October 13, 2023
As winter approaches, worrying about your cooling system might seem redundant, but there are important reasons to service your cooling system before the temperature drops that you might want to consider.
Your vehicle’s cooling system plays a vital role in preventing engine overheating. However, it’s a common misconception that the cold winter weather ensures your engine stays cool.
Suppose your coolant (antifreeze) mixture ratio is incorrect. In most climates, a mix of 50:50 (50% antifreeze and 50% water) usually works. But, if the temperature is drastically low, you might want to increase the ratio of antifreeze to water.
If there are any underlying issues with your cooling system, your engine will struggle to maintain the correct temperature, which puts you at risk of your engine overheating or freezing.
Maintaining optimal engine temperatures ensures fuel efficiency and performance. Otherwise, you could experience decreased power and responsiveness and have to pay for an expensive repair service.
When coolant/antifreeze becomes old, it becomes acidic and breaks down the metal surfaces of your cooling system.
In addition, the presence of salt and moisture on the roads during winter conditions will exacerbate that corrosion. Corrosion will eventually lead to cooling system leaks.
Regular maintenance is less expensive than fixing major breakdowns or engine damage caused by an unchecked cooling system problem.
An issue with your cooling system can affect your vehicle’s ability to stay warm in cold temperatures because of the heater core component.
The heater core is a small radiator in your cooling system that helps warm the air in your vehicle. Once the coolant absorbs the heat from the engine, it diverts the heated coolant to the heater core, which in turn warms you and melts the ice off your windshield.
Before you pull out the wool socks, ask your trusted shop advisor about cooling system maintenance. Have them run a coolant test strip to check for acidity and ensure the coolant level is adequate. If it has been 30,000 miles since your last cooling system service, we recommend a system cleaner, new fluid, and additive to further enhance the fluid for maximum protection.
