Many Missouri drivers confuse the AC system the cooling system. To clear up the confusion, the ASE-certified technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive Springfield are here to teach you the basics on this essential system.

What is the cooling system?

The engine cooling system is made up of several parts, including:

• The water pump
• Anti-freeze (or coolant)
• Upper radiator hose
• Radiator
• Lower radiator hose
• Several pipes and fans

As coolant flows through the system, it picks up excess heat from the engine. This heat is then dispersed into the radiator, where it is either sent into the passenger cab or outside the vehicle.

What does the cooling system do?

The cooling system does more than just cool the engine. The cooling system has three main functions.

• Disperse excess engine heat
• Quickly heat a cold engine
• Maintain optimal engine running temperature

The most obvious function of the system is to cool the engine, which is designed to run around 200 degrees (+/- 10 degrees). However, the coolant also heats the engine to the right temperature needed to run and maintains that temperature during every drive.

As you can see, your car’s cooling system has a big job

The cooling system is not part of the AC system, but it is responsible for cooling, heating and maintaining the engine’s temperature. With regular cooling system maintenance, you can avoid complete engine failure later on.

If you have any questions about the cooling system or are in need of an inspection, call Christian Brothers Automotive in Springfield, Missouri today. We’ll show you the nice difference!