Engine coolant – a mixture of water and antifreeze – flows through your car’s radiator and engine to prevent over-heating. It also prevents the water in your vehicle from freezing in the winter. But why is it so important to keep it topped up?
First of all, if you don’t, your car will cut out. Most cars have a safety feature that causes the vehicle to cut out if it runs out of coolant. This would be very inconvenient, but it does prevent any severe damage occurring. Older cars, however, may not have this feature, and the damage can result in more costs than the car is worth in some cases. So, what are the signs that your car has run out of coolant and may be overheating?
Dashboard lights – These are probably the first sign something is wrong, and your engine is overheating. So, make sure you don’t ignore it! Once a dashboard light appears, tend to the issue as soon as you can. The longer you leave it there, the less likely you are to feel it is an urgent issue, meaning more significant problems could arise.
Steam from the hood – Perhaps this seems like an obvious one, but it is definitely not one to ignore! If this happens, pull over as soon as possible, turn your car off and call for assistance.
You haven’t checked the coolant level recently – if you can’t remember the last time you checked it, it’s likely to be running low.
If you are in any doubt about the type of coolant your car requires (there are four different types), you should ask at your local car retail outlet. It really is a simple task that can prevent a very serious and costly problem. A broken engine could end up being the most expensive thing on your car to repair, so why take the risk?
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