Thursday, August 29, 2013

How Often Should You Replace Glycol For Summer Driving

By Tommy Steeles


When most drivers think of their autos cooling system all that comes to mind is their radiator " the humble rad. The cooling system of your car keeps your autos engine within normal ranges and provides you both comfortable maintenance free driving and heat from their interior car heater during the cold winter time or to defrost their windshield. Yet its summer driving and boil-overs from either slow crawling driving in rush hour traffic or alternatively towing heavy even oversize vacation trailers.

In most cases little is thought of the fluid levels of the humble radiator of most vehicles , nor is the antifreeze concentration or concentrations proper or even adequate for the season driven. Different times of year may require less glycol , severe winter weather such as in The Pas or Flin Flon Mb. Canada, require substantially higher glycol antifreeze percentages. Take advantage of seasonal changes great . Forget about changing your fluid for the severe 40 below winter time temperatures and you risk a cracked engine block or worse.

Radiator coolant and coolant levels are seldom on drivers minds till disaster strikes or they are frigid or cannot defrost their windshield while driving. First of all how can you judge coolant level in modern vehicles " be they cars, trucks or SUVs? With coolant recovery systems, the coolant level is easily checked by observing the liquid level on the coolant recovery bottle. In most autos currently, the radiator cap need not normally be removed. The coolant level should be at the Full Cold mark when the system is cool and at ambient temperature. After the vehicle has been driven sufficiently to obtain normal operating temperatures, the level should be at the "full " or "Hot "mark or markings.

All in all it is the owners responsibility to ensure that coolant levels are maintained. If you as an auto owner are unsure of how to do this or the procedure then its your responsibility to assign this task and responsibility to someone knowledgeable " be it your spouse , son ,daughter or the mechanic or dealership that services your vehicle on an ongoing basis.

Most of the problems we encounter both in life and as auto owners are relatively simple and come down to basics. In this case its a matter of proper ongoing maintenance of your vehicle's cooling system. If you are unsure of the steps and procedures ask professional help . Your local mechanic , a neighbor or the service department of your local nearby car or truck dealership will be only too obliging to help you out.




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