Summer Car Care: Coolant and Radiator

Summer weather is hot, but your vehicle still gets even hotter. The amount of heat produced under your hood during the summer is enough to fry an egg! Therefore, it is paramount to check your cooling system to make sure your vehicle can keep pushing through the hot summer without stopping. Next up on our Summer Car Care Series list: coolant and radiator.

 

Your engine is designed to run hot. But, if it gets too hot, the moving parts, gaskets, and metals in your engine start to warp and melt together. This leads to expensive repair bills at the mechanic. Your vehicle’s cooling system prevents your engine from overheating, which also keeps your vehicle out of the mechanic’s shop.

The excess heat of summer places extra strain on your vehicle’s engine and cooling system. Your cooling system is made up of a series of hoses, pumps, thermostats, and fans. Any small problem in the system will cause your engine to overheat. It is imperative that you check your hoses for cracks and wear, check for loose or cracked belts, and check your coolant level to make sure it’s filled to the proper level. Make sure to stay on top of maintenance to make sure you stay on the road and not broken down on the side of the road.

As a general rule of thumb, it is also important to flush your radiator every two years and fill your radiator back up with fresh coolant. Coolant should be a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water.

Utah Jiffy Lube is also here to help your vehicle stay cool. We check your vehicle’s belts and hoses as part of the Jiffy Lube Signature Service Oil Change. Utah Jiffy Lube also offers the Radiator Antifreeze/Coolant Service to keep your vehicle running cool.

Photo Credit: "wbaiv"