Coolant & Antifreeze

Coolant and antifreeze absorb heat from your car's engine and send it out through the radiator. This helps your engine operate at an optimal temperature. Understanding how coolant and antifreeze work helps you know when to get professional, reliable service from Ryan's Auto Care before small problems become significant ones.

Functions of Coolant and Antifreeze

Coolant and antifreeze do more than just prevent the engine and critical parts from overheating and freezing. They also help protect your cooling system and engine to keep both running at optimal performance. 

Heat Transfer in Cooling System

Engines work smoothly due in part to the thermal conductivity of coolant. Because of its high thermal conductivity, coolant absorbs heat as it passes through the engine and carries that heat away for dissipation through the radiator. This stops your engine from overheating.

Freezing and Boiling Protection

Coolants are usually a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water, though your vehicle may need as much as 70% antifreeze if you drive in frigid temperatures.

A 50-50 mix brings the boiling point of coolant up to 223 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The freezing point of coolant is minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Crucially, both are higher than those of water alone. The freezing protection of coolant stops ice formation that could damage your engine, while the boiling protection stops the coolant from vaporizing.

Corrosion Prevention in Cooling System

Another advantage of engine coolants over water is that they contain additives that help prevent corrosion. These additives create a protective layer on the metal surfaces of your cooling system components. Keeping corrosion and rust at bay prolongs the life of your engine and vehicle.



Sealing and Lubrication in Cooling System

Sealant additives in coolant help protect the structural integrity of gaskets and seals, so they can do their jobs in preventing leaks and helping maintain pressure. Some coolants also contain lubricants that help reduce friction between various cooling system parts

Types of Coolants

There are several types of engine coolant. An ethylene glycol-based coolant has excellent antifreeze and heat-transfer properties but is highly toxic, so you must be careful when handling it. 

Propylene glycol-based coolant is a less toxic, more environment-friendly choice, but it does not transfer heat as efficiently as ethylene glycol-based coolant. However, it is an effective coolant for many vehicles, so the lower toxicity is a great selling point.

Always follow the advice of your Ryan's Auto Care service technician, who follows your vehicle owner's manual for coolant guidelines to ensure you are getting the proper type and avoiding damage Various coolants have different additives, and some are manufactured for high-temperature applications. The manufacturer's recommendations for coolant will help your cooling system operate at peak performance.

Coolant Maintenance and Flushes

Over time, coolant can break down, become contaminated, and lose its effectiveness. This can reduce the efficiency of your cooling system and cause engine damage. Watch for warning signs, such as coolant leaks, overheating, and unusual engine noises. These signs that contaminated coolant has affected your water pump, radiator, hoses, engine, or other essential components. If you notice problems, bring your vehicle to Ryan's Auto Care for professional inspection and maintenance.

Safety Considerations With Coolant Handling

Coolant and antifreeze are toxic, so using Ryan's Auto Care for maintenance and repair services keeps coolant out of your home and away from children and pets. We follow all coolant disposal regulations for your area

Visit Ryan's Auto Care for Professional Cooling System Maintenance

Our experienced team at Ryan's Auto Care has been helping our neighbors keep their vehicles at peak performance in Lake Mills, WI since 2001. We have the knowledge and skills to ensure your coolant is clean and at the right levels. We know when it's time for flushing and replacement.

Our technicians will also inspect your fluid lines and flush them if they are dirty or replace them as necessary. Visit us at 160 Owen St Lake Mills, WI 53551, fill out our online request for an appointment, or call us at (920) 648-2009. We offer quality service and fair pricing to every customer.