Chrome-Plated Lining: How I Found My Passion For Cars

Your car's cooling system is vital to the health of your car's engine and other components. However, if you're like many people, you may think that the coolant simply needs to be topped off as it gets low, and that's all the cooling maintenance you need to do. It is important to have your cooling system looked at regularly for the following reasons.

Small Leaks can Cause Major Damage

You may see a small puddle of coolant when you pull out from a parking spot, and think that it doesn't mean much. However, you can't be sure. If you have a leak in a hose, the entire hose could eventually burst. If you have a leak in the radiator that is not taken care of, you can lose all your coolant and that can cause trouble for your engine.

A coolant leak damages a lot more than your personal car. Small animals that come across your leaking coolant are likely to lick it, which can make them very sick. Not only that, but coolant left on the road is eventually washed into storm drains after a rainfall, and may ultimately contaminate water supply. That's why there are a number of laws in different states about dumping coolant into water.

Old Coolant can Cause Corrosion

You may think that if you don't have a leak, you don't need to have the cooling system checked out. The truth is that as coolant ages, it becomes less effective and the fluid starts to break down. In fact, when coolant breaks down, it can cause rust particles to gain an electrical charge. In turn, those charged rust particles can cause corrosion to the engine.

You Need Coolant Flushes

If all you ever do is refill the coolant when it's low, you are still leaving the radiator full of mineral deposits and contaminants. A coolant flush doesn't only replace old coolant with new coolant; a flush ensures that you also clean out all of the contaminants, buildup and rust that has accumulated over time. When the entire cooling system is clean, you can avoid damage to your engine.

Now that you have a better idea of why you need to pay attention to the cooling system in your car, have the cooling system checked and monitored for problems on a regular basis. That way, if repairs on the system need to be done, your mechanic (such as one from Oak Hollow Tire Car Care Center Inc) can get the job done and you can protect your car from extensive damage.