Early Access has a coolant container

Do not assume the game only has drinking water. An October 29 Early Access walkthrough shows a dedicated coolant container and an empty Radiator I in the transfer interface.[2] Older June–July Demo replies say water worked for their task; that is useful historical evidence, not a complete description of the released version.[1]

Check the transfer, not just the container

  1. Find the installed radiator. Confirm its label rather than aiming at the fuel tank or engine. If the slot is empty, install the radiator first.
  2. Hold the coolant container and target the radiator. Read both names in the transfer display.
  3. Check the direction. Fluid must move from the container into the radiator. The cited walkthrough shows E for transfer; follow the key shown in your build if you have changed bindings.
  4. Transfer and inspect again. The radiator’s displayed liquid volume should rise and the container’s should fall. Stop if the movement is reversed or your character starts drinking.
  5. Check the radiator reading before driving. A completed task and an engine that starts do not, by themselves, show how much fluid is available.

The walkthrough describes a 6 L Radiator I; its capture displays the equivalent capacity as about 1.59 gallons. Check your HUD’s units and your own component’s capacity rather than applying one figure to every radiator.[2]

If the container fills instead

Stop the transfer and check the arrow. An Early Access repair account describes accidentally taking liquid out of the radiator; it also distinguishes restoring radiator liquid from repairing an already damaged engine.[3] Repeating the wrong transfer will not fix overheating.

Do not use “the engine started” as the whole check

One participant said they drove without coolant, while another warned about eventual engine damage. That exchange does not measure a safe driving time.[1] Separately, the developer’s June update says engine heating and radiator cooling were reworked so overheating occurs under real conditions.[4]

Check the task and vehicle feedback rather than assuming an engine that starts is fully prepared. If the coolant task is complete but ignition fails, use the no-start diagnosis.