Cooling System – “The Heart of Your Vehicle”

You can think of your cars cooling system as the heart of a vehicle. The water pump circulates vital fluid, car coolant / antifreeze, through the engine’s radiator and the primary job a car’s cooling system is to “regulate” or keep the engine from overheating by transferring this heat to the air. The cooling system also has several other important jobs, such as allowing the engine to heat up as quickly as possible, and then keeping the engine at a constant temperature. Unlike the human body, your car does not reproduce new car coolant to keep it running optimally.  A regularly scheduled car coolant flush and fill is critical to maintain your cooling system and the overall health of your vehicle.

Watch for Obvious Warning Signs

Keeping your car’s cooling system maintained and functioning properly with a flush and fill can save you from potentially harmful and expensive damage. Understanding the warning signs of cooling system problems and practicing proper maintenance, can help you extend the life of your vehicle. It’s important to note that during a car’s normal operation, car coolant doesn’t just get used up; so, if your car’s coolant level is consistently low, your car most likely has a coolant leak. An ASE certified mechanic can conduct a coolant pressure test to verify if you have a leaking radiator.

Here are some additional obvious cooling system problems and warning signs to be aware of:
• Antifreeze / car coolant drain beneath your vehicle
• Temperature gauge is higher than normal or warning light on the dashboard
• Overheating engine – steam from beneath the hood or near your coolant reservoir
• Antifreeze / car coolant on the floor of the passenger compartment
• Poor heater or car air conditioning performance

If you notice any of these symptoms, your radiator or heater could be clogged or corroded.  Any one of these signs can also indicate a worn or leaking radiator or hoses. It is important to get your vehicle to an ASE Certified Technician at your local tire store right away. Prolonged overheating can severely damage cooling system components and even your engine, resulting in some very expensive repair bills.

Tire Stores Perform Flush and Fill and Regular Maintenance

By regularly checking fluid levels, belts and hoses yourself and bringing your vehicle in once a year for a car cooling system maintenance check, you’ll be much more likely to avoid these problems and enjoy trouble-free driving. Most cooling system repairs require the help of a trained professional. Have your system checked by a qualified ASE Certified Technician at least once a year, or every 12,000 miles, at one of your friendly neighborhood tire stores.

If you are not experiencing any of the above problems, it is a good idea to check your owner manual for the recommended cooling system service interval. To help avoid corrosion and clogs, most OEMs recommend having the coolant flushed and changed every 40,000 – 50,000 miles. Keep in mind that most car coolants are toxic and also pick up heavy-metal contamination during use. Reputable service centers and tire discount stores know how to dispose of it safely.

Honda Civic

Regardless of the season, your Honda car must always be clean and nice because part contributes to the performance of the car as a whole. A well maintained exterior, aside from the good looks, is also a stepping stone in achieving your Honda’s consistently great performance.

You definitely would not want damage on your Honda bumper, windows or doors. A simple way of avoiding this is trimming down trees or shrubs that touch the surfaces of you Honda car.

Washing your car should be a habit, most especially if there is noticeable dirt or debris. At least once a month, let your car experience the washing it deserves. Things like bugs, bird’s dropping, or limestone dripping deteriorate the paint marking permanent stains if not washed off in time. All the moisture quickly dries up when the car is clean. But when it is dirty, the moisture accumulates in dirty areas that cause corrosion. At least once in a while use a pressure wash. It really helps because it removes the dirt from difficult to reach areas. Make sure to wash off all the areas where the dirt and salt could be accumulated such as behind moldings, inside wheel arches, under the bumpers, etc. After winter, it is particularly helpful to wash out all the salt accumulations that rush the corrosion process.

Waxing your car regularly helps in protecting the paint, reducing harsh effects of chemicals and protecting the paint from fading. Additionally, the car looks shiny. It takes only about 30 minutes to wax a whole car but a high quality car wax stays on the car for three to four months. Any product needs to be reapplied periodically in order to maintain protective coat.

Undercoating and rust proofing your vehicle will also be a huge help especially if you live in an area with high humidity, or where the salt use is common in winter months. A part of the brake system located underneath a car may be completely rusted in just 5 years in a high humidity, coastal area. In the long run, one of the brake lines can burst and the car will have no brakes. Make sure to properly undercoat and rust proof your car to protect important components from corrosion.

Repairing stone chips as soon as possible is also necessary. If not repaired at the right time, it will cause corrosion. All you need is a matching spray paint and a tooth pick. But if you have touch-up paint with the brush, you can use it instead. For a few minutes, shake the spray paint very well. And then, spray very small amount into the cap. Slightly deep the end of the toothpick into the paint cap. After that, everything would be fine.

A well looking exterior of a Honda car is a huge determinant of being a responsible owner. Aside from that, you can be assured that your car will perform well and not look disgusting, thereby giving you comfort and pleasure while driving.