Is a coolant flush important to preventative maintenance?
A coolant flush is an essential to preventive maintenance. The coolant flush removes debris that can clog the the lines that carries the antifreeze to the engine in order to keep the engine cool. If the engine overheats, it's imperative to have it serviced right away. Driving an overheated car can cause significant, expensive engine damage.
COMMON SYMPTOMS YOUR CAR NEEDS A COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH
Low coolant or check engine light
Overheating - this occurs when deposits in the cooling system interfere with the steady flow of antifreeze to your engine.
WHY IS A COOLANT FLUSH SO IMPORTANT?
There are several key benefits of cooling system service, the most important being it keeps your engine running smoothly and prevents it from overheating and breaking down. More specifically, a cooling system service: Flushes oil buildup, scale and rust from your system
- Protects your engine from boiling over in the heat of the summer
- Protects your engine from freezing up in winter
- Enhances the longevity of your cooling system by preventing corrosion and rust
Most manufacturers recommend that you change the radiator fluid (the mixture of antifreeze coolant and water) every 24,000 to 36,000 miles or 24 to 36 months. Depending on your driving habits, you may need to flush your coolant more often – we recommend every 1-2 years.
Be leery of “extended life” coolants that tout 100,000 mile lifespans – even these can accumulate rust and contaminants that threaten your engine life. These impurities could add up and cause bigger problems before you reach the 100,000 mile check. Even with “extended life” fluids, you should have these coolants checked frequently.
