Make Sure You’re Mixing Your Coolant Properly This Winter!

Coolant or antifreeze is an absolutely crucial part of your diesel vehicle’s engine system. Proper coolant levels ensure your engine does not overheat and cause severe damage to your bus, semi truck or fleet vehicles. If you neglect to maintain proper coolant levels in your vehicle, you’ll end up needing serious diesel engine repairs in Shelby County, TN.

To avoid the need for these repairs, you don’t only have to take care of adding the coolant to your vehicle. It also needs to be mixed properly! Whether you’re buying pre-mixed coolant or mixing antifreeze and water yourself, make sure the mixture levels are appropriate for the season and for the amount of heat your vehicle generates. Since heavy duty diesel vehicles run for longer periods of time and generate a lot of heat, these mixtures might differ from standard passenger cars.

The basics of antifreeze and coolant

Antifreeze is the glycol-based concentrated solution found in coolant mixtures. Since antifreeze is so concentrated, it needs to be mixed with water when added to your cooling system. Antifreeze prevents the water from freezing in the winter, and also helps prevent scale buildup and corrosion in the engine.

Coolant can be purchased pre-mixed from an auto shop or other store. This liquid will contain one of many ratios of water and antifreeze to keep your engine system running properly. Generally, coolant is 50 percent water and 50 percent antifreeze. Coolant keeps your engine from overheating and prevents the water in the solution from boiling over, meaning you have a safe and well-regulated engine temperature and reducing the need for diesel engine repairs in Shelby County, TN.

Mixing coolant properly

Over time, the coolant in your diesel vehicle will need to be flushed out and replaced. If you’re doing this yourself, it’s very important to make sure you are mixing your coolant levels appropriately. Your vehicle manufacturer will provide recommendations for the levels of water and antifreeze recommended for your engine cooling system.

Too little water will not adequately cool your engine, increasing the risk of it overheating. Too much water and not enough antifreeze might be okay during warmer months, but during the winter, this can be catastrophic. Without enough antifreeze in the mixture, the water in your cooling system can freeze and damage your engine.

When in doubt, a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze will leave your engine running smoothly, but you can also check with a diesel engine repair expert for their advice on coolant replacement.

Ask the experts in diesel engine repairs in Shelby County, TN

If you need help with your diesel engine, whether it’s for a coolant flush, routine maintenance or diesel engine repairs in Shelby County, TN, we hope you’ll visit United Diesel Power. We provide reliable diesel vehicle services and repair to commercial customers. With more than 28 years of hands-on experience, our specialized focus on bus, truck and trailer, and fleet vehicle repairs and our 24/7 services, you’ll know your diesel vehicle is in good hands. Visit us today!

Categorised in: Diesel Engine Repair

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