Coolant System Service

Coolant System Service at Stanley Ford Sweetwater

Whenever you operate your vehicle, the engine generates enough heat to destroy itself. The only reason it doesn’t burn up is because of the coolant system. Keeping your engine cool and running happens because of the coolant that circulates throughout your engine. It is important that the coolant system functions well. If you live in Abilene, Roscoe, or Sweetwater, Stanley Ford Sweetwater can help you keep your coolant system in prime condition.

Coolant Maintenance

Your coolant maintenance begins with a diagnostic of your coolant system to determine whether you have any problems with your radiator or thermostat. Our technicians will also:

• Check the water pump, the belts and hoses, the fans and the heater core, and the head gasket.
• Check coolant volume and the pressure.
• Inspect all elements for wear, and check for leaks and cracks.
• Remove all old fluid and replace it with new fluid.
• Inspect and replace any worn-out parts.
• Make sure all fluids are supplying the system properly.

How Often Should I Flush the Coolant System?

Every vehicle has an owner’s manual that provides a recommended schedule of maintenance. The manufacturer provides instructions and a recommended time frame to have maintenance performed on your cooling system. The coolant in your vehicle does not expire, but over time, the coolant will break down and not work as well. Your coolant, on average, is recommended to be changed between 30,000 and 120,000 miles, but this can vary greatly between vehicles. It’s best that you check your owner’s manual for more specific recommendations. There are times that you may need to change the fluid early. Some examples include:

• If your temperature gauge registers a high temperature frequently, or you find yourself on the side of the road with a cloud of steam billowing out from under your hood, you need your cooling system checked.
• If you catch a whiff of a sugary sweet smell or a maple syrup-like smell, it can mean that your antifreeze is dripping onto the engine and getting burned from a leak in the system.
• If you see any pools of fluid beneath your vehicle, it can also imply a leak in the system. Antifreeze is usually orange or green but can be in other colors. If you see a pool of liquid like this beneath your vehicle, then you need service.

Coolant vs. Antifreeze

These terms are related, but they are different. Antifreeze is a unique substance that is a component of your coolant fluid that is half antifreeze and half regular water. The two components are mixed to make engine coolant, but they are not the same thing. The antifreeze keeps your coolant from freezing in the coldest of months so that it can continue to circulate. It also keeps your coolant from boiling in the hot summer months.