Is It Time For A Brake Service?

Posted on: 29 April 2020

The radiator is a crucial component of your car engine's cooling system. It helps to cool the engine by passing hot coolant through a series of thin metal fins. The fins dissipate the heat away from your car to the air outside.

Given the indispensable role that your car radiator plays in ensuring efficient engine operation, it is important to keep it in top condition at all times. Maintaining your radiator the right way is crucial to keep it healthy and to prolong its lifespan. Consider the following tips for caring for your car radiator.

Keep Your Radiator Clean

Temperature controlled to provide cool airflow when the engine is running too hot, the radiator fan can blow dirt-laden air against the radiator component. If the dirt is left unattended, it can accumulate, restrict airflow, and increase the likelihood of engine overheating. 

Blowing radiator fins with compressed air can help to get rid of loose dirt particles that might be trapped there. In order to remove caked-on dirt that may hinder the proper flow of air, it's a good idea to regularly rinse the radiator exterior using a low-pressure garden hose. 

Avoid cleaning the radiator under high pressure to avoid damaging it. 

Maintain the Recommended Radiator Fluid Levels

Engine coolant is the vital working fluid that carries heat produced in your engine to the radiator for dissipation outside the car. Before hitting the road, always ensure that the coolant level in your car is at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can know how much coolant your vehicle has left by looking into the coolant reservoir. If there isn't enough, check for leaks before topping it up.

Flush Your Radiator Regularly

As a part of normal car cooling system servicing, you need to flush your radiator regularly to keep it healthy and operating at its peak. So what's a radiator flush? Generally, radiator flushing involves draining and replacing the coolant that runs through your radiator. This is done by adding a cleaning agent to the cooling system to remove any sediment hiding in the engine and then replenishing the coolant supply once all the solid material has been flushed out.

Timely radiator flushes will help maximise the performance and lifespan of your radiator and entire cooling system.

The above car maintenance tips should help to keep your car radiator and entire cooling system working properly for as long as possible. It is, however, important to keep in mind that radiators can wear down just like other components of your vehicle. In the case of complete radiator failure, a radiator replacement will be necessary. If you're having radiator problems, consider visiting a car service centre for assistance.