Radiator Service: Facts About Antifreeze.
With winter's freezing temperatures here in full force, it is important that you have taken care of a needed radiator service to check the antifreeze/coolant mixture. It used to be that no matter which brand of antifreeze you chose, the color was always green. The antifreeze was mixed with water (50/50), and poured into the radiator. As the engine operated, the antifreeze performed its primary duties of carrying heat to the radiator, preventing freezing and protecting against corrosion in the cooling system. The antifreeze was simply changed at the prescribed radiator service interval. Most drivers know that ignoring this important service could lead to a costly radiator repair!
Unfortunately, many vehicle owners are confused as to what color of antifreeze is best. Because today there are numerous types of antifreeze technology which come in a rainbow of colors, be sure to get professional assistance from a radiator repair specialist. Most radiator service technicians agree that it is best to use the same type of coolant originally used in your car or truck (the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations).
Regular Radiator Service is Key!
As with anything automotive, proper maintenance is the key to longevity. The generally recommended replacement interval for antifreeze/coolant is every three years or 36,000 miles. Your owner's manual will indicate what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.
More important than the type of antifreeze you use is how the cooling system's freeze point protection and coolant level is maintained. Almost all coolants work best at the ideal freeze point mixture, which generally is a 50/50 antifreeze-to-water mixture. At this level, antifreeze protects to -34°F and boil-over protection to 257°F. In addition, maintaining proper freeze point protection ensures corrosion inhibitors are present at intended levels.
A cooling system that is constantly low on coolant can create an extremely corrosive environment due to the aggressive nature of the vapors of a glycol/water mix. These steam vapors are more corrosive than either fluid by itself. To check your coolant system's capacity, refer to your vehicle's owner's manual or ask your radiator repair technician.
The water you use to mix the antifreeze is critical. It is best to use distilled water, not tap or filtered, when refilling any cooling system. Tap water contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium that can form deposits in a cooling system, especially on the engine's hottest parts. Premixed coolants are mixed at the factory with distilled water.
Need quality radiator repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information about radiator service. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.
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With winter's freezing temperatures here in full force, it is important that you have taken care of a needed radiator service to check the antifreeze/coolant mixture. It used to be that no matter which brand of antifreeze you chose, the color was always green. The antifreeze was mixed with water (50/50), and poured into the radiator. As the engine operated, the antifreeze performed its primary duties of carrying heat to the radiator, preventing freezing and protecting against corrosion in the cooling system. The antifreeze was simply changed at the prescribed radiator service interval. Most drivers know that ignoring this important service could lead to a costly radiator repair!
Unfortunately, many vehicle owners are confused as to what color of antifreeze is best. Because today there are numerous types of antifreeze technology which come in a rainbow of colors, be sure to get professional assistance from a radiator repair specialist. Most radiator service technicians agree that it is best to use the same type of coolant originally used in your car or truck (the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations).
Regular Radiator Service is Key!
As with anything automotive, proper maintenance is the key to longevity. The generally recommended replacement interval for antifreeze/coolant is every three years or 36,000 miles. Your owner's manual will indicate what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.
More important than the type of antifreeze you use is how the cooling system's freeze point protection and coolant level is maintained. Almost all coolants work best at the ideal freeze point mixture, which generally is a 50/50 antifreeze-to-water mixture. At this level, antifreeze protects to -34°F and boil-over protection to 257°F. In addition, maintaining proper freeze point protection ensures corrosion inhibitors are present at intended levels.
A cooling system that is constantly low on coolant can create an extremely corrosive environment due to the aggressive nature of the vapors of a glycol/water mix. These steam vapors are more corrosive than either fluid by itself. To check your coolant system's capacity, refer to your vehicle's owner's manual or ask your radiator repair technician.
The water you use to mix the antifreeze is critical. It is best to use distilled water, not tap or filtered, when refilling any cooling system. Tap water contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium that can form deposits in a cooling system, especially on the engine's hottest parts. Premixed coolants are mixed at the factory with distilled water.
Need quality radiator repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information about radiator service. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.
About the Author
