Speaking of the radiator, this part does the job of cooling the coolant through airflow. Keeping the coolant clean is a vital part of making sure the
radiator stays clear and unobstructed. Anyone who has had a thermostat go bad in their vehicle quickly learns how important this component is. It is responsible for controlling the flow of the coolant into the engine. Malfunction of the
thermostat is the primary reason that engines overheat.
It is a common occurrence for the hoses of the cooling system to be forgotten. They are a necessary part of cooling. If they are dry rotted or damaged, they can’t perform their function of delivering coolant between the radiator and engine. Replacing these is a quick fix that can make all the difference in the world. Finally, the cooling system is complete with the coolant itself. It is typically a mixture of water and ethylene alcohol. Check with your owner’s manual to find out how often the coolant should be changed. Obviously it is less effective when dirty or old.
The standard suggestion is to
change the coolant every 2-3 years. It is also a good idea to have the cooling system professionally flushed once every 5 years to maintain the working order of the system. Corrosion in the cooling system is damaging to your vehicle and does nothing to help with rising gas costs. In this case, the best offense is good preventative car maintenance.
