Springtime is the time to clean out your garage, open windows to let in fresh air, and check to make sure your car's system chemicals (antifreeze/coolant, transmission, brake and power steering fluids) are prepared to protect the engine and other operating systems through another season of rising temperatures and stop 'n go driving.
Check your car's antifreeze level and glycol-to-water mixture to ensure harsh winter driving hasn't left your cooling system "low on antifreeze = low on protection." Winter's extreme temperatures and harsh driving conditions can play havoc on engine chemicals, leaving your vehicle less than fully protected. This is especially true with premium formula antifreeze/coolants, which contain special additives that help ensure engine longevity and prevent radiator leaks. These additives wear out over time, lessening their ability to protect vital engine and cooling system metals against rust and corrosion, and thus the antifreeze/coolant needs to be replaced.
If You're Low on Antifreeze, You're Low on Protection
Maintaining your car's cooling system is one aspect of vehicle service that can still be completed with basic service tools, and an antifreeze ball tester or a simple test strip, which are available at your local auto parts store. If you can't remember the last time you flushed and filled your coolant system with fresh antifreeze, now's the time to check it.
If your coolant system level is drastically low or the glycol-to-water ratio is not correct, you might consider flushing the system and then filling it with a fresh antifreeze and water mixture to bring it back within operating specifications. For the best year-round protection, most automakers recommend a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. Check your owner's manual for the vehicle's recommended service interval or talk to a parts professional for details.
Extremely low coolant system levels may be an indication that you have a leaky hose or loose radiator hose clamp. Any hoses that show signs of wear, leakage, cracking or rotting should be replaced.
"It only takes a few minutes to check your antifreeze/coolant system level and glycol-to-water mixture, but it is probably the most important preventive maintenance procedure the typical vehicle owner can conduct themselves," says Ed Powderly, brand manager for PEAK® Performance Products. Most vehicles use conventional green-colored ethylene glycol-based antifreeze which provides maximum freeze-up protection down to -84ºF and boil-over protection to 276ºF. "Cooling system failure is a leading cause of engine related breakdowns, which can cost thousands of dollars and leave your family stranded at the worst possible time," Powderly points out.
If your coolant system level is moderately low and your antifreeze ball tester shows that the antifreeze-to-water ratio is correct. Then it simply needs to be topped-off with a 'ready to use' 50/50 mixture of antifreeze/water.
Identifying and correcting coolant system leaks, low fill levels and improper ratios is a fast and easy way to avoid springtime performance problems and prepare for summer's hotter temperatures.
