Your radiator and cooling apparatus is one of the most important parts of your car. I found this out the hard way by letting mine run dry. The sad thing is that the coolant is such an easy thing to check and maintain. Instead of waiting for your coolant to run dry and damaging your engine, here are some tips to help you avoid such a catastrophe.
• Look for the coolant reservoir underneath your hood. Most cars have a transparent container so you can see the level of coolant you have. Make sure you keep it filled to the appropriate line.
• Always check the level of the coolant after your car has been sitting for a long time. In other words, only check it when the engine is cool.
• Only add a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water to the container. You can buy pre-mixed solutions at any auto parts store or get pure coolant and mix it with water. Don’t use tap water, though, as some of the chemicals could harm the radiator.
• Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. The pressure could create a burst of water exploding through the opening and it could cause serious burns and injuries. This is sometimes true for coolant reservoirs. Read the owner’s manual for your particular model before unscrewing either lid.
• Don’t leave any coolant where pets or kids can get to it. It’s highly-toxic and can be fatal if ingested.
• Monitor your coolant level so you know if you have any leaks. If so, get it fixed as soon as possible. A slow leak could result in thousands of dollars of damage if not repaired right away.
Don’t let that new or used car from your local Pontiac dealer go to waste. Remember to check the coolant and keep it maintained so you can get many years of enjoyment from it. It only takes a minute, but that one minute can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
