Maintaining Your Coolant System

The coolant system ensures your car's engine doesn't overheat and runs at the operating temperature set by your car's manufacturer. It's a fact that an engine that operates at a temperature over or under the temperature it's meant to run at is far less fuel efficient. It can also lead to internal engine parts wearing out.

The coolant systems ensures that your engine reaching optimum operating temperature as quickly as possible. The means the oil that lubricates your engine warms up and flows to all the parts. Your coolant system also provides warm air inside the car and demists your windows when it's cold or raining.

The same system does quite the opposite during hot weather. It keeps your engine from overheating by pumping air that's been cooled by the radiator around your engine. The coolant system uses water, but importantly must also contain a coolant additive. The coolant makes the water much thinner, this means that in the winter it doesn't freeze, which if it did it would rupture water pipes, burst the radiator and crack the engine block. In the summer, because the coolant is thinner than water, it can flow around the system quicker, meaning more water gets cooled by the radiator.

You probably take your coolant system for granted and maybe you occasionally top up the radiator overflow reservoir. However, you do need to keep your coolant system in good condition. This means replacing the fluid every year or so and flushing out the whole system to remove the build up of debris, which can cause blockages.

Before you flush the coolant system, make certain the engine is completely cool; pressure builds up when the engine is hot and if you remove the radiator filler cap when it's hot high pressure steam will be released.

Firstly remove the radiator filler cap and then locate the radiator drain plug. You car's manual will tell you where it's located, but it is usually at the base of the radiator. Place a container under the drain plug and then loosen the drain plug and remove it, so all the fluid runs out.

Once the system is empty, tighten the drain plug. Put radiator flushing solution into the radiator and top up with water. Turn on the engine and let it get to operating temperature. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool; it will take an hour or so. Drain the flushing solution and then replace the drain plug and tighten securely.

Mix coolant with water; follow the instructions on the coolant bottle to get the right mix. Pout the coolant into the radiator until up to the maximum mark. Don't replace the radiator cap, instead turn on the engine and let it idle for a couple of minutes. The coolant will flow around the system and air will rise from the open radiator. You see the level drop as this happens so keep topping it up with fluid until it stabilizes.

Once the fluid stays at the same level, replace the cap and the coolant system will pressurize and ensure the engine runs at the correct temperature.

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By Lawrence Reaves