What’s so special about my coolant system?

Someone refilling their coolant

One of the most important parts of your engine is your coolant system, yet it’s often overlooked when it comes to car maintenance. Your coolant system provides a wide range of benefits so, to find out what makes it so special and why you should be taking better care of it, check out this handy guide.

What is a coolant system?

Most modern cars use a liquid coolant system which contains a mixture of water and anti-freeze, in a ratio of 50/50. Some use a gas coolant system, but this is rarer amongst modern cars. Your coolant system pumps this liquid around your engine, targeting the cylinders and radiator in particular. This is because its purpose is to transfer a lot of the heat out of the system which, in turn, provides a range of benefits to your driving experience.

The benefits of a well-maintained coolant system:

Stop the engine from overheating and freezing

In extremely hot or cold weather, your coolant system is critical to maintaining a constant working temperature within your engine. Extreme weather affects your engine the most because it needs a stable temperature to work efficiently and effectively. The cooling system uses antifreeze and pressure to increase the boiling point of the water to help resist the high temperature an engine runs at. This then allows it to better transfer heat, through the process of conduction, into the coolant liquid. After the engine has warmed up, this process kicks in to maintain the constant temperature needed for optimum performance.

Reduce electrolysis

This is another vital step to maintain your engine. If your coolant is not well mixed or maintained, it can corrode some components by becoming acidic in nature. This process can cost hundreds of pounds in costly repairs, so make sure you maintain your coolant system as per your manufacturer’s instructions.

Why is this so special?

In short, it’s a process that has far more positives than negatives. Any cost you might experience by choosing a high-quality coolant are repaid through the extended lifespan of your engine and the lack of any costly repairs you would otherwise have to fork out for.

When to book a coolant change

Your coolant system needs to be regularly maintained to keep working effectively. Here at Antwis Engineering, we recommend booking a coolant change between every 24,000 and 30,000 miles, depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations. We offer a high-quality service at our garage in Sevenoaks at an incredibly reasonable price. If you can’t remember the last time your coolant was changed, why not book one online today?