Engine coolant is as important in the summer as it is in the winter

By Bill Snow, Owner/Operator of Rad Air Wickliffe

This month, greater Clevelanders can expect some of the hottest temperatures of the year. But while you flock to the beaches, pools and ice cream trucks to stay cool, you may also want to think about keeping your car’s temperature in a safe zone.

Antifreeze, or engine coolant, does double-duty functions, keeping your radiator from freezing in extreme cold temps, and overheating in extreme hot temps. It should be checked with every oil change to make sure it’s at the proper level. In general, we recommend having it drained and replaced every five years or 60,000 miles.

Engine coolant is chemically balanced to fight rust inside your engine. If your coolant becomes dirty, its effectiveness is greatly diminished.

It’s important to note that there are lots of different types of antifreeze, with specific ones matched to specific vehicles. They come in different colors—green, orange and yellow—which should never be mixed.

Especially with older cars, since coolant technology has evolved over the years, it’s important to use the right one.

In addition to changing your engine coolant, it’s important to always check the condition of your radiator, hoses, and serpentine belt.

Bill Snow grew up working on race cars and ran a shop while in college. After being in the corporate world for years, he decided to get back to the car industry and bought the local Rad Air Complete Car Care and Tire Center. It’s located at 29257 Anderson Road, in Wickliffe. Call 440-943-9666 or visit RadAir.com for more information.