Key Takeaways:
- Antifreeze (glycol) is mixed with water to create a solution known as coolant.
- Glycol prevents the water from freezing in cold weather and raises the boiling point of the water.
- If you want to make car coolant, mix water and antifreeze. The ideal ratio is usually 50/50.
- Coolant can improve engine performance and extend its life.
- It prevents corrosion and overheating, two leading causes of engine failure.
- It also leads to better fuel economy.
- A coolant flush-and-fill maintains your car’s health – It’s recommended every two years or 30,000 miles.
Your engine is the core of your ride. It’s what makes it run. And, just like your own heart, it needs proper care and maintenance to function at its best. One way to take care of your engine is to ensure it has enough coolant. Coolant helps keep your engine running cool and prevents overheating.
This post will discuss improving your engine’s performance with car coolant. We’ll cover many things, from choosing the right type of coolant to how to add it. So, whether you’re a new or expert driver, read on to keep your engine running smoothly!
What is Car Coolant?
It’s a careful blend of water and glycol. Glycol is alcohol that prevents the water from freezing in cold weather. It also raises the water’s boiling point so it can withstand higher temperatures without turning into steam. This is important because your engine produces much heat when it’s running.
The water in the coolant absorbs and carries away some of this heat to keep the engine from overheating. The glycol raises the mixture’s boiling point so it can absorb more heat. It also keeps the water from freezing in cold weather.
There are two types of car coolant: ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is the most common type of coolant, and it’s what you’ll find in most cars. It’s effective at preventing freezing and boiling but also poisonous if ingested. Propylene glycol is less poisonous than ethylene glycol.
What is Antifreeze?
It’s a substance added to a liquid to lower its freezing point. The most common use of antifreeze is in automobiles, where it is mixed with water to create a solution known as coolant. When this mixture is used in an engine, it helps keep the engine from overheating.
So if you want to make car coolant, you must mix water and antifreeze. The ideal ratio is usually 50/50, but you can also use a 60/40 or 70/30 ratio, depending on your climate and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How to Check and Add Coolant?
Checking your car’s coolant level is a simple but important task. You should do it every month and before going on a long road trip. Here’s how:
- First, find the coolant reservoir. It’s usually a plastic tank located near the radiator, and it will have a fill line marked on it.
- Next, check the coolant level. You’ll need to add more if it’s below the fill line.
- Be careful not to overfill it.
- If your car doesn’t have a coolant reservoir, you’ll need to check the level in the radiator itself. Open the radiator cap and look inside. The coolant should be just below the top of the radiator.
- If it’s low, slowly add more until it reaches the proper level. Again, be careful not to overfill it!
- Replace the radiator cap once you’ve checked the level and added coolant, if necessary.
Benefits of Car Coolant
There are numerous benefits to using coolant, including:
Improved Engine Performance
Improved engine performance is perhaps the most important benefit of coolant.
- By maintaining your engine at the proper temperature, it will be able to run more efficiently. This can also lead to increased power.
- It can also help extend your engine’s life by preventing corrosion.
- Overheating is a leading cause of engine failure, so by using car coolant, you can help prevent this from happening.
To improve your engine’s performance, add the coolant to your list of must-haves. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to keep your engine running cooler and longer.
Better Fuel Economy
It doesn’t need to work as hard when your engine runs cooler. It means that it will use less fuel. As a result, you’ll get better gas mileage.
Check out our blog about replacing your air filter to improve gas mileage.
Reduced Emissions
A cooler engine is a more productive engine. It means it will produce fewer emissions. So, not only is using coolant better for your car, but it’s also better for the environment.
Longer Engine Life
When your engine runs cooler, it experiences less wear and tear. It means it will last longer before you need to replace it.
How Important is Coolant Flush and Fill?
Most carmakers recommend that you flush and fill your cooling system every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. It may seem daunting, but it’s not. A coolant flush and fill are one of the easiest and most important things you can do to maintain your car’s health.
If you don’t keep up with it, your car will start to experience several problems. The coolant will become acidic and corrode the engine from the inside out. It can cause leaks, overheating, and even engine failure. So, to avoid that, ensure you flush and fill your cooling system on schedule.
Why are You Losing Coolant Frequently?
If you notice that you’re losing coolant frequently, there are a few things it could be.
- The most common reason is a leak. A leak can happen in the radiator, hoses, or water pump. If you see coolant on the ground or your driveway, that’s a sure sign of a leak.
- Another reason is if your radiator cap isn’t sealing properly. The radiator cap maintains the correct pressure in the cooling system. Coolant will escape if it’s not sealing, and you’ll lose fluid levels.
If you’re losing coolant, it’s important to find the source of the leak and get it fixed promptly. Otherwise, you might end up with an engine that is lined up for severe damage & repairs.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you some helpful tips on improving your engine’s performance with car coolant. Remember to check for leaks regularly and monitor your fluid levels. Follow these tips to extend the life of your engine, and avoid costly repairs down the road.
If you seek a reliable and affordable Honda service center to take your car for service, Mike Patton Honda, serving Hogansville, GA, is an excellent choice. Our certified technicians are experienced in working on all models and can help keep your Honda in the best condition. We offer many car services, so you can find everything you need in one place. Plus, we’re always offering specials on our services to help you save money.
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