Coolant keeps your valuable engine from overheating.
Many drivers ignore basic ‘must do’ little things for their car. It is good to open your engine hood at least once a month to check your coolant fluid level, brake fluid level, battery terminals, power steering fluid, engine lubricant level and also windshield wiper fluid.
Prevention is the best way to ensure that your car performs as it should. Modern cars don’t really lose their coolant like with older cars.
The coolant circulates through the engine and radiator indefinitely. However, with older cars (like most of you drive) you will need to flush your radiator at least once a year and pour in new coolant.
The radiator thermostat is designed to block coolant flow to the radiator until the coolant reaches a certain temperature. Here is where more coolant is being circulated through the system at operating temps once the engine has warmed up.
Hot weather theoretically causes coolant to heat up faster and cool down less effectively, so the thermostat would open faster and stay open longer in hot weather like we in Malaysia are used to.
The flow rate itself is determined by the vehicle’s water pump, which probably does not change much depending on weather.
While driving in daily mid-day hot weather is an issue to watch out for as your engine will start overheating, it is not the only factor.
Low coolant level or a cooling system leak (hoses do not last forever) are other reasons that your car engine can overheat. You may also be experiencing a failing water pump or radiator thermostat (these items will not give you a warning prior to failing).
Keep an eye on your temperature gauge when driving in very hot and humid weather. The first symptoms you are likely to notice are either steam (or smoke) coming out from under the hood or your temperature gauge steadily climbing from its normal level.
If this happens to you while you are driving, it is important to take the advice we have shared above to keep your car running well for your benefit.
Remember. No matter what make or model of car you drive, maintenance is an unavoidable part of owning a vehicle.
Taking good care of your car helps to keep it running for longer, preserve its engine and working parts, and ensure that large and potentially costly breakdowns are prevented wherever possible.
Performing preventative car maintenance also helps to keep you safe during your travels, while ensuring that your vehicle is consistently reliable.
