Why your car needs radiator service

11/7/2011

For drivers who don't know a lot about auto maintenance, radiator service might seem like it's not all that important. However, it's crucial that drivers take care of this part of their vehicle, especially before winter.

Essentially, the radiator/cooling system is responsible for keeping the engine from overheating. It uses a solution known as coolant to take heat from the engine and move it around the vehicle. This coolant also contains antifreeze, which prevents the water from solidifying in colder temperatures. Thus, it's important to pay attention to this part of the car before winter.

Antifreeze is naturally acidic, which is why the solution also contains corrosive inhibitors, reports Yahoo! Autos. These chemicals prevent the acid from eating through the metal parts of the car. Aluminum parts are especially vulnerable to this danger. The inhibitors degrade over time, which is why it becomes necessary to replace the antifreeze on a regular basis. If left unchecked, the coolant will eventually corrode the metal and you could be left with a major car repair bill on your hands.

A radiator flush & fill is an easy way to take care of this. This simple service will drain the old solution and put in a fresh batch of coolant. When handled by a professional, this also ensures that all of old coolant will be drained, as some amateur mechanics have been known to leave up to 50 percent of the old coolant in the vehicle, which is a recipe for disaster.