Have you noticed that your vehicle’s temperature gauge always seems to be high? On the other hand, maybe you’ve seen smoke coming out from under the hood at some point, or you’ve heard thumping or ticking noises whilst driving out on the road? Whatever the case, if you’ve experienced any of the aforementioned symptoms, then it’s likely that your vehicle needs a coolant flush service. But what exactly does something like this entail?
First, let’s cover some of the basics:
What is Coolant and How Does it Work?
Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a special substance that is used within your vehicle in order to reduce or regulate the temperature of the engine. There are a variety of coolant liquids available, each containing different additives which can cause the substance to appear red, yellow, pink, green or blue in colour. It’s generally easy to differentiate a coolant leak from an oil leak because of its colourful appearance, along with its sweet aroma.
Your cooling system is responsible for circulating this liquid through the pipes and passageways of your vehicle, allowing it to absorb heat and cool down the engine. Aside from regulating temperature, coolant also helps to lubricate and prevent rusting of your engine’s components.
Why Coolant Needs to Be Flushed
A coolant flush is necessary from time to time because as the fluid ages, it’s additives will begin to break down. When this occurs, your coolant becomes much less effective at doing its job in reducing and regulating engine temperature. Sometimes, old coolant may even get boiled off. As mentioned previously, coolant also helps to prevent rusting of your engine’s parts. Needless to say, failing to flush your coolant at the recommended intervals can also increase the chances of rust developing within your engine.
What Happens During a Coolant Flush?
A coolant flush can be performed by a trusted mechanic during a major car service or even as a standalone service. First, they will drain the coolant currently in your vehicle by removing the drainage valve. Once all the coolant is drained out, they will then insert a washer liquid mixed with distilled water. Next, they will turn your vehicle on for 10-15 minutes so that the coolant will be able to circulate around your vehicle. This will work to remove any dirt or debris currently residing within your cooling system. After that, they will drain your radiator once more, before topping your vehicle up with fresh coolant liquid.
The Benefits of Doing a Coolant Flush
A coolant flush can work to improve your vehicle’s functioning and performance in the following ways:
- Removes Harmful Deposits: Dirt and debris are common in the radiator and hoses, and can lead to more serious problems such as clogs and consequently, engine damage. A flush will work to remove these harmful deposits.
- Lubrication and Rust-Prevention: As your coolant gets older, it becomes more ineffective at lubricating your engine’s components and preventing rust. On the other hand, replacing the coolant will help you to preserve the state of your engine’s components.
- Prevent Overheating: The main function of coolant is to regulate your engine’s temperature and prevent it from overheating. Through flushing your coolant at the recommended intervals, you can ensure to keep your engine in its best condition possible and prevent overheating, as well as expensive repairs or replacements.
Book Your Coolant Flush with European Prestige Auto Service
At European Prestige Auto Service, we’re dedicated towards helping you to preserve your luxury European vehicle. We provide everything from standard routine maintenance to more complicated services such as engine rebuilding, gearbox updates and transmission service. Needless to say, if your vehicle is in need of a coolant flush, then you can always trust in our highly skilled and experienced mechanics to handle it with the utmost efficiency and care.
Call us now to book your coolant flush with European Prestige Auto Service!
