Coolant System Service
Cooling System Service at Griffith Ford Uvalde
Your vehicle’s average operating temperature can run anywhere between 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures are high enough to destroy your engine in a short amount of time. To prevent any damage caused by all that heat, your engine has a cooling system to keep the temperatures under control. Engine coolant stored in the vehicle’s radiator flows through channels around your engine, cooling everything down to less harmful temperatures. When your cooling system needs attention, trust the professionals in our service department at Griffith Ford Uvalde.Servicing Your Cooling System
Our service department starts cooling system service with a diagnostic to ensure your cooling system is functioning properly. All components and aspects of the system will be inspected before replacing any parts. When having your coolant system serviced, our service team will:- Thoroughly inspect the radiator and radiator hoses, the thermostat, the water pump, and belts, and check the heater core, valve covers, and the radiator fan.
- Our team checks the system for leaks, cracks in the radiator, and other important system elements
- Check for coolant volume and appropriate pressure.
- A cooling system flush is then performed.
- Any new parts are installed.
- The system is refilled to proper levels with fresh coolant.
The Warning Signs That Coolant Service Is Needed
If you feel like your vehicle’s cooling system may not be working the way it should, there are warning signs you can look for.- The engine is overheating: If you’re stuck on the side of the highway with steam billowing out from under your hood, your coolant system needs service.
- Running hot: if your temperature gauge seems to be near or in the red zone, a simple radiator flush may put things back on track.
- Leaking: If you see the obvious green or orange puddles under your vehicle, you have a coolant leak.
- The smell of maple syrup: The smell of burning antifreeze is very distinctive.
System Flush Recommendations
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should have your coolant checked by the service experts at Griffith Ford Uvalde. If no symptoms are apparent, it is still recommended that you have the cooling system checked and flushed on a regular basis. The engine coolant does not have an expiration date but over time it does lose some of its effectiveness. Most owners’ manuals recommend flushing the system every 30,000 to 120,000 miles or every three to five years, whichever comes first.Antifreeze vs. Coolant
Engine coolant is often referred to as antifreeze by mistake. Antifreeze is a chemical (Ethylene Glycol), while engine coolant is a combination of antifreeze and water. The common mix ratio for the two components is 50/50. Water circulates around the engine to keep it from overheating; even in cold weather engines would overheat, causing damage to internal components. While water is used as a cooling liquid to keep the engine from burning up, water freezes at 32 degrees, so adding the antifreeze brings the freezing point down to -30 degrees.Schedule coolant system service for your vehicle with Griffith Ford Uvalde. Don’t let your vehicle get stranded on the roads around Uvalde, Crystal City, or Del Rio. You can schedule service online or with a phone call today!