How To Keep Your Radiator Safe Through The Heat

Image of a car engine overheating, as shown with the hood open and close focus on the hoses.

With summer in full swing and temperatures at record highs in places across the country, your vehicle is most likely struggling to keep its temperature down. If you are thinking about going on a road trip or are starting to commute again after quarantine, you need to make sure that you take care of your vehicle’s internal systems first. One of your car’s first lines of defense against the heat is its radiator. A healthy and functioning radiator takes coolant heated by the engine and runs it through a series of thin tubes, which utilize the air passing by your vehicle to cool off the liquid inside. If you have noticed your vehicle starting to overheat when you are doing your regular drives, you need to bring in your vehicle before it’s too late. You can easily have your radiator serviced during your next oil change or regular maintenance at one of your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today. Here are three tips to make sure that your radiator is ready to handle all the heat of summer.

Use The Right Coolant

Every vehicle is different, and much like engine oil, coolant comes in many different grades for different uses. Certain types of vehicles can be extremely particular about the specific type of coolant that you should use. Aluminum and copper or brass radiators are extremely particular about coolant types, and using the wrong coolant can actively damage your vehicle. Our team of expert and certified service technicians are knowledgeable about engines and radiators and will make sure your vehicle has the perfect coolant to keep it safe through even the hottest days.

Flush Your Radiator Annually

Corrosion will happen in your vehicle regardless of how well you maintain it. From visible rust to debris and corrosion in internal systems, corrosion can be extremely dangerous for your vehicle. For radiators, rust and debris will eventually find their way into your system, and if your coolant isn’t changed regularly, your radiator could become completely clogged up and even can become dangerously pressurized. We recommend changing your coolant out annually, but if you notice any drastic increase in engine temperature, you should have your radiator checked immediately.

Don’t Overload Your Vehicle

Your vehicle can only stand up to so much strain, and your owner’s manual will generally have a section on towing capacity and weight limits. It is extremely important for you to know your vehicle’s limits and to never go past those. Overloading or overexerting your vehicle can not only cause extreme strain, it can cause catastrophic failure in your engine or transmission. Make sure that you pay attention to the limits of your vehicle and stay under those limits, especially for longer durations like road trips.

If you are interested in taking care of all our vehicle’s needs in one quick trip, stop into one of your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today.