The sun is shining oh so brightly. The sky is blue and there is not a cloud in sight. And yes, temperatures are rising. All these can only mean one thing: the summer season is upon us.
Yes, it’s that time of the year when many of us hit the beach, head up to Baguio, Tagaytay, or some cool mountain getaway, or simply head out for a roadtrip. While all this is great, you must not forget to check on your ride, particularly its cooling system.
Whether you plan to head out of town or contend with urban gridlock, cooling system maintenance is probably one of the most basic things you can do to keep your car in tip-top shape this summer. With the internal combustion engine operating at very high temperatures, it is important to ensure that the system that keeps it from overheating is working properly.
So how do you do this? It’s actually quite simple. One of the most basic ways to do this is to regularly check the coolant level. Add fluid if need be with a 50:50 mix of water and coolant to ensure optimum cooling efficiency and system longevity.
It would also be a good idea to regularly flush out your vehicle’s radiator. Since the Philippines has a warm climate, the ideal interval would be from 18 months to every two years. Simply push a large amount of water through the system to remove dirt and other particles that have accumulated in the radiator over time. Once done, you can now top up with coolant and water mix.
Just like dirt building up inside the radiator, cooling system hoses also tend to experience wear and tear as they age. This is indicated by hoses and tubes becoming brittle and dry. There may even be leaks along the lines, letting out precious fluids. Simply replace the damaged hoses or tubes to ensure that your cooling system will work at its most optimum level.
You may likewise look to see if the fan is working and fan belt are in proper order. Visually inspect to see that there are no cracks, and replace if necessary.
While these may sound really simple, they can definitely go a long way in making sure that you enjoy your summer and don’t get stranded by the roadside with a steaming radiator.
