WHAT IS COOLANT?

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a half-and-half mixture of a form of glycol and water. The glycol guarantees that the fluid does not turn into ice under harsh winter conditions, as well as prevents the coolant from reaching the boiling point in extreme heat. Coolant is a green or red fluid found in your radiator. Coolant serves the purpose of keeping the engine temperatures stable under all climate conditions. Coolant contains additional additives that prevent rust and corrosion in the radiator helping to prolong the engine’s components. Not only does coolant regulate the temperature of the vehicle, but it also lubricates the moving parts it comes in contact with.

HOW CAR COOLING SYSTEMS WORK

The cooling system on vehicles circulates fluid through pipes and passageways in the engine. As the liquid passes through the hot engine it absorbs heat, which cools the engine. When the fluid leaves the engine it passes through the radiator, which transfers the heat from the liquid into the air by blowing it through the exchanger. The water pump helps by sending the fluid to the outside of the compartment. The fluid leaving the pump flows through the engine block into the radiator and back into the pump, cooling the engine in the process. 

WHAT ARE SIGNS OF LOW COOLANT

Coolant is an important element of your vehicle. When a car runs low on coolant, problems with your engine start to occur. Often times signs of low coolant can go unnoticed. However, when levels get low enough, the car will begin to exhibit signs that should prompt you to get your vehicle looked at. One of the most common signs of low coolant is a sweet odor that may come into the vehicle. If this happens, have the floorboard beneath the carpet on the passenger side of the vehicle checked for dampness. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. You will quickly be alerted if the engine begins to run too hot.  Steam originating from under the hood is also not a good sign. This can be symptomatic of low coolant and an overheating engine. Low coolant in a car engine typically causes the heat in your vehicle to quit functioning. By having our technicians examine the heater core, we can discover if any leaks are present. Lastly, if there is a greasy type of film on the interior of the windows, this can depict problems with your coolant, not just that your windshield is dirty. 

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE’S COOLING SYSTEM

The cooling system is the core of the engine. It should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis to keep all the components running optimally and extend the life of the parts. In order to maintain your vehicle’s cooling system, you should have the radiator flushed. This prevents engine deposits and debris from gathering inside the radiator, which leads to overheating. You should inspect the radiator hoses for leaks, because when leaks occur the hoses becomes brittle and cracks, causing the vehicle to overheat. Similarly, check the water pump periodically for water stains on the pump housing or looseness in the shaft pulley. Water pumps can develop cracks in the seals or the bearings can go bad causing problems under the hood. Ignoring these signs of your car’s cooling system going bad can lead to damaging problems. It is important to stay on top of maintenance to reduce problems before they develop.