Is Antifreeze a Concern in the Winter?
In spite of the temperature outside antifreeze keeps your car engine running smoothly and at the proper temperature. When you start your vehicle’s engine, coolant is pumped throughout it to either warm it up or cool it down. In addition to its primary job of maintaining your vehicle’s ideal operating temperature, many antifreeze products on the market today also contain extra additives to help prevent corrosion and expensive engine breakdowns.
Because it’s an important part to keeping your engine running smoothly, it’s essential to take care of your antifreeze. It’s not too difficult a task and you can even save a few bucks by doing it yourself.
“Cooling system failure is the leading cause of engine-related breakdowns, which can cost thousands of dollars and leave you and your family stranded at the worst possible time.” – Rich White, Car Care Council (Carcare.org)
Antifreeze also works to prevent the evaporation of vital fluids – even during the winter. As you know, water evaporates quickly, but antifreeze does not. Antifreeze also acts as an important lubricant too. The hoses and other important parts of your vehicle’s engine rely on the proper circulation of antifreeze to keep them in good shape. Cold weather is hard on your car and all of its moving parts. Maintaining the proper mix of antifreeze within the cooling system is critical for maximizing the longevity of your vehicle.
One of the most overlooked, yet critical uses of antifreeze is to provide a comfortable environment for you and your passengers while operating your vehicle during cold weather. That’s right – antifreeze keeps the heat circulating through your interior vents and defrosters. Without the proper levels of antifreeze in your vehicle’s system, your heating system won’t maintain adequate temperatures to keep you warm on those chilly days and nights when you’re out and about traveling.
Winter is just now making its presence known here in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, and throughout all of the Inland Northwest. It’s a good idea to have your cooling system inspected to ensure it’s operating properly. Feel free to give us a call at 208-772-6081 to schedule an appointment for your cooling system inspection. Not only will we test your anti-freeze, but we’ll also check all of your hoses, clamps, heater core, thermostats, and the rest of the entire system to ensure it’s all working properly and efficiently.
