Keeping your car from overheating requires regular maintenance of car cooling system. Check out the preventive maintenance tips for a complex cooling system!!-Brought to you by PartsAvatar Car Body Parts Canada.

In order to keep your vehicle’s cooling system running at its peak efficiency, you should consider following tips for cooling system maintenance and replace car cooling system parts that have been worn at any auto parts store.

Coolant is the mix of water and antifreeze that circulates through the engine to draw off heat. If you don’t have enough coolant, it can’t keep your engine cool.

Choose right kind of coolant

Different models require different coolant formulation to protect against corrosion.

There are different types of car antifreeze and coolants in the market, each providing different benefits. A car can run on any type of antifreeze but there are few things you should consider when buying coolant.

You should consider how often you feel comfortable flushing out the coolant system and what kind of additives you want in the formula to help preserve the metal and prevent corrosion.

If you are still confused over your choice, then the best method is to go with the recommendation of your manufacturer i.e. follow car’s manual.

Check radiator pressure caps

Always check your car cooling system’s radiator cap and water outlet cap on your reserve tank and look for cracks and other damages on the bottom of the cap.

It is recommended to replace radiator caps when you change your car’s coolant unless radiator won’t be able to hold the proper pressure.

So make it a habit whenever you drain or flush the coolant.

Check hoses

You should check all the hoses and tubes that lead from rafiator to the water pump, thermostat and radiator overflow or reserve tank. Check the hoses for cracks or leaks.

If there is any sign of problem, the hose should be replaced with the correct part number and vehicle make and model. Even if you don’t observe any crack, you should change out the radiator hoses every three or four years.

After some years of use, radiator hose becomes dry and brittle and is subject to bursting or becoming damaged easily.

Check fluid levels

Check the fluid levels on regular basis. It’s a good habit to check the fluid level in your cooling system at least once a month. Make sure that the reserve tank is where it should be.

While adding fluid, make sure to add 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze.

Make sure the coolant is fresh. Over time and miles, the anti corrosion additives in the coolant are depleted and the coolant can actually start to eat away the cooling parts. Your owner’s manual can help you with recommended coolant replacement schedule and make sure you are getting right type of coolant for your car.

Checking belts

While in older models, the water pump is driven by either V belt or a serpentine belt on the front of the engine, in newer models, the water pump is often driven by timing belts.

Timing belt has a specific life expectancy at which time it must be replaced to insure that it does not fail. Since the timing belt is inside the engine and will require partial engine disassembly to inspect, it is very important to replace the timing belt at the scheduled interval.

Inspect the belts monthly. Replace belts that are worn, frayed or glazed. Adjust belts when more than ½ inch can be depressed between the pulleys.

Check radiator tank

Don’t forget the radiator tank. Visually inspect car’s radiator tank periodically and radiator overflow every few months or so. Most of the time cracks in the radiator or overflow tank began as very small pinholes or punctures that can easily repaired.

However, if left unattended, you may have to replace a radiator or overflow tank due to large hole that is difficult to repair.

Regularly flush the radiator

Your car’s radiator and cooling system needs to be clean to be cool. As time goes on, car’s radiator builds solid deposits that can clog the cooling system.

It is a very good idea to have your radiator system flushed before changing the coolant.

Here are simple steps of draining the radiator that you can follow. Make sure you have every necessary thing handy.

Drain the old coolant from the radiator. Once all the coolant has drained from the radiator, replace the drain plug and remove the radiator cap.

Add the contents of the radiator flush solution to the radiator, and then fill it to the top with water. Replace and tighten the radiator cap. Now start the car and let it run until it gets operating temperature.

Let the car run with the heater on for ten minutes. Turn the car off and let the engine cool down. Once the engine has cooled down, open the drain and completely empty the contents in the radiator.

Now you are almost finished. All you need to do is refill the radiator with fresh coolant. Be sure to use the type of coolant that is correct for your car’s cooling system.

Using a funnel, fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. With the radiator filled, go ahead and fill the plastic coolant reservoir if your car has separate openings, again a 50/50 mix.

Water plays an important role in protecting the cooling system. A high mineral content may cause scaling or corrosion. Make sure to use distilled water in the 50/50 solution.

Whatever your car’s model is, you must maintain its top performance and condition by using only heavy-duty and reliable Car parts and accessories from one of the best suppliers of Car parts- Parts Avatar Auto Replacement Parts.