The cooling system in your vehicle is incredibly important to the longevity of the engine. Without help dissipating heat that builds up, the engine would eventually overheat and cause a large array of problems. An overheated engine is one of the top ways an engine can fail. From blown gaskets to warped components, the damage done by heat can sometimes be irreversible. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen to you is with regular cooling-system maintenance.
Coolant cycles around the engine and absorbs heat in the process. The hot coolant then passes through the radiator and radiates the heat into the environment. When temperatures are hot enough, the fans turn on to help the radiator reduce heat even further. The water pump pushes the coolant through the system, and the thermostat helps control the flow of the coolant. In all, the cooling-system is very effective at keeping heat produced by the engine down to minimal levels.
Your system depends on coolant to absorb heat from the engine. The coolant itself needs to be clean, topped off, and of good quality. The supporting components also need to be checked visually. A trained eye can spot potential problems with coolant hoses, the radiator, water pump, fans, or the thermostat. As long as you keep these components work well, the system will run as designed.
Engine oil plays a huge role in keeping engine temperatures down. Friction causes heat, and oil is responsible for keeping friction inside the engine at a minimum. When the oil is fresh and clean, it lubricates best. When there is a lack of oil or poor-quality oil in the engine, temperatures are higher and the system must work harder to compensate.
