Toyota_of_North_Charlotte

SPONSORED: Is your car having radiator issues?

auto maintenance

Your car works hard to get you where you’re going. And regardless of the temperature outside (although that can play a part), it requires a cooling system to keep things under the hood working efficiently. So you can imagine that when that cooling system goes on the fritz, it can wreak some serious havoc on your engine bay. Toyota of N Charlotte is here to talk about your car radiator, why it’s important in the grand scheme of performance, and how to spot issues in this very important part of your car’s cooling system.

Why is the car radiator such a VIP part?

First, let’s talk about what the car radiator does and why it plays such an important role under the hood. Basically, things in the engine bay need to be kept at or under a certain temperature to avoid overheating, under-performing, and damage to parts. The cooling system is made up of a lot of integral pieces – pumps, gaskets, hoses, thermostats, and more – that all work together to keep your car cool when it’s working hard. What part does the car radiator play?
Your car radiator sends coolant throughout the engine to help cool things and also cools the recycled coolant back down to a working temperature. It has to be kept at a temperature somewhere between 190 and 210 degrees; any warmer and the car is likely to overheat. When the car radiator has issues, coolant isn’t properly cooled before being routed through the engine, or it may not be routed through the engine at all.

Our Charlotte auto service techs give you warning signs of trouble

So, how do you know if your car radiator is having problems? Here are some of the telltale signs our Charlotte auto service techs recommended you look out for:
Leaks. Leaks can occur when this part has issues, and that means coolant is escaping the cooling system and your car isn’t getting regulated in terms of temperature. Make sure to have your car’s hoses and clamps checked regularly for wear and tear, and if you see green or blue fluid puddling under your car you likely have a coolant leak that should be addressed immediately at our Charlotte Toyota service center.
Rust. Your car radiator is prone to rust – the temperature of this part fluctuates so quickly that it gets a lot of moisture buildup which in turn leads to rust formation. Pop the hood and take a peek at things to ensure this important part doesn’t have any rust on it and if it does, have our Charlotte Toyota service techs assess the situation.
Mineral Buildup. Mineral deposit buildup can happen within the radiator hoses over time and this can lead to blockages. These blockages prevent the coolant from working its way through the system. Pay attention to your car’s temperature gauge and if you notice it getting hot, be sure to have your hoses checked.
Have questions or need to schedule Charlotte auto service for your car? Call us today – we’re open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025.