need some help so I don't look like an idiot...

mcast

mcast

mcast

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My girlfriend has a kia hatchback 1.0 2010 5dr, she asked me to buy some antifreeze for the windscreen washers and put it in the car.

The problem is, I told her I would do it and it was easy. The thing is I don't know a damn thing about cars and don't want to look stupid getting the manual out in front of her.

I can't find a picture of the engine bay on google, anyone able to help? I don't even know what antifreeze to buy and how much you put in.

Yes indeed, I fail at cars.
 
Errr why ar you putting Anti Freeze in the windscreen washer?

You need Windscreen Washer fluid, go to Asda or Halfords or somewhere and pay £2 or whatever it is for some Windscreen Washer.
 
What Kia is it? You need screenwash for the washers, antifreeze generally refers to the coolant. I think you'd look less stupid getting the manual out as opposed to taking pictures of the engine bay hoping for someone to tell you where it is.

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Look for something that looks like the above, generally it will have a windscreen symbol on it.
 
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Janesy B said:
What Kia is it? You need screenwash for the washers, antifreeze generally refers to the coolant.
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Judging by pictures it's the picanto, 2010 model.

So I assume windscreen wash has some kind of antifreeze? the main problem is the nozzles/wash freezing so she can't see out the window.
 
any antifreeze is fine really... Antifreeze is antifreeze. Some of them come pre-diluted, and some come concentrated. The concentrated ones will have diluting instructions but there is not really a right or wrong here.

Also, if as you say you know nothing then don't worry about looking in the manual, better to get it right than get it wrong for the sake of looking cool. Contrary to popular male belief it is OK to read instructions!... lol.

For what it is worth, the antifreeze 'container' is usually at the back of the engine on one side and contains green liquid... Good luck

Edit: didnt read you said you were putting it in the windscreen washers... buy some washer fluid! The less you dilute it the more freeze resistant it will be, but just read the instructions on whatever you buy
 
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mcast said:
So I assume windscreen wash has some kind of antifreeze? the main problem is the nozzles/wash freezing so she can't see out the window.
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It does but if you ask for antifreeze generally you'll end up with a bottle of engine coolant and that won't do much for visibility.
 
BluSky said:
any antifreeze is fine really... Antifreeze is antifreeze. Some of them come pre-diluted, and some come concentrated. The concentrated ones will have diluting instructions but there is not really a right or wrong here.

Also, if as you say you know nothing then don't worry about looking in the manual, better to get it right than get it wrong for the sake of looking cool. Contrary to popular male belief it is OK to read instructions!... lol.

For what it is worth, the antifreeze 'container' is usually at the back of the engine on one side and contains green liquid... Good luck

Edit: didnt read you said you were putting it in the windscreen washers... buy some washer fluid! The less you dilute it the more freeze resistant it will be, but just read the instructions on whatever you buy
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Except he wants screenwash and it is yellow and usually at the front :)
 
mcast said:
Judging by pictures it's the picanto, 2010 model.

So I assume windscreen wash has some kind of antifreeze? the main problem is the nozzles/wash freezing so she can't see out the window.
Click to expand...

nozzles freezing wont be solved by any amount of antifreeze... that is just a sad fact of winter we have to deal with ;). The wash itself is pretty freeze resistant and shouldnt ever be frozen
 
Dr Who said:
Except he wants screenwash and it is yellow and usually at the front :)
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Front / back is relative depending on which direction you are looking at the car from in your mind. And I have never been any good at telling the difference between yellow and green lol, it still stands out either way :p
 
Dr Who said:
The mind boggles :p
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To explain, I always consider the 'back' to be the part that is furthest away from me. Thus if I am facing the same direction as the car, the engine layout... in my mind anyway... is the opposite of if I was standing facing opposite the car... lol. Just the way my mind works. I agree that the layout doesn't 'actually' change at all technically, it is just the way I think of it personally
 
mcast said:
My girlfriend has a kia hatchback 1.0 2010 5dr, she asked me to buy some antifreeze for the windscreen washers and put it in the car.

The problem is, I told her I would do it and it was easy. The thing is I don't know a damn thing about cars and don't want to look stupid getting the manual out in front of her.

I can't find a picture of the engine bay on google, anyone able to help? I don't even know what antifreeze to buy and how much you put in.

Yes indeed, I fail at cars.
Click to expand...

"need some help so I don't look like an idiot... "

Too late :p
 
Generally the things that you can top up i.e. oil or washer bottler are coloured red or yellow or a colour that makes them stand out.
 
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