Now that we are well into the summer months, the days are surely going to be getting hotter. Traffic jams may get worse (especially near the beaches) and your day could become very unpleasant if your car’s cooling system is not up to the task!

Here is some good information that will help you to understand what is actually happening under the hood.

Vehicles are designed to remove heat out from the engine through the cooling system and ultimately out of the radiator.

When all is working normally a thermostat prevents the coolant from reaching the radiator up to a predetermined temperature.  Above that point the thermostat opens and coolant flows through the radiator where air flow or a cooling fan moves the air which pushes the heat away into the atmosphere.

Over time, the coolant in the system breaks down, becomes contaminated and can even corrode the inside of the engine and radiator. The cure to this is coolant  testing and replacement as needed but not later than at factory recommended intervals. Check your owner manual for the cooling system service schedule or we’ll do it for you during a normal service. Remember you have “people’ for that.

After 5 years or 50,000 miles it has been our observation that cooling system hoses and belts can also be due for replacement.  These items too are checked during routine service at Gustafson Brothers.

Have a safe and happy summer.

Until next month . . . .

Ken