Don’t Lose Your Cool in the Heat of Summer

How does a cooling system work?

Engines get hot. And that’s okay – unless they get too hot. Excessive heat can cause serious problems, including a warped head and blown head gasket – or even a seized engine. None of that has to happen if your car’s cooling system is operating properly.

Cooling systems consist of these major components:

Radiator
Radiator cap
Water pump
Cooling fans (one or two)
Thermostat
Coolant (often called antifreeze)
Overflow tank

Here’s how the system keeps your engine from overheating

Coolant is pumped from the radiator through hoses and passages within the CENTRIC AUTO REPAIR OVER HEATING copyengine block and the cylinder head. As it flows, the fluid absorbs heat from the engine. The heated coolant then circulates back to the radiator where it flows through a series of tubes.

The heat from the coolant is transferred to the flow of air being drawn through the radiator by the fan. The thermostat is a kind of “gate” located between the engine and the radiator. If the coolant is not too warm, the thermostat stays closed so that the coolant flows back through the engine. This detour helps the engine reach operating temperature faster. If the coolant is hot, the thermostat opens, diverting the coolant to the radiator for cooling before it returns to the engine.

This entire system is under pressure, and that’s where the radiator cap comes in. It is more than just a cover, it is a relief valve. When the pressure exceeds a specified setting, the valve opens to allow coolant into an overflow tank.

Coolant is a mix of water and ethylene glycol which keeps it from freezing. But even in summer, coolant is superior to water because it contains chemicals to help reduce corrosion.

Keep your cool
As summer heats up, be sure to come in and have us check your cooling system. We want to help make sure that your road trips are not interrupted by an overheated engine.

Take Action!

Call us at (760) 490-0487 and schedule a fast appointment to run a report of your vehicle’s manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule, recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins and Rapid Response Bulletins. We have access to all the information provided by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

Please note that you can schedule appointments online with us in seconds, or sign up to receive email maintenance reminders to help you manage your vehicle’s care. Please visit our website at CENTRICAUTO.procarcarezone.com to create your personal car care page or schedule an appointment today!