Dave's Auto Repair

Your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in Petaluma.

Without coolant, the Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running.  Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Petaluma, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the California cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your Petaluma owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other Petaluma cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at Dave’s Auto Repair: it is very important that you use the correct type.  The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up.  Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your Considerate Dave’s Auto Repair service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru cooling system.

Ask us about VW, Volvo, BMW Service, Transmission Service, Brake Service & Repair, Tune Up, Check Engine and Smog Testing, Brakes, Car Care, A/C.

Give us a call

Dave’s Auto Repair
707.763.8365
1911 Bodega Avenue
Petaluma, California 94952

At Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma California (94952) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 707.763.8365. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The following Cooling System video is presented by Dave’s Auto Repair:

The following Cooling System animation is presented by Dave’s Auto Repair:

We’re often asked questions in Petaluma CA about the cooling system – the system that cools your engine and keeps it at the proper operating temperature. Let’s examine the topic in two areas: first the coolant itself and, second, the parts that make up the cooling system.

The coolant in you minivan is the mix of water and antifreeze that circulates through the engine to draw off heat. First, you need to have the proper amount. If you don’t have enough coolant it can’t keep your engine cool.

You also need the right kind of coolant. Different makes of minivans and other vehicles require different coolant formulation to protect against corrosion.

Finally, your coolant needs to be fresh. Over time and miles, the anti-corrosion additives in the coolant are depleted and the coolant can actually start to eat away at the cooling system parts. Your owner’s manual and your Dave’s Auto Repair service adviser in Petaluma CA can help you with the recommended coolant replacement schedule and make sure you’re getting the right type of coolant.

Now let’s talk about the cooling system components. These will all eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

Starting with the radiator, we see them coming into the shop with leaks or clogged with deposits. Depending on the damage, we will clean, repair or replace. We also see radiator pressure caps that can no longer hold the proper pressure. We recommend replacing pressure caps when you change your coolant to avoid this problem.

We see leaky water pumps and hoses in Petaluma that need to be replaced, too. There’s also a part called the thermostat that opens and closes to regulate the flow of coolant. Sometimes they stick open or closed and the cooling system won’t work properly.

Engine damage from overheating can be very expensive to fix so it’s important to maintain your cooling system properly with scheduled coolant replacement and periodic inspections of the cooling system. Certainly come in if you suspect a leak and have us take a look.

Dave’s Auto Repair
1911 Bodega Avenue
Petaluma, CA 94952
707.763.8365

At Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma CA we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.