The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that cooling system failure is the leading cause of mechanical breakdowns on the highway.
Engines need coolant because it helps prevent overheating during hot, summer months. It also keeps the engine from freezing during cold, winter months. Coolant also lubricates the motor’s moving parts that it comes in contact with, and it helps keep your cooling system from rusting.
A vehicle’s radiator is usually filled with a mixture of equal parts of water and coolant. This mixture moves through the engine via a water pump. When the water goes through the engine, it absorbs excess heat and carries it to your vehicle’s radiator where heat is dispelled through a process of heat exchange. When the water is cooled, it is sent through the system again.
Without coolant, the heat that the engine produces through constant internal combustion would damage your engine quickly. First, your engine heats up, the head gasket breaks, the head cylinder may crack and eventually the engine will stop. In the same way, during winter, if the coolant freezes, it will expand, and this will damage the engine block. Furthermore, if the coolant runs low, corrosion will set in.
What can you do to make sure that your engine does not break down? You need to check your cooling system. A good rule of thumb is to change the coolant every 30,000 miles or as instructed by the coolant manufacturer. You also need to make sure that the radiator, water pump, and thermostat are in good condition. Check for rust as this can make the heat exchanger fail to function properly and this can lead to engine breakdown.
There are cases, however, when some vehicle owners forget to check their car’s cooling system. There are some important things that you should remember:
1. In case your car overheats, do not open the caps immediately. Doing so may eject hot coolant that may burn you.
2. Do not add coolant to a hot engine. This may crack your engine block and may burn your skin.
3. If your car overheats at a place far from a gas station or auto repair shop, you can add some water. Take note, however, that this can be done in emergency cases only. A 50/50 mix of water and coolant is needed for the engine’s protection from corrosion.
4. If the coolant looks dirty, you have to flush your cooling system and add new coolant.
5. If the coolant looks oily, this usually means there is a leak in the head gasket.
The best way to ensure that your vehicle’s cooling system is in good working order, however, is to bring it to the best auto repair shop in Texas, Dallas European Auto.
At Dallas European Auto, we have highly trained, expert technicians who can help car owners identify and solve problems related to their vehicle’s cooling and heating system. At the same time, we can assist you with maintenance and other repair services your vehicle may need.
