How do you know when your automobile is sick? You can use your senses, as we mentioned in our last blog post (click here to read “If it Looks, Smells, Sounds or Feels Like Car Trouble… .” There are usually certain specific symptoms you will notice with each system in your vehicle. When it comes to your car’s cooling system, there are four symptoms that can alert you to a potential problem.
Here are the four telltale signs your vehicle’s cooling system needs to be serviced:
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- Overheating
- You notice a sweet smell of antifreeze
- Leaks of yellowish-green, pastel blue or fluorescent orange fluid can be seen under the front of your vehicle.
- You are continually adding coolant to the radiator.
According to the Car Care Council, cooling system neglect can cause mechanical failure that may result in serious damage to the engine and/or transmission. This is because the key parts of the cooling system are designed to remove heat from the engine and automatic transmission. A worn radiator or cracked hoses can fail spewing coolant everywhere. With no fluid circulating to cool the engine, the car will overheat and serious damage may result.
Regular maintenance is important to preventing issues with your car’s cooling system. Your vehicle’s cooling system should be flushed and the antifreeze/coolant replaced annually. By flushing and replacing the fluid, you are helping the engine run cooler and removing sediment that could damage other cooling system parts.
It’s also a good idea to periodically inspect the radiator along with any hoses and belts associated with the cooling system. Radiator leaks, bulging hoses or frayed and cracked belts are clues that the cooling system is in need of maintenance.