Have you ever been in stop-start traffic with an overheating car? If you answered yes, then you’re not alone. Maybe you skipped your last car service that was due, and so your vehicle may be in dire need of a car cooling system service? Whatever the case, the best way to deal with a situation like this is to turn your air conditioner off and open all your car windows. You want to give your engine less work to do.
5 tips to help maintain your radiator
The same applies to your old car that may struggle up a hill and show signs of getting hotter than normal. You want to try to relieve the strain on the engine so don’t push your car too hard or rev it too much. Slow down or stop completely if you can. The harder your engine needs to work the more heat it will produce and then your vehicle ends up overheating. It goes without saying of course, that not getting yourself into these stressful situations in the first place is key. So be sure to visit your one-stop auto repair shop in Marietta to get your car service done regularly. You can also follow these are 5 maintenance tips to keep your radiator functioning optimally:
1. Always use the right coolant
Only use coolants specific for your make and model of car, and don’t mix coolants. The requirements for aluminum and copper-brass radiators may be different and the usual coolant may not suffice.
2. Regularly flushing your radiator
Every 12 months or 30 000 km’s a radiator flush and engine coolant replacement will remove the build-up of rust and residue and keep your radiator working properly.
3. Maintain the hoses and check for leaks
Look for leaks and cracks in your radiator hose every time you change the oil in your car. Check also for rusted clamps and make sure your gasket that’s fitted to your radiator cap is still ok. Look for visual signs of leaks or drips under the engine.
4. Fluid check
Maintaining proper levels of coolant is vital. It will not only stop your car from overheating in hot weather but also stop fluids from freezing in very cold climates.
5. Don’t overload your vehicle
The heavier the load your vehicle needs to carry, the more your radiator needs to work to cool your car down. Overloading is a major factor in your car overheating as the load on the engine is increased and thus puts your car under extra stress.