Cooling Care: Shielding Your Car Engine from Overheating!

The cooling system in your car is essential to safe driving. It keeps your engine from overheating by spreading heat evenly throughout the system. A faulty cooling system might result in expensive auto repairs.

Ignoring conventional car maintenance or minor engine problems causes wear and strain on your vehicle and diminishes engine life. This is especially true when it comes to your vehicle's coolant system. Despite the fact that cooling system maintenance is critical to engine performance, 28% of cars have insufficient cooling protection. You're in this demographic if you can't remember the last time you had the coolant (also known as antifreeze) flushed and replenished. It's time to look to maintain your cooling system, and here's why...

The cooling system aims to remove heat generated by the engine when a spark ignites the fuel/air mixture. It's a cyclical process that commences in the radiator. When the engine reaches a specified operating temperature, water/coolant enters the engine and removes heat. The coolant then goes back out to the radiator, where it is cooled by the air percussion through the grill again restarting the cycle. The coolant is meant to keep the engine from overheating while also protecting critical components of the cooling system from corrosion. When coolant becomes old, it can no longer do its function properly, and you encounter the risk of an overheating engine, which could result in a blown head gasket or worse.

Signs You Have a Cooling System Problem

As with any engine component, there are some signs to look for that will alert you to a problem. When it comes to the cooling system watch for these:

The engine overheats. As mentioned above, an overheating engine should not be ignored. There are any number of things that can be causing the engine to overheat – like a bad water pump, and a broken hose or belt to name a couple. If the engine temperature light warning light comes on or you notice the engine is overheating, safely pull over and call for a tow. Continuing to drive could lead to fatal engine damage.

Indications of a Cooling System Failure

There are various warning signs to look for in any engine component that will alert you to a problem. When it comes to the cooling system, keep an eye for signs of the following:

The engine becomes heated. An overheating engine, as previously stated, should not be overlooked. Overheating can be caused by a variety of factors, including a faulty water pump and a damaged hose or belt, to mention a few. If the engine temperature warning light illuminates or you realize the engine is overheating, safely pull over and rush to a garage. Continued driving could result in fatal engine damage.

When you drive, you can smell antifreeze. The smell of antifreeze while driving or immediately after stopping your vehicle indicates a leak in the system. The antifreeze leaking onto the heated engine causes the odor. This, like an overheating engine, should be addressed as soon as possible.

You notice antifreeze under the front bumper of your car. If you see a puddle of coolant beneath your vehicle, have it inspected straight away. When there is a leak in the cooling system, the engine cannot be properly protected against overheating. The coolant level is constantly low. There is a leak in the system if you have to add coolant to the radiator on a frequent basis.

Maintenance of Cooling Systems

The cooling system should be kept in the following condition:

Check the radiator, belts and hoses on a regular basis and get them replaced if they exhibit signs of excessive wear or ageing.

Before the drive belt (also known as the serpentine belt) breaks, replace it. To find out when it needs to be replaced, consult the owner's handbook. Our professionals will also advise you when it is necessary to replace the belt.

Have your cooling system serviced. The old fluid will be emptied, the system will be cleansed, and new coolant will be introduced during this service. This service should be conducted every two years at the absolute least. We can also run a fast test on the coolant to see if it is enough protection.

Just adhere to these four simple procedures to maintain your car's cooling system to keep it running smoothly and safely and to prevent additional downtime. The first step in keeping your cooling system healthy is to change your coolant, also known as antifreeze, on a regular basis, but here are four extra suggestions to ensure you can recognise warning signals as well.

1.Close the radiator cap.

The radiator cap has a purpose other than retaining coolant in the system. It aids in the maintenance of proper pressure across the entire cooling system. Check your radiator cap on a frequent basis to ensure it hasn't slipped. But be careful—when the engine is running, the cap heats up, so wait for it to cool. Also, be mindful that unscrewing may cause pressure to be released, so take a step back when you adjust the cap.

2.Keep your car's coolant tank full.

Check your coolant levels if your automobile looks to be overheating. If they're running low, refill with pre-mixed coolant or the manufacturer's recommended brand. This easy measure will help your engine run cooler, reducing the possibility of costly auto repairs.

3. Maintain the pristine condition of your radiator.

Dirt and debris might enter your vehicle's cooling system. Keep yours clean by having it checked every six months or so when you have your car serviced.

4. Clean out your cooling system.

Similarly, your radiator should be drained and refilled every 30,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first. This thorough cleaning will remove any dirt, debris, or sediment that has accumulated.

Contact Service Geni for assistance with your car's cooling system or any other auto repair. We'll help you in restoring your automobile maintenance.

Components of a Cooling System

Here's a brief description of your cooling system's sections and components to help you understand it.

Coolant

This is the liquid mixture of chemicals and water that flows through your engine and keeps the temperature down. It is also known as antifreeze. To avoid costly auto repairs, replace it at least every 30,000 miles.

The Water Pump

This fundamental component, which works in tandem with the radiator, performs exactly what its name implies: it pumps coolant to keep the engine from overheating. Radiator The radiator is the heart of your cooling system, relying on the water pump to distribute heat throughout the system and prevent overheating.

Thermostat

The thermostat, which is located between the engine and the radiator, monitors the temperature of your engine and opens and closes to dispense coolant as needed.

Fan

To prevent overheating, your cooling fan activates when the temperature of your car coolant rises above an exact threshold.

The simplest way to care for your vehicle's cooling system and maintain it is to get your car serviced in the garages registered in Service Geni .

Service Geni is working on the motive of making car maintenance hustle free. We can handle all your vehicle cooling system maintenance and repair needs. So, now you know what has to be done when you need a service for your cars.

Is your car's engine at risk of overheating? Discover essential tips and maintenance strategies to ensure your vehicle stays cool and runs smoothly. Drive worry-free with our expert guidance!