Hi, I have had my 2009 1.6 petrol 6 weeks. It had an oil and filter change just before I bought it, I assumed everything else was checked.

just had a check of everything as was going up the motorway and am a little worried!

The orange coolant was about an inch under the max, the last 5 cars I have owned have all done this! fill em to the max then they vent off until just under the max! Do Focus do this too?

I went to buy some more coolant I got the orange pre mixed OAT stuff and half a litre took it to the max.

It took me both hands and a lot of effort to get the cap off, so maybe it has never been topped up?

It still has the original battery...

And the brake fluid is over the max (just) it had new pads and disk last year.

It has 38000 miles and had an oil change a thousand ago.

Would you book this in for a main dealer service?

I can't see a coolant leak by the way.

the level should be between minimum and max as it will expand when hot and go above the ma line so only fill it to the max

I topped it to just under the join seem, a little under the max

Coolant cap is usually hard to remove, possibly a safety feature to ensure any coolant is released slowly if you do try and remove it when coolant is still hot.

If system has run a bit low the level can settle down once the engine is run after you refill it.

Brake fluid would usually be a little under the max once you've got some wear on the new discs and pads. As the brake caliper pistons gradually move further outwards the level drops accordingly. In theory you'd eventually get a low fluid warning before the brake pads totally wear out.

Ah okay. I will just keeps my eye on coolant as I don't believe that there is a low warning light?

I wish I had checked coolant when I bought it, I saw the orange fluid in the tank and thought its just been checked.

Thanks for the help guys.

Think will be a low level warning for the coolant, I'm sure you can see the sensor poking out of the front left side of the tank as you look into the engine bay.

However it's always good practice to check coolant regularly so any leaks are picked up well before any expensive damage is caused.

Personally I would put any new car in for a full service. You know its been done properly then. At least change the oil for a good one yourself, cheap and easy and cant be done too much