Autocar India
NK

Naveen Kumar g

7w

Can I add water and coolant separately, such as water in the radiator and coolant in the coolant reservoir?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
7w

No, do not add water to the radiator and coolant in the bottle separately. The radiator and the coolant bottle are part of the same closed system, so they mix anyway. You should use the same mix in both places, as per your owner’s manual - most cars need a 50:50 mix of coolant and distilled water. The easiest way is to buy premixed coolant and top up only with that.

Many newer cars don’t want you to open the radiator at all; you top up only in the coolant bottle to the MAX line when the engine is cold. Check your manual.

If you must top up in a pinch, use clean distilled water, but if you can only use tap water, use only enough to get you home. Then get the system drained and refilled with the correct mix soon after. 

If the level keeps dropping, there is likely a leak or a weak cap - get it checked. When you buy coolant, stick to the type your car brand recommends.

NK

Naveen Kumar g

7w

Thanks a lot for giving such a valuable response

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More questions on similar cars

VK

Venkatesh K

19h

Can you please suggest which car is best, Toyota Glanza/Taisor or Maruti Baleno/fronx? I am a first-time buyer. My budget is 10L+. I am preferring Automatic drive. Please suggest from the above list, or mention the cars not in the list, also welcome.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
12h

For a first-time buyer looking for an automatic in your budget, we would actually pick the Maruti Fronx AMT from your shortlist. It gives you the raised seating position and SUV-like feel that many first-time buyers appreciate, while still being easy to drive, fuel-efficient and inexpensive to maintain. It also feels a bit more special than the Baleno and Glanza.The Baleno AMT and Toyota Glanza AMT are mechanically identical, and if rear seat comfort, ride quality and value for money are your priorities, they remain excellent choices. Between the two, we would lean towards the Glanza because Toyota's warranty packages and ownership experience can be an advantage.The Toyota Taisor is essentially a Fronx underneath, so the choice between the two often comes down to styling preference, dealership experience and the offers available in your city.One car not on your list that is definitely worth considering is the Honda Amaze CVT. The CVT gearbox is smoother than the AMTs in the Maruti and Toyota models. The car is comfortable, reliable and easy to own long term. If you do not specifically need the SUV stance, it is arguably the most refined automatic you can buy around this budget.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleToyota Glanza
VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Taisor
VehicleHonda Amaze

Popular discussions right now

SA

Sandeep

2d

I want to buy a car under Rs 12 lakh. It should be a petrol automatic and will be my first car. I need good ground clearance, a good engine and gearbox combination for 70% city and 30% highway use, and my daily running is around 30 km in Bengaluru traffic. Comfort, space, decent fuel efficiency, ease of driving, and long-term ownership are important to me. I do not want a Fronx, Baleno, i20, Exter, Punch, or Nexon. Please suggest a value-for-money option. Thank you.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

Given your exclusions, the Skoda Kylaq automatic would be our first recommendation. Specifically, the Signature automatic is if you can stretch slightly. The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol and torque converter automatic are a very good combination for Bangalore traffic. The gearbox is smooth, the engine has enough punch for highway overtakes, and the car feels more premium and substantial than most options in this price range. Ground clearance is good, it is easy to drive, and it has the solid feel that many first-time buyers appreciate.Another strong option is the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. It has a wider rear seat, feels bigger inside and is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment. The torque converter automatic is smooth, and it is comfortable for city use. The downside is that fuel efficiency is not that great, and the boot is on the smaller side.If you are willing to consider a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT is also worth a look. The CVT is exceptionally smooth in traffic, reliability is excellent, and it is the kind of car you can comfortably keep for a decade. The only reason it is not our primary recommendation is that you specifically mentioned wanting good ground clearance.

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VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleHonda Amaze

Posted on: 12 Apr 2026