Antifreeze is a crucial part of any combustion engine's cooling process. Antifreeze protects the engine block, hoses and other components from damage in freezing weather and keeps the engine from overheating in hot weather or under extreme driving conditions. Antifreeze can break down over time and fail to protect your engine as it should. This can cause significant engine damage. You can change the antifreeze in a 2006 Hyundai Sonata yourself in about a hour or so.
Place the ramps in front of the car so that you can drive the car straight up on the ramps. Slowly drive the car up on the ramps and set the emergency brake. Turn the car off and pop the hood. Then get out and make sure the car is securely on the ramps.
Put the wheel chocks behind each rear wheel to keep the car from rolling off the ramps.
Remove the negative battery cable from the battery to ensure the radiator fan will not automatically come on while you are working.
Let the engine completely cool down, then slowly remove the radiator cap and set it to the side. Removing the radiator cap will allow the antifreeze to drain out of the radiator faster.
Slide under the front passenger side of the engine bay and start removing the plastic radiator shield. You can use a ratchet and a 10mm socket to remove most of the fasteners. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the last fastener from the shield. Set the plastic shield aside.
Locate the radiator drain plug on the lower left-hand side of the radiator. The radiator plug is a white plug with a turn handle on it. Loosen the white radiator plug with a pair of pliers by turning the plug counterclockwise.
Put a catch pan underneath the radiator drain plug and finish removing the plug. Let the antifreeze drain into the pan until the radiator is empty.
Replace the plug in the bottom of the radiator and tighten it securely.
Drain the antifreeze from the plastic antifreeze overflow reservoir that is mounted on the left hand side of the top of the engine bay. Remove the three fasteners that are holding the reservoir onto the frame, using a ratchet and a 10mm socket.
Remove the plastic reservoir from the frame of the car and pour the antifreeze into the catch pan. Reinstall the reservoir back on the side of the frame.
Back the car off of the ramps so that the car is back on a level surface.
Fill the radiator with antifreeze. Put the negative battery cable back on the battery and tighten. Drive the car long enough that the engine becomes hot enough to open the thermostat, then fill the radiator again while the thermostat is open to ensure it is completely filled.
