How often to check Hyundai engine coolant

The 2027 Palisade owner's manual says the high pressure cooling system has a reservoir filled with year-round antifreeze coolant. Its owner maintenance schedule asks you, or an authorized Hyundai dealer, to:

• Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir at least monthly.
• Check the radiator, heater and air conditioning hoses for leaks or damage at least twice a year.

The Engine Coolant section adds: check the antifreeze protection and coolant level at least once a year, before the winter season or before traveling to a colder climate. It also says to check the condition and connections of all cooling system hoses and heater hoses, and to replace any swollen or deteriorated hoses.

How to check the coolant level

These steps follow the Engine Coolant section of the 2027 Palisade owner's manual:

1. Turn off the engine and let it cool. The coolant level is influenced by the engine temperature, so check it only when the engine is cool.
2. Open the hood and find the engine coolant reservoir. The manual's engine compartment diagram lists it as item 1.
3. Look at the marks on the side of the reservoir. With the engine cool, the level should be between the MAX and MIN marks.
4. If the level is low, add enough distilled (deionized) water mixed with antifreeze to bring it to the MAX mark.
5. Make sure the coolant cap is properly closed afterward. The manual says to check that the cap label is straight in front and the tiny protrusions inside the cap are securely interlocked; otherwise the engine may overheat while driving.

If you need to add coolant often, the manual says to have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealer for a cooling system inspection.

Never open a hot cooling system

The manual's warnings are direct: never remove the engine coolant reservoir cap, radiator cap or drain plug while the engine and radiator are hot. Hot coolant and steam may blow out under pressure and cause serious injury.

Once the engine has cooled, it says to wrap a thick towel around the cap and turn it counterclockwise slowly to the first stop, then step back while the pressure is released. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, press down on the cap with the towel and keep turning counterclockwise to remove it. A thick towel around the reservoir cap also keeps coolant from overflowing onto engine parts such as the alternator while you refill.

Which coolant and what mix

Mixture percentage by volume, from the Recommended coolant part of the 2027 Palisade owner's manual, text saved October 26, 2026; PDF link checked November 8, 2026.

The manual says the engine has aluminum parts and must be protected by a phosphate-based ethylene glycol coolant to prevent corrosion and freezing. Use only deionized, distilled or soft water, and never mix hard water into the coolant filled at the factory. Do not use alcohol or methanol coolant or mix them with the specified coolant, and do not use a solution with more than 60% or less than 35% antifreeze. If you are unsure, a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze is suitable for most temperature ranges of -31 °F (-35 °C) and higher.

When to change Hyundai coolant

From the scheduled maintenance table and Engine Coolant section of the 2027 Palisade owner's manual, text saved October 26, 2026; PDF link checked November 8, 2026. Intervals differ by model, so check the schedule for your vehicle.

If the engine overheats

The coolant temperature gauge shows the engine coolant temperature with the ignition on. If the pointer moves beyond the normal range toward H (Hot), the manual says it indicates overheating that may damage the engine, and an Engine overheated message appears when coolant temperature is above about 248 °F (120 °C). The manual's steps:

1. Pull off the road and stop as soon as it is safe. Shift to P (Park), apply the parking brake and turn off the air conditioning if it is on.
2. If coolant is running out under the vehicle or steam is coming from the hood, stop the engine and do not open the hood until the coolant has stopped running or the steaming has stopped. If there is no visible coolant loss and no steam, leave the engine running and check that the cooling fan is operating; if the fan is not running, turn off the engine.
3. Check for coolant leaking from the radiator, hoses or under the vehicle. If coolant is leaking, stop the engine immediately and call the nearest authorized Hyundai dealer for assistance.
4. If you cannot find the cause, wait until the engine temperature returns to normal. If coolant has been lost, carefully add coolant to bring the reservoir up to the halfway mark, and proceed with caution.

If overheating happens again, the manual says to contact an authorized Hyundai dealer. It adds that a serious loss of coolant indicates a leak in the cooling system, and that suddenly adding coolant to an engine overheated from low coolant may cause cracks in the engine, so add it slowly in small quantities.

Good to know

A few more points from the same manual:

Michigan City Hyundai service hours

From Michigan City Hyundai's website, November 8, 2026. The website lists Monday to Saturday service hours and none for Sunday. Holiday hours can differ.