It is hot outside and you think you can escape the heat by getting in your car and going somewhere. Unfortunately, you don’t get far before you find out that your car only blows hot air and steam rolls out from under your hood. Been there done that before? Many of us have. Perhaps you already know that the main component of your cooling system is the radiator that sits right in front of the engine, but did you know that it also requires maintenance?

The radiator transfers the heat from the fluid inside to the air outside, thereby cooling the engine. It is mounted where it receives airflow from the forward movement of the vehicle. Radiators are the essential component of your vehicle’s cooling system. Your cooling system is what keeps your vehicle from having a meltdown. Without some way to cool off, your engine would turn into a block of useless metal in no time at all. All the parts that make up the cooling system have one goal — moving coolant around the engine so it can absorb and dissipate heat. The radiator is the most prominent part of the system. It receives the coolant that has traveled through the engine and is now hot, pumps it through the tubes of the radiator, and cools the fluid off for another round.

Most people know the green stuff in the radiator keeps the engine from turning into a block of ice in the winter, but it also helps keep things cool in the summer. Radiator coolant actually raises the boiling point of the water, allowing it to carry more heat away from the engine and that means a cooler running engine. If you are running low on coolant things can get steamy fast. It only takes a second to check your coolant level. Most cars have an opaque coolant overflow tank right next to the radiator. There are markings on the side indicating low and high levels of coolant. Always check your coolant level when the car is cold. If the level is low, it’s time to top it off. The engine takes a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. You can measure and mix it yourself or you can buy the premixed coolant that is simply ready to pour.

Radiator problems often start slowly due to clogging from rust and debris. This reduces the radiator’s ability to transfer heat and it reduces the effectiveness of the cooling system too. A clean radiator is a cool running radiator. For maintenance, your radiator requires a flush, usually once a year. This flush will clean out the rust and other debris that could create a problem. Ask your local auto repair center about a radiator flush to help insure your cooling system is clean. Remember, dealing with your radiator when your car is running or still warm from running is dangerous due to very hot liquid.

As with any vehicle maintenance, your radiator maintenance should be up to date and done on schedule. Forgetting or letting it slide till next year might cause you far more headache and cost than simply doing it on time. It’s far easier to do the maintenance than to replace the entire radiator or engine of your vehicle. And, you certainly don’t want to be left sitting on the side of the road while your engine takes a steam bath.