I know this is a very rudimentary question but what should the coolant level be in the recovery tank when the car is stone cold, like in the morning? Should it be at the max level, or in-between min and max? I know once the car is parked and cooling down, coolant leaves the recovery tank and goes back into the radiator. If for example the stone cold coolant level is at the max line, is it alright when the hot level is above max since the car has been driven and coolant has returned back into the recovery tank? I have an 02 4-cyl btw.

 

I would fill the overflow tank to the max line when stone cold. Then there will definitely be enough coolant to pull into the radiator as it cools.

When you check the overflow tank, check it when it is cold.

 

I'm with PaHonda ^^^.
Better to have a bit more than needed.

and when diluting stock anti-freeze, use distilled water ...
or buy the pre-diluted stuff

 

If it's at the max line when cold, it might rise too much when hot, and spill a little bit. Don't sweat it if that happens. If you are filling it after changing antifreeze, you might get some air worked out to the reservoir, which will then suck liquid back in resulting in lower level in reservoir. As much as you bleed air at the T-stat, there's usually a couple air bubbles still have to work out to the reservoir.