Owning and driving a car comes with some serious responsibilities. To ensure that you drive safely in Owensboro, KY, and your car performs well, regular maintenance and upkeep are vital. An area that too many people overlook is checking the antifreeze levels. This is a crucial task. You should know how to do it, when to do it, and what effect it will have on your vehicle.
An Understanding of Antifreeze
Your vehicle includes many different types of fluids. All of these are critical to the vehicle’s performance. For example, the colored liquid that goes in the cooling system is known as antifreeze. It prevents the liquid from freezing so this system can work properly and reduce the chances of having the engine overheat. The antifreeze lowers the freezing point of water. So when the temperature outside falls, the coolant will maintain an even temperature in the engine. Moreover, antifreeze keeps corrosion away, fighting off rust. It will also keep the engine from overheating in the summer when the temperatures rise.
Differences Between Antifreeze and Coolant
You may have heard antifreeze and coolant used interchangeably. However, these two liquids are not the same. For instance, antifreeze is highly concentrated, so you will need to dilute it with water before using it. Furthermore, you may need to add as much as 50% water to the solution. On the other hand, coolant is already diluted, so you will not need to add any water. However, these two liquids perform the same job and will ultimately yield the same results.
How Often to Check the Levels
In the cold of winter or heat of summer, you don’t want to have your engine freeze or overheat. Luckily, your vehicle has warning indicators to tell you when the levels of antifreeze are getting low. Nevertheless, you should still be proactive and regularly check the antifreeze levels. This will give you peace of mind.
Moreover, you will also know when it is time to top off the vehicle with this important liquid. As a rule, check the antifreeze levels twice a year, preferably as you enter the summer and winter seasons. In your vehicle, there are indicator level marks to show you how much antifreeze should be in the vehicle. If the levels go down below these marks, put in more antifreeze.
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How to Put in More Antifreeze
It doesn’t require an expert to top off your car with antifreeze, though a mechanic can help with this task. Before putting in antifreeze, make sure the engine is cool. Look for the colored lid over the reservoir under the hood of your car. Remove it and pour in enough antifreeze so that it comes up to the line. Don’t overfill.
If you have concerns about your car’s cooling system, bring your vehicle to Don Moore Automotive in Owensboro, KY. Visit today so you can be sure your car is ready for the road.
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