Coolant service for your vehicle is very important. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, keeps your car or truck running properly. The manufacturer of your vehicle will have a specific maintenance requirement for servicing your cooling system, including draining and replacing your coolant. The manufacturer recommendations vary widely, so be sure to check your owner’s manual, or contact Pacific Automotive in San Diego for assistance.
What Does Coolant Do?
Your car, truck or SUV has a cooling system. Its job is just like it says – it is designed to keep your engine cool. A properly functioning engine cooling system circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. The coolant / antifreeze mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. Then, the mixture flows out to your radiator, and is cooled by the air that blows over the radiator. To complete the circle, the cooled mixture circulates back through the engine to once again absorb more heat.
Without coolant in the system, the parts in your vehicle’s engine that are metal would get so hot that they would expand. And this would cause the engine to seize up and stop running. At worst, the entire engine could be ruined and have to be replaced. On the other hand, expensive parts could break or warp badly and require replacement.
Additionally, coolant lubricates the water pump, protecting it against corrosion. And uses the cooling system to heat the passenger cabin.
The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced.
Coolant Service Features
An independent repair shop will follow your manufacturer’s recommendations and/or test results to determine timing of the service and type of antifreeze used. Pacific Automotive can assist you if are not sure of when to get this service. We will remove the used coolant and replace it with one that meets or exceeds your manufacturer’s specifications, Importantly we then properly dispose of the used fluid.
Coolant Service San Diego Local Experts – Pacific Automotive
In sum, coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine running smoothly and safely, in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures.
It’s very important to check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks.
A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity and determine if it is time to replace it.
It’s important to use the correct type of antifreeze. Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them. The different coolant types are different colors to make it easier not to confuse them.
Check with your friendly and knowledgeable Pacific Automotive service advisor or your owner’s manual for the right kind, because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your vehicle cooling system.
Choosing an independent dealer like Pac Auto for your coolant service allows you to receive personalized attention, technical expertise, cost-effectiveness, and peace of mind. With ASE-certified technicians and friendly service, we’ve got you covered.