What we have commonly known as “coolant” is the fluid found in the radiator and the rest of the cooling system of our vehicle. It is an equal mixture of water and glycol.
Some of its main purposes are:
- Temperature Control: The chemical component called glycol is the antifreeze element in the mix. It stabilizes the temperature in the engine during extreme weather, and driving condition by transferring heat from the engine to the radiator.
- Rust prevention: The coolant has additives to prevent rust and corrosion inside the radiator, the engine, and the vehicle’s cooling system.
- Maintenance: Like most fluids in the vehicle, the coolant should be changed at least once a year or every 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you have not changed it for over a year, or you have not been using a high-quality product, the best course of action is to flush the system with special additives, and then add the new coolant. This type of maintenance can save you money because it will extend the life of other components of the system such as water pump, thermostat, hoses, radiator, and the engine itself.
Article written by Danny Martínez