Some symptoms of your car having a cooling system leak are the sweet odor of antifreeze, an increasing temperature gauge, and issues with your vehicle's heater. If you notice that the coolant level in your car is decreasing, a leak is the most likely cause. The first main cause is a leak in your car's cooling system. ![]() There are two main causes of coolant loss in cars. You should do your best to make sure that your car has at least an adequate level of coolant in it at all times. Technically speaking, you can, as long as the coolant level is still above the minimum level but do not try to drive your car if it has less than the minimum amount. If you’d like to take your car in to get the cooling system worked on, consider going to one of our preferred repair shops.One question that you might have is whether or not you can drive your car if it is low on coolant. The best part is, refreshing the system will help it hold on to that efficiency new cars have, so it’s easier to ask your engine to perform at a higher level for longer. This will help prevent leaks from developing, and it’s much easier than troubleshooting the system for a bad seal or a leaky hose. Remember to follow all the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacement, including the replacement of hoses and valves at the recommended times. Either way, the system should be properly pressure-tested and checked for leaks, and a head gasket / internal leak.Ĭonsulting a professional for hard to pinpoint leaks can save you time, but coolant system diagnostic guides are out there for the dedicated do-it-yourself enthusiast. If no leak is found, this is normally a sign of a head gasket leak that could be leaking coolant into either the combustion chamber or into the oil itself. If you want to find where you’re leaking from, a drop cloth under the vehicle can help pinpoint the leak because it will show a stain where the antifreeze drips. If you continue to lose a steady amount of coolant, check carefully around the engine compartment for drips and leaks, and find the front of the water pump to check if the water pump itself is leaking. There are many reasons a vehicle could lose antifreeze, including overflow and evaporation if a cap is loose. In the end, as long as you are choosing a formula that is compatible with your vehicle, what antifreeze to use is largely dependent on your needs. Some coolant manufacturers offer extreme heat formulas similar to their cold weather options.Antifreeze that is non-toxic to animals is also very popular.Cold weather protection to -34 degrees is available from many manufacturers.Some examples of special variants you might find useful under the right circumstances include: Of course, there are specialty formulas available, and understanding the options there could make your car ownership experience a lot better. You can find out more about the history and details of different types of antifreeze here! One of the most common, and longstanding coolants of this type is DEX COOL®, which was developed by GM in the late 1980’s and has been used ever since. You should check your owner’s manual, to check on what type or color of antifreeze your car takes. Many manufacturers developed their own blend of OAT antifreeze, with less of more silicates and phosphates, and in doing so, developed a specific color of antifreeze to identify it. While any IAT green antifreeze can be mixed with other green, mixing OAT antifreeze with other types is not recommended. During the late 80’s, cars began using more and more aluminum parts in engines, and the need to come up with a better, longer lasting antifreeze led to OAT (organic acid technology) antifreeze. IAT (inorganic acid technology) antifreeze is the green antifreeze of old, and the universal standard for over 70 years. Antifreeze is really divided into 2 different types – IAT and OAT antifreeze.
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