HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHECK MY COOLING SYSTEM?

The process of driving your car causes its engine to generate a considerable amount of heat—so much heat, in fact, that a built-in cooling system is necessary to ensure that your car can keep on chugging even after running for hours.

That’s not all the cooling system does, though; it also ensures that your car’s engine doesn’t freeze in frigid weather conditions. One way to know if you need cooling system repairs is to perform a coolant system check in Lubbock, TX.

This article will cover why you should check your car’s cooling system, how often you should check it and some basic pointers outlining how to check it.

Why should I check my car’s cooling system?

You’ve likely invested a great deal of time and money into your car, and it’s possible that you rely on it to get you where you need to go. Because of that, making sure that it’s in fine working order is that much more important.

Like all the various mechanisms in your car, when it comes to your cooling system, heavy use can lead to heavy wear. You or a mechanic need to check your car’s coolant system to prevent costly damage to your vehicle and ensure that it keeps running smoothly.

How do I check my car’s cooling system?

While you could theoretically check your car’s entire coolant system, that involved process requires specialized knowledge and tools that you may not have access to or may not want to purchase. Unless you have an extensive knowledge of cars, a comprehensive check should probably be left to the professionals.

What you can do, though, is check your car’s coolant levels. This isn’t exceedingly difficult and can prevent engine problems down the line.

With your vehicle’s owner’s manual in hand (or at least close by), the first step is to wait a few hours after driving. This prevents hot coolant from spraying out and causing injury when you check it.

You should now pop the hood, find the radiator cap and remove it. You should see coolant there when you do this. If there isn’t any, then you will need to add some.

Consult the owner’s manual for the correct type of coolant to add, and using a funnel placed in the radiator hole, add coolant until it’s full.

Put the cap back on, and wipe up any drops that may have spilled during the process. Put the hood back down, and you should be good to go.

How often should I check my car’s cooling system?

There isn’t really a straightforward answer to this question, but here are some rough guidelines. Your car’s make and model might suggest different timetables, but, generally, you should check your car’s coolant system every 30,000–80,000 miles. Using a mechanic for this would be wise.

You can check your car’s coolant level regularly; some people do it every time they fill up their tank. Remember that it’s better to check too often than too little, as it’s harder to catch problems when you’re not looking for them.

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