Taking care of your engine is important to keeping your car running smoothly. Neglecting maintenance, like changing your engine coolant, may lead to decreased performance. Always refer to the manufacturer's recommended interval for changing engine coolant as outlined in your vehicle's owner's manual.
We'll look into how engine coolant contributes to overall engine functionality, how often you may need a coolant flush, and clarify the common misconception surrounding engine coolant and antifreeze.
What Does Engine Coolant Do?
Engine coolant is a fluid that helps manage heat and offers antifreeze protection, helping to ensure your car operates smoothly.
When a vehicle's engine runs, it burns fuel to create energy. Some of this energy propels the car, while the rest turns into heat. This heat escapes through the exhaust, but a good amount stays within the engine block.
Typical combustion can generate temperatures around 2,000°F, and it may spike up to 4,500°F in extreme cases. Considering that aluminum parts start to melt at around 1,225°F, managing this heat is important.
Many engine failures can be traced back to cooling issues. To help prevent overheating, we use engine coolant.
How Often Do You Need a Coolant Flush
How often you may need to change your car's coolant depends on the type of coolant you're using and your specific vehicle.
If your coolant contains silicates, you should usually consider changing it every two years or after driving 30,000 miles. However, if you choose extended drain coolants, they can last up to five years or 100,000 miles before needing a change.
A quick way to tell them apart is by their color; the silicate-based coolants are mostly green, whereas the long-lasting ones are either gold or orange.
Signs You Need a Coolant Flush
Knowing when to consider performing a coolant flush is important for maintaining a vehicle's cooling system.
One of the first signs is a sweet smell coming from the car's hood. This unusual scent is caused by overheating ethylene glycol, a key component of coolant. It's an indicator that the vehicle might need a coolant top-off or a full system flush.
When starting the vehicle, you may hear a gurgling noise, which could mean it's time to check the coolant levels. This noise often comes from air pockets that form when there isn't enough coolant in the system.
Regularly experiencing an engine overheating is a clear sign the car might need additional coolant. The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the red zone. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. To help prevent damage to the engine and its components, always refer to the owner's manual.
Is Engine Coolant the Same as Antifreeze?
No, they're not the same, but they're definitely linked! An engine requires coolant daily to help prevent overheating, while antifreeze is typically mixed into the coolant to prevent it from freezing in cold conditions. Generally, coolant consists of a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze, though in colder regions, a 70/30 ratio favoring antifreeze might be necessary.
Antifreeze is composed of either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol and contains additives to ward off corrosion. It's available in several colors and formulas, so it's important to stick to the type recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.
Using water alone is not recommended for cooling your engine as it can boil, freeze, and cause rust and cracking in the engine block due to expansion and contraction. Yet, relying solely on antifreeze isn't the answer either. Refer to the instructions in your owner's manual.