Distilled water or coolant for topping off?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
B

Brad_Vickers

New member
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Massachusetts
Hey everyone, I just noticed that my Kia Niro (2021) coolant level (not the inverter one) is at the minimum line. I’ve been reading mixed advice, some say distilled water is fine for topping up, while others insist on using coolant only.

If I use distilled water, could it cause any long-term issues? And if I need to top up again later, should I stick with the same method or switch to coolant?
 
Brad_Vickers said:
Hey everyone, I just noticed that my Kia Niro (2021) coolant level (not the inverter one) is at the minimum line. I’ve been reading mixed advice, some say distilled water is fine for topping up, while others insist on using coolant only.

If I use distilled water, could it cause any long-term issues? And if I need to top up again later, should I stick with the same method or switch to coolant?
Click to expand...

Whatever you do, don't use water! Call your dealer and ask them what kind of fluid you need. I'm pretty sure it's a special kind that doesn't have any water in it.
 
Brad_Vickers said:
Hey everyone, I just noticed that my Kia Niro (2021) coolant level (not the inverter one) is at the minimum line. I’ve been reading mixed advice, some say distilled water is fine for topping up, while others insist on using coolant only.

If I use distilled water, could it cause any long-term issues? And if I need to top up again later, should I stick with the same method or switch to coolant?
Click to expand...
Distilled water will just be alright for temporary top-ups. That's what I use on my previous cars.
 
Best to use the proper coolant for topping up, not just distilled water. Using water may cause corrosion over time. I stick with coolant to keep things running smoothly if I top up again later
 
Exactly! I learned that the hard way. Water might seem fine in the moment, but it'll bite you later. Coolant's the only way to go. Better safe than sorry!
 

Similar threads

H
Same coolant for engine & inverter?
Replies
3
Views
996
HendryHill
H

Join the KIA Niro Community

Support, tutorials, and a friendly community

Register Sign in

Latest posts

Back
Top