Cooling System
Your car’s cooling system helps keep your engine at optimum operating temperatures. Engines produce a considerable amount of heat which could warp or damage various components and systems – damage that results in very expensive repairs. If your engine is too cold, its components will wear out more quickly and it will tend to emit more pollutants. Your cooling system ensures that the engine heats quickly and then remains at a steady temperature thereafter for efficient performance. The cooling system’s primary objective, however, is to provide protection against engine overheating. Car engines produce a lot of heat, and the cooling system dissipates that heat into the air in order to keep your engine at a constant and optimal temperature.
Check Your Antifreeze & Radiator: Maintenance & Service
Regular maintenance of your radiator and antifreeze is a small investment that prevents major repairs. Your radiator should be cleaned of the deposits that may build up inside since these deposits can clog the hoses and other components of the cooling system and cause your engine to overheat. Engine antifreeze/coolant may also degrade due to high operating temperatures, becoming corrosive and lead to failure of hoses, thermostats, radiators, water pumps, and heater cores. Loss of antifreeze/coolant can cause engine overheating, and hence engine failure. Insufficient antifreeze strength can result in freezing ruptures and hard starting problems in the winter. Your Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centre mechanic will ensure that all components of your cooling system are clean and working correctly.
If your dashboard gauge shows your engine temperature running higher than normal or if you find puddles of antifreeze under your car, it’s time to visit Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres for cooling system repair at our Vancouver, BC, or Alberta-area garages. Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centre technicians are trained to inspect engine antifreeze/coolant quality and to diagnose any leaks and associated potential problems. Drive in to your nearest Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centre location for preventive maintenance, repairs and replacements of engine antifreeze/coolant and cooling system components.
FAQs
Due to high engine operating temperatures, coolant will deteriorate over time. This deterioration causes the coolant to become acidic, thereby resulting in internal corrosion of cooling system components. Fortunately, most manufacturers now install long-life coolant that can last up to 5 years or 250,000 km. On a periodic basis, it is always prudent to check coolant levels, and replenish to the “fill” line when necessary. One thing to keep in mind is that there are various types of coolant on the market and, unless you’re flushing the coolant tank and replacing its entire contents (your owner’s manual will tell you how often this should be done), you need to make sure you use the exact same type when refilling. Bring your vehicle to Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centre and we’ll make sure all your fluids are properly topped off.
Not necessarily. Your fan is controlled by your vehicle’s computer, and is programmed to switch on whenever a certain temperature is reached. It’s a safety measure. However, if you do notice that the engine temperature climbs faster than usual, and/or your engine coolant fan is coming on more often than it used to, this is a sign that something is wrong (e.g. thermostat failure, low coolant level, etc.). Bring your vehicle to Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centre and we will properly diagnose the problem.
No. While the AC is designed to keep your vehicle’s cabin cool, it has an adverse effect on your engine. Your engine works harder while the AC is on, which causes it to heat up quicker, so you’ll notice that your engine cooling fan comes on more often when in use.
There are several factors that could be causing your cooling system to malfunction, such as a coolant fluid leak, a thermostat problem, loose fan belt, problems with your water pump, a dirty radiator, or simply low coolant levels. The one thing all of these have in common is the need for immediate service. You do not want to put your engine through prolonged overheating, as the consequences can be serious and even dangerous. Pull into your nearest Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centre location or, if you’re stuck on the side of the road, call and we’ll take over from there.
Trust the experts at Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres
Stay cool. Drive confident
Related posts

Read More
The Cost of an Auto Tune-Up: What to Expect and How to Budget?
When was the last time you thought about scheduling a tune-up for your car? For most people, it’s not top of mind until something starts to feel off.

Read More
Manual vs. Electronic Parking Brakes: Which One Is Better?
Just like transmissions, parking brakes have gone through substantial technological changes over the years.

Read More
How to Properly Use Your Emergency Brake: Tips for New Drivers
Learning to drive comes with a lot of new responsibilities, and it is fundamental for new drivers to understand the basics of emergency brakes.