Too much heat presents a great challenge to motor vehicles. Thankfully, all vehicles have a measure to keep themselves cool. The car's engine has a cooling system aided by a coolant, a fluid that runs in the engine and transmits heat away from it.
The coolant should remain clean for it to function effectively. Dirty coolant must be flushed out and replaced with a fresh one.
But how do you know when your coolant needs flushing? To know this, be on the lookout for the following symptoms.
Your Vehicle Overheats
As stated above, the role of the coolant is to keep your engine temperatures low. If your temperature gauge is always on the higher side, it means the coolant is no longer performing its duty and needs flushing. An overheating engine can easily break down, resulting in costly repairs.
A Maple Syrup Smell From Your Car (Engine)
One sure sign that your coolant needs flushing is the smell of maple syrup, butterscotch, or pancakes coming from your engine. The ethylene glycol in the car's antifreeze has sweet-smelling properties.
When the coolant burns, it gives off the smell of maple syrup courtesy of the ethylene glycol in the antifreeze. So, whenever you get that sweet smell from your car, know that it needs your attention.
Coolant Flush? What Does It Mean?
As you use the coolant, it will become dirty and ineffective with time. Coolant flush simply means getting rid of this dirty coolant. Coolant flushing is done by a qualified mechanic.
The mechanic will first check your engine for any leaks and do the necessary repairs. He will assess your engine and determine whether it needs coolant flushing. He will also use special solutions to rid your engine of any rust, sludge, dirt, and debris that might have built up in your engine.
Finally, the mechanic will add fresh coolant and a conditioner that keeps it protected. After this service, the performance and cooling of your engine will improve remarkably.
Do not flush the coolant on your own. If you need a cooling system service, we invite you to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop today!