How Often Should I Check My Car’s Antifreeze? Does It Need to Be Changed?
Most drivers know how vital it is to make sure their cars are well stocked with clean oil, but many don’t realize that antifreeze is also crucial for strong auto performance. That bright liquid plays a key role in making sure your engine runs properly, especially in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
With the winter months here, it’s even more important to make sure you understand what antifreeze is, but before you head straight to your local mechanic in Lubbock, TX with your questions, read further to learn some of the basics about antifreeze.
What is antifreeze, and how does it work?
Antifreeze, also known as coolant, is a liquid you pour into a reservoir in your car’s engine. A water pump pushes the antifreeze from the radiator into the engine, where it collects the heat the engine creates, and then flows past the heater core and finally back to the radiator. The antifreeze is thus a huge part of the functioning of the engine. Without it, your car’s engine would overheat and crack.
Antifreeze becomes even more important in extreme temperatures because the chemicals inside it lower the freezing point and raise the boiling point of water. This means it protects your car in ways that water could not.
How often should I check the car’s antifreeze levels?
Because it’s such an important part of your car’s proper functioning, you should check on the antifreeze more often than you might think. Take a peek in the antifreeze reservoir every other time you fill up your gas tank with lower-mileage cars, and every time you pump gas for higher-mileage cars.
Does antifreeze need to be changed?
Though some components of antifreeze last forever, others do not. It’s important to flush the system and replace the antifreeze when you notice it has degraded. It’s easy to tell when antifreeze is getting too old because it takes on a rusty or brown color. You can also use a hydrometer to check on the coolant’s condition.
Though you can handle working with your car’s antifreeze yourself, it might be worth it to bring in your car for a regular auto tune up in Lubbock, TX. It’s always good to know your car is running well in the winter, and M & M Tire & Service Center is happy to give your vehicle the TLC it needs for the season. We’ve operated since 1975, and our family-owned and operated shop has provided the local community with excellent service at competitive prices.
We’ve earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for the past 30-plus years, so you’ll be sure to leave our shop satisfied no matter what service you visit us for. M & M Tire & Service Center will provide quality system checks, oil changes and tune-ups, as well as more involved repair services, including door and window repair, heating and cooling repair, suspension repair and engine repair. Call or stop by today to find out more about our services and rates.
Categorised in: Mechanic, Tune-Ups
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