All You Need to Know About Engine Coolant

Coolant, also widely known as antifreeze, is an essential component to your engine system. Read our latest blog to learn more!

 It usually consists of a 50/50 ratio of ethylene, or propylene glycol, and water that absorbs heat from the engine and disperses it through the radiator. Additionally, the heat is distributed through the heat exchanger in the passenger compartment when you crank up the heat. 

Signs your system needs service. In order to avoid major engine problems, we would recommend checking your coolant levels regularly. This would minimize the number of signs that may arise. However, you should be aware of some signs that your coolant system is in need of servicing:

• Steam coming from the motor
• Check engine light is on
• Temperature gauge indicates vehicle is running hotter than normal
• Signs of fluid leakage or loss

Coolant check. The coolant reservoir is located under the front hood of your vehicle. It is a transparent tank that has a min/max line located on it. You should periodically check your coolant level by observing the amount that is in the tank. If you notice that it is low, go ahead and fill it up to the max. Engines that are running on very low coolant or none at all can overheat in minutes. This could cause irrevocable damage to your vehicle. 

Coolant flush. As you continue to drive your vehicle, deposits of rust and particles can gather in your cooling system. If left in your cooling system for a prolonged amount of time, your cooling system’s rust inhibitors could stop working and lead to your engine overheating. The best way to address this would be to get a coolant flush to remove the deposits. 

Coolant leak. Depending on the severity of the leak, the leak could be coming from the radiator or a faulty hose. Repairs for a coolant leak can $50 to over $400. Don’t neglect a repair because the longer the leak occurs, the more damage to your engine.

If you need help keeping up with your coolant levels for possible repairs or flushes, do let us know. We’d be happy to help!