What is the purpose for a cooling system flush?
Your cooling system is what keeps your vehicle from getting too hot and overheating. The system works by taking a mixture of water and coolant then circulating through the engine. The coolant mixture over time can sometimes become contaminated which is the reason why these cooling system flushes are imperative to prevent clogging and damage of the cooling system components.
Fluids in your vehicle play an extremely important role in its operation and safety. Fluids lubricate and protect various systems and components. When the fluids are low or their protective qualities have deteriorated, you often invite serious and expensive breakdowns. Here are some of the important fluids in vehicles that need attention:
Engine Oil
Most people are very aware of the importance of engine oil. When the engine oil is low engine friction is increased. Left unchecked this can cause serious and very expensive damage. Engines can cost several $1,000’s to repair or replace.
Radiator Coolant/Anti-freeze
Because engines become very hot, they must be cooled. Cars have a cooling system that involves a coolant that streams through various parts of the engine and radiator. When this fluid becomes old and it’s protective characteristics have deteriorated, engines overheat and parts can wear out quickly. It is important to regularly check your coolant level and the quality of the coolant. When the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends it, you should have the cooling system flushed and replaced with fresh fluids. This ensures proper cooling and protection to many components in your car.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Your car’s automatic transmission fluid breaks down with each mile driven. Once this fluid becomes less effective, your risk very expensive damage to your car. Automatic Transmissions can cost $4,000+ to repair or replace on many of today’s vehicles. An occasional automatic transmission fluid flush is very affordable and should be performed at least every two years for most vehicles.
Brake Fluid ABS System
Brake fluid can become very corrosive and cause important safety components in your vehicle to wear. It is important to perform a brake fluid flush periodically to ensure that your brake fluid is within the optimum range for protection. Each vehicle’s interval for this flush varies and our service advisors can help you determine when this is needed with a simple fluid check.
Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid can also wear over time. The wear also can reduce the protective qualities of the fluid and it can become corrosive to parts within the steering system. A steering fluid flush can improve the feel of your steering system and make if feel like it did from the factory.
Air Conditioning Refrigerant
Your air conditioning system uses a refrigerant, like Freon®, to cool the car’s passenger compartment. This refrigerant can leak out and evaporate for a variety of reasons. When this happens, the AC does not work well and your comfort is reduced.