MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Finally, the summer is over and fall is here! And whether the first cold snap is only weeks or still months away, this is a great time to take advantage of the milder fall weather by popping the hood and winterizing your car. A task that is critical to fall car care is cooling system maintenance.
A recent survey by the National Car Care Council showed that more than 70 percent of motorists do not winterize their cars in preparation for the colder months ahead. Perhaps that's why cooling system failure is the number one cause of engine-related roadside breakdowns. Follow these Fall Car Care Tips from AutoZone, and you'll be ready for whatever weather lies ahead.
Flush and fill your cooling system.
Performing a routine flush and fill is quick and easy, and it's cheap insurance against engine failure. The National Car Care Council recommends doing this every two years or 24,000 miles for most vehicles. Don't assume that simply draining your radiator is enough. To do the job right, you need to flush the system with a radiator flush product, not just plain water, to remove stubborn rust, grease, and sediment.
Many motorists make the mistake of judging the condition of their antifreeze by its color. Contaminants like rust, sediment, or oil may cause the antifreeze to change colors, but it's the chemical breakdown over time that renders your antifreeze ineffective against freeze-ups, boil overs and corrosion. And old, weak antifreeze won't provide sufficient engine protection, regardless of the color. So play it safe, and change your antifreeze every two years or 24,000 miles.
Replace your radiator hoses and hose clamps.
Replace any hoses that have brittle, spongy, or bulging areas. If the hoses are more than four years old, replace them regardless of their condition. As the corrosion inhibitors in your antifreeze break down, the radiator hoses begin to deteriorate from the inside out. Don't wait until a hose breaks to find out that you were overdue for replacement.
Hose clamps are often overlooked, but they shouldn't be, since they are your last line of defense against leaks or pressure loss. Be sure to use new clamps with new hoses.
Replace your thermostat.
The thermostat controls coolant flow through the engine. If it fails, the engine will overheat. In most cars, the thermostat is in line with the upper radiator hose or at the inlet to the water pump. Play it safe and replace the thermostat when you change the radiator hoses.
Replace your radiator cap.
A radiator cap does more than merely prevent antifreeze from sloshing out of your radiator. A properly functioning radiator cap also raises the cooling system pressure and increases the boiling point of the antifreeze/water mixture by about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This gives your engine added protection against boil overs. Like the other cooling system components, radiator caps don't last forever. Replace yours every time you flush and fill your cooling system. Pressure recommendations vary, so be sure to get the right cap for your vehicle.
Want to know more?
For more information, stop by your local AutoZone, or visit www.autozone.com. At AutoZone.com you can check your car's cooling system capacity and required coolant, learn more about seasonal maintenance recommendations, and even look up parts and place them on hold at your local AutoZone store.
About AutoZone:
As of May 7, 2005, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 3,505 AutoZone stores in the United States and 73 AutoZone stores in Mexico and also sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone sells diagnostic and repair information and auto and light truck parts through www.autozone.com.
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