| |
Basic Antifreeze/Coolant Maintenance
by
Mike Florence & Rob Blumer
Tags
No tags are currently set for this article.
- Small coolant system leaks can be undetectable
- Check the coolant reservoir at every fill-up
- A weak radiator cap can cause a serious leak
- It’s safer to check a radiator when it’s cool
The cooling system of an automobile has numerous places where leaks can develop. Small leaks may be undetectable, happening only when the car is being driven. Large leaks can be disastrous. There are no guarantees that you can prevent all cooling system problems by a periodic check, but just like eating right and exercising, it improves the chances.
With Every Gas Fill-Up, Eyeball the Coolant Reservoir
When you fill up your gas tank, take a five-second glance at the coolant reservoir. Will it tell you everything you need to know about your cooling system? No, but noticing the varying level of the coolant will tell you that the system is circulating the vital fluid. If you take off the reservoir cap for a closer inspection, you will surely notice unusual changes in coolant color or condition.
No liquid in the reservoir may indicate a small leak that you could not have noticed otherwise. If the reservoir is dry, replenish the reservoir with the right mixture (the owner’s manual will tell you) and check the container daily for the next few days. Should the reservoir go dry again, you have a leak that needs attention. If you suspect a leak, don’t wait for your next oil change to do what follows, do it now.
With Every Oil Change, Look in the Radiator
If everything seems to be fine with the cooling system, and the coolant reservoir level fluctuates but never remains dry for even a whole day, twist off the radiator cap or request that your mechanic do it when you change the oil, every 3,000 miles or every three months, whichever comes first.
Checking only the reservoir, that sight check conducted with every fill-up, can be deceptive. It is possible to have a full reservoir and still be losing coolant. If the radiator cap has grown weak, unable to contain the amount of pressure for which it was designed, coolant may be leaking from the system, but the system lacks the ability to draw from its reserve tank. Periodic checks of the radiator itself are a must.
|
|
|