All Topics > Cars > Miscellaneous > 10 Cool Weather Coolant Tips >

10 Cool Weather Coolant Tips Ohio

Baby, it may be cold outside, but inside your car’s engine it’s hot as blazes. Even when temperatures dip, your vehicle’s coolant system works hard to keep the engine cool and running smoothly. It’s important to take care of your cooling system, whatever the weather.

Local Companies

A-Jays Reconditioning Co.
(513) 617-3600
5695 Whistling Wind Lane
Milford, OH

Glendale Body Shop Inc.
(513) 851-0077
11017 Ashburn Road
Cincinnati, OH

Gorrepati Service Systems dba Car-X Auto Service
(513) 825-2660
11843 Kempersprings Drive
Cincinnati, OH

Ulmer's Autocare
(513) 624-2641
6389 Salem Road
Cincinnati, OH

Jim Miller Automotive
(513) 575-3122
1320 State Route 28
Loveland, OH

Engel's Auto Service Inc.
(513) 385-8246
4724 Springdale Road
Cincinnati, OH

Countryside Towing
(513) 856-8575
5959 Kyles Station
Hamilton, OH

C. Colyer & Sons Truck Service Inc.
(513) 563-0663
11536 Reading Road
Cincinnati, OH

Applegate Truck Fleet Repair Inc.
(513) 769-1955
11906 Reading Road
Sharonville, OH

Three J's Wreck Tech
(513) 860-1313
9019 Princeton Glendale Road
Hamilton, OH

(ARA) – Baby, it may be cold outside, but inside your car’s engine it’s hot as blazes. Even when temperatures dip, your vehicle’s coolant system works hard to keep the engine cool and running smoothly. It’s important to take care of your cooling system, whatever the weather.

Antifreeze helps keep a car engine running smoothly, despite the temperature outside. When a car engine starts, coolant is pumped around the engine to either warm it up or cool it down. In addition to keeping the car at the ideal temperature, many antifreeze products on the market today, such as PEAK Long Life Antifreeze and Coolant, also have extra additives to help prevent corrosion and expensive engine breakdowns.

Because it's an important part to keeping your engine running smoothly, it’s essential to take care of your antifreeze. It’s not too difficult a task and you can even save a few bucks by doing it yourself. Here are 10 easy steps to get you started.1. Clean the radiator. As you drive, the cooling system of your car sucks in air, bugs, dirt, leaves and other debris along with it. It’s important to clean the radiator so air can easily pass through it.

2. Place a drip pan under the car. Antifreeze is not meant for ingestion, either by humans or animals. Using a drip pan will allow for easy disposal and keep the environment safe.

3. Remove the radiator pressure cap. When the engine has cooled, place a rag on the radiator cap and twist off. You’ll need to press down firmly with the heel of your hand, and perform two quarter turns to the left -- one to unlock it, and another to remove the cap.

4. Inspect the pressure cap and hoses. The radiator cap helps keep the coolant properly pressurized. If the cap is rusting or dried out, replace it with a new one. Also look at the radiator hoses and check for leaks, cracks or soft and mushy conditions. Replace if necessary.

5. Drain the radiator. On the bottom of radiator, release the valve and let the fluid spill into the pre-placed drip pan. Pour the drained antifreeze into a container that meets disposal regulations for your area.

6. Flush the radiator and cooling system. This may be the easiest and most fun step of the process. Simply take out the garden hose and flush out the system. For the first “flush”, collect the rinse and dispose of it with the used antifreeze. Continue rinsing until the drained water is clear.

7. Add the coolant and water mixture. The ideal mix is 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent distilled water. You can either mix them by filling the radiator half way with one and topping it off with the other, or pre-mix the two together in a separate container.

8. Bleed the system. Replacing the coolant often creates air pockets in the fluids that should be removed before going out for a drive. To even out the levels, run the engine for about 15 minutes. At the same time, turn the heat on high to help circulate the coolant. Upon completion, carefully check the coolant levels and top them off if needed.

9 Replace the pressure cap. Line up the tabs on the cap with the cutouts of the fill spout and press down firmly. Twist the cap to the right to secure it.

10. Clean up. Coolant is essentially a toxic chemical, so it is important to clean up appropriately. Use a hose to dilute any spills and dispose of the old antifreeze according to your area’s EPA guidelines.

When all is said and done, changing your own antifreeze should take a couple hours and could save you up to $50. For more details about which antifreeze is best for your car visit www.peakantifreeze.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Featured Local Company

A-Jays Reconditioning Co.

(513) 617-3600
5695 Whistling Wind Lane
Milford, OH

Read more about 10 Cool Weather Coolant Tips

- Car Heater Problems Ohio

The following contains automobile information you should know about how to troubleshoot a car heater to fix a problem. Read on if you or a loved one is interested in auto services and parts.

- Auto Maintenance Budget Ohio
- Spring Tune-Up for Car Ohio
- Flushing a Radiator and Coolant System Ohio
- Do It Yourself AC Recharging Ohio
- Prestone Premixed LongLife Antifreeze Ohio
- How To Drive Safely In Bad Weather Ohio
- Get ready for a roadtrip Ohio
- Car Cooling and Heating Issues Ohio
- Volvo Radiators Ohio

Regional Articles

- Auto Maintenance Budget Ohio

In today's economy, everyone is looking for ways to stretch their dollars. Spending money on auto maintenance is a fact of life for most Canadians, but here are a few quick money saving tips that will really make a difference in your annual budget.

- Prestone Premixed LongLife Antifreeze Ohio
- Car Cooling and Heating Issues Ohio
- Car Heater Problems Ohio
- Do It Yourself AC Recharging Ohio
- Get ready for a roadtrip Ohio
- Flushing a Radiator and Coolant System Ohio
- How To Drive Safely In Bad Weather Ohio
- Volvo Radiators Ohio
- Spring Tune-Up for Car Ohio

Related Local Events

Cincinnati Auto Expo
Dates: 2/19/2010 - 2/22/2010
Location: Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
View Details

Cruisin' by the Bay Classic Car Show
Dates: 9/11/2009 - 9/12/2009
Location: Washington Parks
Sandusky, OH
View Details

Volksfest 19
Dates: 8/8/2009 - 8/8/2009
Location: Watkins Memorial High School
Pataskala, OH
View Details

Cincinnati Mini Grand Prix
Dates: 6/27/2009 - 6/28/2009
Location: Third and Central avenues
Cincinnati, OH
View Details

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History