What precaution should you take with hot coolant?

Waiting until the coolant cools before checking is crucial for safety and to prevent injury. Hot coolant can create a dangerous situation because the pressure built up in the cooling system can cause steam and hot liquid to escape suddenly when the radiator cap is removed. This can lead to severe burns. Allowing the system to cool down minimizes the risk of being injured by these hot fluids.

In addition, checking coolant levels when the engine is hot may give you an inaccurate reading. When the coolant is hot, it expands, which can lead to misjudgment about whether you need to add more coolant. Consequently, it is always safer and more effective to wait until the system has cooled down before proceeding with any checks or adjustments.