Coolant change questions

[Average Jazz enjoyer]

Hello Jazz enjoyers, this is my first post. I Recently brought my first car a 2013 Honda Jazz left hand drive model (EU). So far, I have been enjoying the car, I’ve done some work to the car already, stuff like an Oil change + all filters, Gearbox Oil change, rear tailgate handle change, and some other small stuff.
Now I would like to change the coolant, as the car has crossed over 10 years, and the owner’s manual requires you to change it at that interval or at a certain number of kilometres. Therefore, I’ve been looking at the procedure to do so, this will be my first time changing coolant, so I’ve looked at the YouTube videos that I could find changing coolant (on the same model car), as well as consulting the Honda Jazz workshop manual.

https://hondafitjazz.com/manual3/en/html_en/000000000001726.html
 
However, after all this research I still am uncertain regarding a few things, so I have a few questions that I hope you guys on the forum can help me with.
Question 1: In the manual (see the link) it says at point 5 that a drain bolt on the engine needs to be removed to drain coolant from the block. My question is if the drain bolt removal is necessary. As I’m not going for a full coolant system flush, because as far as I have understood the owner’s manual only mandates a coolant change, unless I have misunderstood the meaning of a coolant change.

Question 2: In the manual at point 9, is says that you should start filling the coolant reservoir with coolant. My question is (A) I thought that it was a coolant overflow tank of some sort, as someone on YouTube referred to it as one, so can someone confirm weather or not this is true. (B) if it turns out to be a reservoir, is it bad that my reservoir is completely dry? I know it’s a stupid question but the car runs fine and there is coolant in the radiator.

Question 3: Following the workshop manuals way of bleeding of air bubbles, how do I know if I have done the bleeding procedure right? As I have been using the car regularly since purchase, my worst nightmare is having the car overheat due to an airlock after changing coolant: There isn’t any temp gauge for me to monitor. So, would you guys recommend picking up some sort of OBD2 scanner to keep an eye on temps’ post coolant change?

That is it for now, I hope guys on the forum will be able to understand my questions.
Best regards Jazz enjoyer.

[GSX600FMAN]

Search this on Google Chrome,
 how to drain honda jazz coolant
You’ll see instructions and link to a YouTube video on a similar Honda.
When I remove the reserve/expansion tank clean out and debris or residue.

[Lord Voltermore]

I have never changed  the coolant on a Jazz but a few general observations.  Sorry if its all a bit vague.

Always follow instructions that apply specifically to the car.  Its best to think of the filling bottle as an integral part of the system rather than simply an 'overflow' bottle.  The 'correct' level on the bottle  when cold may indeed be quite low,  but systems often draw  some coolant back from  the bottle when it needs it ,not just overflowing any excess into it.  It depends on changes in  coolant  temperature.  .   It may not be true in this  case but I believe Honda sometimes use a slightly different cooling system  more commonly found on liquid cooled motorcycles than on cars which may control coolant levels slightly differently ,so another reason to follow instructions specifically for your model of Jazz.

Instructions  sometimes include things  that may not seem  important but may be important  to reduce the chances of air locks.  The plug on the engine block may come into this category.  Some cars recommend refilling the system very slowly  (just dribbling it in) as rapid filling can increase the chance of airlocks  (just like gulping food and drink  )

I dont know about the Jazz but some cars  have a 'hidden menu' where ,by pressing a certain sequence of buttons , coolant temperature can be displayed on the Radio display.  You might find something on line.  But a usb code reader may be a useful investment anyway.

[Westy36]

I changed the coolant recently on my Jazz. Way overdue on mileage at 145k, but only 11yrs old.

The coolant overflow as I understand it, is just that. I simply followed whatever the manual said and found it easy to do. However, and not for the want of looking at great lengt, I could not find the drain at the back of the engine. I therefore only did a majority change I suppose, but it's better than none! I'll do another in a year or 2, and then the car will have all fresh coolant.

I followed the bleeding system as per manual. It took a while for the coolant fan to cut in, but all was well. Importantly, no gurgling sounds, so the system had bled properly and produces lots of heat.

The only thing I bought was a new O-ring for the drain plug. £2.50 from my local Honda dealer, but given the original had been a long way, I consider it to be worthwhile changing for peace of mind.

[Average Jazz enjoyer]

Great, thanks for the replies, i will look at doing a coolant change soon then. I think i might go down to the dealer, and get it from them. Last time I was there I asked if it was possible to get some coolant. They said that they keep the coolant in massive 100L drums, but that i could buy some if i came with my own bottle. So i think ill do that, instead of buying online and waiting for shipping.

[Westy36]

I think i might go down to the dealer, and get it from them. Last time I was there I asked if it was possible to get some coolant. They said that they keep the coolant in massive 100L drums, but that i could buy some if i came with my own bottle.

That's very accomodating by the dealer, excellent. Is that standard Danish dealer practice? You'd not get that in the UK. They'd only sell you a retail pack and charge plenty for it too. Main Stealers is a title well earned in my experience. 

[Average Jazz enjoyer]

When I first brought my Jazz, I went to dealer that was part of a massive Danish car chain, and my experience with them was rather middling, thankfully I didn’t end up buying any parts or oils from them. On the other hand, the dealer that I go to now I believe is family owned. I have multiple times now heckled their spare parts department, coming in with lots of part numbers and online prices on my Ipad. Usually, the dealer can do the it cheaper than online, which is nice. They have fast shipping too, and its free (I don’t know if that’s standard). 
As an example, they sold me some gearbox oil last time I was there, 2 litres of MTF-3 for 240DKK or 26.69 Pounds. The cheapest 2 litres MTF-3 I could find online at a European shop was 40 Euro or 33 pounds, and the cheapest I could find on a UK website was Cox motor parts or Tegwia at about 30 Pounds. With that said I spent about 43 pounds on 15 various clips and fasteners once, which was I thought pretty expensive, considering I could have brought many more from Ebay for cheaper (OE quality not guaranteed though).
By now I know their one guy and girl sitting in the spare parts department pretty well, so that might be the reason why they let me take some of their coolant directly, as I think I’ve been there about 7-8 times now in the past few months for various bits and bobs. 
If you are wondering this isn’t a paid ad or anything from them, even if it might sound like that. They just are some good people at that dealer who value the customer, either that or I’ve just been lucky.

[paulhipw]

Did you change the coolant? If so how did you get on with the work?

Are you still enjoying your Jazz?