Since the cooling system is such a crucial part of your car’s operation, we’d like to take a minute to help you understand how to keep it properly maintained.

Most Colorado drivers know how unpredictable our weather conditions can be.

To shed some light on how important the cooling system is, the ASE-certified technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette have found the most common parts of your cooling system needing extra attention. By staying on top of cooling system maintenance, you can avoid unnecessary repairs and breakdowns.

What parts make up the cooling system?

Your cooling system comprises multiple parts, including:

• The water pump
• Anti-freeze (or coolant)
• Radiator
• Radiator hoses and heater hoses
• Thermostat
• Several pipes and fans

The following four parts of the cooling system require extra care.

1. Belts

The water pump operates with the help of an accessory belt or a timing belt. If the belt wears down too far or breaks, it won’t run the pump. By maintaining this belt, our specialists make sure your cooling system is working at full capacity.

2. Hoses and Pipes

The cooling system’s hoses are made of a firm, yet flexible rubber. With today’s modern coolant, we don’t see as many hose failures as in the past. However, the hoses can become too soft or extremely hard over time. If the hoses are soft, they can easily collapse inwards when the water pump circulates water. If they are hard, they may cause the pipes to crack and burst. It’s essential to check the hoses and pipes with every oil change.

3. Thermostat

The thermostat helps maintain your engine’s normal operating temperature. It also provides warmth for your car’s heater. Thermostats are constantly moving parts, opening and closing frequently to regulate the temperature. Over time, they wear out or corrode and need replacing.

4. Fluid

Finally, our ASE-certified technicians check the quality and level of the coolant. If the liquid is low, it may indicate a leak. This could again lead to corrosion in addition to harmful chemicals being released into the environment. Coolant also breaks down over time, affecting the quality. If the coolant is low quality, it could become acidic and rust the engine’s metal.

See the Nice Difference in cooling system service

At Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette, we look at the entire system to make sure everything is working together as efficiently as possible.

This is the perfect time of year for a cooling system inspection. Call Christian Brothers Automotive in Lafayette, Colorado to schedule an appointment today!