How Does Antifreeze Work And How Does Water Effect Anti-Freeze

Antifreeze and coolant are two commonly confused concepts. Ethylene glycol in antifreeze is only one part of today's car coolant delivery systems. Water is what takes care of most of the cooling in your engine. A coolant mixture is basically water and propylene glycol antifreeze.

There are many antifreeze additives to help with corrosion protection and lubrication. Always check with your coolant additive warranty before using one. Follow the antifreeze manufacturer's instructions for temperature ranges and mixture to match your climate. Or ask your Parts Pro which antifreeze is correct for your vehicle.

Locating the engine coolant sensor, coolant expansion tank and coolant heater on your car is a great thing to know-this will let you perform periodic visual inspection before any radiator flush and fill services.

Symptoms of a bad engine coolant temperature sensor are when your temperature gauge rises or drops erratically or when your radiator fan won't shut off.

During visual inspection, look for warning signs that should not be ignored as:

• Low coolant light
• Leaking hoses or pipes
• Smell of antifreeze in car
• Noisy coolant pump
• Corroded or leaking radiator
• Coolant in exhaust
• Antifreeze leaking into oil

Also, test your radiator cap to make sure it is working properly

How To Flush Coolant From A Radiator? And Why You Should Do It At Least Once A Year!

The coolant in your radiator isn't just playing it cool. Coolant protects against freezing. This is why it is commonly referred to as antifreeze. Coolant also protects against corrosion and helps lubricate your water pump.

Some types of engine coolant need to be replaced yearly to avoid maximum engine temperature damage, which can be costly to your cooling system. Thoroughly flush the radiator system for maximum efficiency when it's time to replace coolant. Using radiator flush kits can be of some help but always at an added cost.

Check with your Parts Pro or the in-store services like Mitchell On Demand for information on other important car care projects.

How To Flush Your Radiator

Remember: Prevent spills by using catch pans and trays during antifreeze disposal. Beware of antifreeze poisoning for humans, animals and the environment. Antifreeze recycling where available is good practice. Never remove a hot radiator cap.

Find the right catch container for your vehicle. Be prepared for at least two gallons of coolant. The vehicle should be cool and secure. Apply the parking brake or use wheel chocks.

Carefully remove the radiator cap. Open the drain petcock on the bottom of your radiator*. Move the catch container as coolant flows to prevent spillage. Drain and clean reservoir overflow according to manufacturer's instructions.

If your coolant looks like this, you or the previous owner waited way too long and your system will require a chemical flush. If your coolant is still green, orange or yellow you can skip step 4.

Close petcock and pour in the radiator flush chemical. Add water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Start and run the engine until warm, then repeat step 2.

With the radiator and overflow empty, install the flush kit "T" fitting according to the manufacturer's instructions. Connect the hose. Drain the attachment. Back flush with the hose until the water runs clear. Drain the radiator. Close the petcock.

Follow the coolant mixing instructions and fill radiator to one inch below the filler neck. Look for the filler line. Start and run the vehicle without the radiator cap, and top off as the engine warms up. Reinstall the radiator cap.

Fill reservoir to proper line.

*You might have to remove the lower radiator hose. Check your vehicle repair manual, or visit your PartSource store for Mitchell On Demand. Or ask your Parts Pro. They're always happy to help.

Before You Start Any Job, Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different, so when it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Make sure you've got all your tools and supplies before you begin - the last thing you want to do is go shopping when you've got the car on the jack.

Safety should be your number one priority, so don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

Don't work with a Philips when it calls for flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or a vehicle's performance.

And finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, please do not attempt it yourself. Talk to a Parts Pro or seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.