky piece of frame and not the floor board, that’s pretty important. If you hit the frame with a screwdriver it should sound like metal on metal or else your hitting the floor board.

[@tdizzle2179]

The jack placement is in your owners manual also there is arrows on the rocker panels indicating where to place your jack stands on 90%of cars

[@PurplDanq]

Damn good video sr

[@andreataffe4295]

...and what if I am trying to get oil out of the radiator.

[@uncledoz9494]

What size phillips head are you using here? Thanks

[@danielfliman3683]

Not 100% sure, sorry.

[@ashimkhadka9558]

Nice video. I have '15 impreza. Is the conditioner necessary ?

[@danielfliman3683]

Technically yes, it’s called for in the service manual, it’s done to prevent head gasket leaks.

[@paulwahlstrom626]

I'd recommend it. It is there to help with the life of your head gasket.

[@ride4life32]

According to the dealership they don't need it anymore when they came out with the FA engines. Just the old ej engines needed the conditioner

[@Abucody]

Good job, thanks.

[@danielfliman3683]

No problem!

[@htboston]

Your way of draining the coolant, does it remove all the coolant from the cooling system or just the radiator part?

[@danielfliman3683]

It drains the entire radiator and maybe a little more, this is the procedure that they would do at the dealership if you asked for a coolant change, this is not a coolant flush.

[@heyaisdabomb]

​@@danielfliman3683 This IS NOT what the service manual calls for, unless they drastically changed something between 2016 and 2017... The service manual calls for this: 1. Remove the water tank pipe cap. 2. Loosen the air bleed plug on the heater outlet hose. 3. Pour in cooling system conditioner. Pour it from the radiator side. 4. Pour engine coolant into the radiator and top off to the opening of the water tank pipe cap. Pour it from the radiator side. 5. Install the water tank pipe cap. Always use the water tank pipe cap, since its function is different from the radiator cap. 6. After pouring in the engine coolant, close the air bleeding plug when the engine coolant comes out of the air bleeding plug on the heater outlet hose. 7. Pour engine coolant into the radiator up to the filler neck position. 8. Fill engine coolant into the reservoir tank up to “FULL” level. 9. Install the reservoir tank cap. 10. Install the radiator cap. 11. Start the engine, and race 5 to 6 times at 3,000 r/min or less, then stop the engine. Complete this operation within 40 seconds. 12. After stopping the engine, wait for at least 1 minute and then remove the radiator cap. If the engine coolant level drops, add engine coolant into radiator up to the filler neck position. Do not remove the water tank pipe cap, or the engine coolant may over flow. 13. Perform the procedures 10), 11) and 12) again. 14. Install the radiator cap. 15. Start the engine and operate the heater at maximum hot position and the blower speed setting at “LO”, and the A/C switch at “OFF”. 16. Run the engine at 3,000 r/min or less until the radiator fan starts and then stops. Frequently check the engine coolant temperature in order to avoid overheat. 17. Stop the engine and wait until the engine coolant temperature lowers to 30°C (86°F) or less. 18. Remove the radiator cap. If the engine coolant level drops, add engine coolant into the radiator up to the filler neck position and the reservoir tank to “FULL” level. 19. Attach the radiator cap and reservoir tank cap properly. 20. Set the heater setting to maximum hot position, the blower speed setting to “LO”, and the A/C switch to “OFF”, and start the engine. Perform racing at 3,000 r/min or less. If the flowing sound is heard from the heater core, repeat the procedures from step 16).

[@danielfliman3683]

@@heyaisdabomb Actually it is, the 2016 and the 2017 are two different generations as the 2017 was a refreshed model with an improved engine among other design and interior changes. Two different vehicles hence the different procedures.

[@michellek.5775]

Nice Job

[@danielfliman3683]

Thank you!

[@JoseAguilar-sf7vj]

How much coolent did you use?

[@danielfliman3683]

About a gallon and a half.

[@kaliguy47]

Its not "conditioner" its a UK brand of Bars Stop Leak for head gasket issues. Crazy..

[@TamagoSarada_]

Hey what if im adding a different brand of coolant into my Subaru Impreza 2015. Can I add conditioner to it? Or should I ONLY use the conditioner with Subaru Super Coolant. (Im using aftermarket coolant bcuz it desperately needs coolant, I just bought it used)

[@danielfliman3683]

Not sure, but I wouldn’t use aftermarket stuff, especially on a Subaru.

[@johnathonperea6258]

How often should the coolant be flushed? I have a 2014 Subaru forester with only 31,000 original miles on it.

[@danielfliman3683]

About every 8 years or 100k miles, so I would go ahead and “drain and refill” your system, it’s technically not a flush. Only flush if your system is very dirty.

[@johnathonperea6258]

@@danielfliman3683 I’ll have the dealership check it out next time I took it in for an alignment and they said everything looked amazing they actually wanted to buy my forester from me considering I just bought it. But I’ll have it maintained and keep it for many years.

[@danielfliman3683]

Up to you, I used to work at a dealership, if you ask the service team if you need something, they are likely going to say yes even if you don’t need it, that’s how the game goes.

[@johnathonperea6258]

@@danielfliman3683 yes they told me every 60,000 miles the coolant needs to be flushed

[@johnathonperea6258]

I did want to ask you what does the Subaru coolant conditioner do?

[@wilsonfelipeflortrujillo3628]

No se puede encender el vehículo para liberar el refrigerante, que esta en la culata

[@rillrill1312]

how do i drain the resevoir tank?

[@Nvp8985]

That comes off easily. Push the plastic tab and slid it out towards the drivers side.

[@xredjester8446]

i have choccy milk for coolant 😂

[@muttsnuts5849]

Aldi Subarus have shity head gaskets no doubt that conditioner is a sealer since you got to shake it

[@danielfliman3683]

Yep, as far as I know it’s the same thing as the holts radweld.

[@rosswoolley2854]

@@danielfliman3683 Correct.