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Radiator | Antifreeze/Coolant | Thermostat
Radiator
Today’s cars use aluminum radiators to transfer heat from the hot coolant flowing through the radiator to the air blown through it by the fan. The radiator and fans serve
to keep the engine and the transmission at acceptable temperatures. On most vehicles with automatic transmissions, automatic transmission fluid is routed through an oil
cooler inside the radiator.
Maintenance and Care:
A radiator leak between the coolant and the automatic transmission fluid can contaminate the transmission fluid and cause transmission failure. Red or brown drops of oil in
the coolant would be a symptom of such a leak. Because the transmission oil cooler is inside the radiator, the radiator must be replaced in order to eliminate the problem.
AAMCO's External Diagnostic Service for transmissions and 36-point ProtectCheck can help to pinpoint problems in the radiator and cooling system.
Antifreeze/Coolant
Antifreeze/coolant, when used properly, serves to prevent freezing, boiling and corrosion in the cooling system. Your owner's manual indicates the correct antifreeze/coolant
for your specific vehicle.
Maintenance and Care:
Cooling system failure is the leading cause of mechanical failure on the highway, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Generally, antifreeze/coolant should
be changed about every two years or 24,000 miles, and many car care professionals believe annual changes are warranted for late model vehicles with aluminum radiators.
The main issue is corrosion resistance; if the antifreeze/coolant loses its ability to inhibit corrosion, the result can be expensive internal corrosion in the radiator,
heater core and engine. The only way to know if the antifreeze/coolant still has adequate corrosion protection is to test it, which can be performed for your vehicle by the
trained technicians at AAMCO. Please refer to your owners manual for factory recommended maintenance intervals for your specific vehicle.
Thermostat
The thermostat regulates the cooling systems temperature. When the engine is cold, the thermostat stays closed and allows the coolant to keep flowing within the engine and
warms the coolant quickly. As the engine warms, the thermostat opens.
Maintenance and Care:
Have your thermostat and entire cooling system checked annually (they are inspected as part of AAMCO's ProtectCheck). A bad thermostat can cause a variety of problems, from
overheating, knocking, high idle speed, low temperature gauge readings, even an emissions test failure.
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