Radiator Maintenance

Your car's radiator is what helps to keep your car engine cool when it is running and protect the engine from freezing up during the winter. Performing regular radiator maintenance will help to keep your car running longer and more efficiently. Properly maintaining your radiator is very easy, and is something that every car owner should know how to do.

The most important part of radiator maintenance is always ensuring that you use quality antifreeze in your radiator. You should always use a glycol based antifreeze and mix the antifreeze with water. If you live in temperate climates, you should mix the antifreeze 50/50 with water. If you live in colder northern climates, you should make the mixture 70% antifreeze and 30% water. Occasionally check the antifreeze level in your radiator and overflow reservoir and top off as needed.

Occasionally, metallic particles will build up in the antifreeze/water solution of your radiator or the solution may become acidic. When this occurs, you will need to flush your radiator, or drain the radiator and refill it. There is no predetermined rule or schedule for radiator flushes; however, most car manufacturers recommend that you drain and change the coolant in your radiator at least every other year in temperate climates and once a year in areas where winters are particularly cold or harsh. You can also purchase pH litmus test strips at local car parts stores that will let you know when it's time to change the antifreeze in your radiator as well.