Not many people pay attention to a car’s coolant system; most just add some water if to their coolant tank when it gets low. Frankly, you may want to pay closer attention to this part of your car, though. Especially if it is an old vehicle, there is definitely some maintenance involved that could save you some money later on. Before we get into the maintenance component, though, let’s look at what the coolant system in your car actually does.

The main job of a cooling system is to remove the excess heat created as your engine operates. As a result of burning gasoline, an engine’s coolant temperature can heat up to 200 degrees, and that energy has to get rid of itself somewhere! That is when your radiator and engine coolant begin working. The coolant absorbs engine heat and transfers it to the radiator where it’s sent into the outside air.

As a car owner, you should know that a big factor that affects the reliability of your cooling system is the frequency of maintenance it receives -such as coolant changes and checks of belts and hoses. Motorists should check out their owner’s manual for specific recommendations about how often to check hoses, belts and coolant system flushing. But what is a coolant flush? It is a technique where the old coolant in the engine is flushed out and removes the dirt and sediment that has built up over the years.

Checking Your Car’s Coolant Level

The coolant systems in today’s cars are reliable and only need periodic maintenance. If you attend to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and perform a visual inspection periodically, your car’s coolant system should last for many years. If you drive then you should know how to check the coolant level in your car. It needs to be regularly checked at the reservoir and there are indicator lines that will show you the level it should be at. If you’re unfamiliar with what your vehicle’s coolant reservoir looks like, and how indicator level lines work, look in your owner’s manual.

If the reservoir’s coolant level is low, a 50/50 mix of water and approved antifreeze should be added. According to the service manager at East Hills Subaru, a full-service car dealer in Greenvale, NY, when the coolant level is checked, you should do a visual inspection of hoses, belts for age-related cracks, and your radiator for any coolant leaks.

Things to Look Out For

Drivers should be aware of signs of trouble, particularly with older vehicles. Obvious signs of cooling system problems are the vehicle’s temperature gauge on the dash rising close to the danger zone. If the temperature gauge does rise into the red zone, you may be almost certain that you have a cooling system issue of some kind. If see leakage of a green fluid inside your vehicle, under the hood, or on the ground under your vehicle, you likely have a coolant leak and should consult a mechanic too.