You love your car – even if it’s older and has a ridiculous amount of miles. It gets you where you need to go. You notice when your tires are low, your oil is low or even when the battery is low or dead, but do you notice when your coolant/antifreeze is low? Do you remember to check it?
The Cooling System
The cooling system uses antifreeze/coolant and water in a 50/50 ratio. When temperatures soar, your car’s engine needs coolant to keep from overheating. When temperatures dip well below freezing, it needs antifreeze.
Don’t procrastinate! Cooling system failure, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, is the leading cause of vehicle breakdowns on the highway. If you own a vehicle, now is a good time to double-check your coolant/antifreeze. Most importantly, maintaining the proper level is cheaper than repairing or replacing an engine.
Oh No! What’s That Green Stuff?!
If you haven’t ever seen “green stuff” under your car’s front end you’re fortunate. The “green stuff” that looks like green oil is coolant/antifreeze. Unfortunately, radiators are part of the cooling system and they can spring a leak. When they spring a leak they can sometimes be sealed, but other times they may need replacing. Still, replacing a radiator is cheaper than replacing a motor or car.
Types of Coolant/Antifreeze
Coolant/Antifreeze is either undiluted or diluted 50/50. It is made from either propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. Newer vehicles need the newer type, while older vehicles need the older. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended fluid, how to check it, and where to put it.
Often, it’s as simple as putting it in the overfill reservoir found under the hood next to the engine. Check the cap since manufacturers now emboss them with cool/antifreeze information. To be safe, check the owner’s manual. If still in doubt, take your car to a trusted mechanic.
Be Safe and Be Thrifty!
If you have your oil changed at a business such as Grease Monkey, Jiffy Lube, and Quik Lube Plus (to name a few), they usually provide other services such as checking other fluids, including: steering, brake, differential, windshield wiper fluid, as well as radiator fluid (coolant/antifreeze).
For more information, please check out these articles:
Which Antifreeze is Right For Your Vehicle?
How to Check a Vehicle’s Antifreeze
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