St. Peter motorists rely on their car’s coolant system to keep their engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your minivan 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 coolant/water mix circulates back through the engine to absorb more heat.

There’s a reason we mix coolant and water. Water alone actually does a good job transferring heat from the engine. The problem is that water boils at a temperature that’s easily reached inside your minivan’s engine, so it can turn to steam which does not conduct heat as well and is harder to contain.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in St. Peter, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the MN cold.

So, if you remember your St. Peter high school chemistry, you’ll know that a mixture has both a higher boiling point and a lower freezing point than either component alone.

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

Whenever your minivan is running, the coolant in the cooling system is working to keep your engine from overheating. When it’s cold outside, the coolant acts as antifreeze to keep the fluid from freezing in your engine.

All that exploding fuel in your engine creates a lot of heat. Without coolant, the metal minivan engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running. The pricey parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced. It could even be so bad that the whole minivan’s engine is ruined and has to be junked.

This is why it is critical that St. Peter drivers check coolant levels frequently and have their minivan cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your minivan auto manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your owner’s manual or ask us at Autotronics of ST Peter in St. Peter.

The reason St. Peter auto owners 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 minivan cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced.

Many St. Peter auto owners ask Autotronics of ST Peter why there are different colors of antifreeze. It is very important that you use the correct type of antifreeze. The different types of antifreeze – or coolant – are different colors so you don’t mix them up.

The auto manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with us at Autotronics of ST Peter in St. Peter or your owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your minivan cooling system.

The coolant system is a vital part of your vehicle. It is also the second most common cause for vehicle failures. Even though coolant system failure is fairly common in St. Peter, it is easy to prevent.

Autotronics of ST Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
   507.934.9290

The most recognizable part of the coolant system to Cleveland auto owners is the radiator. It is connected to the engine with hoses and is filled with coolant. The coolant draws heat off the engine and then passes into the radiator. Air passes through cooling fins to reduce the temperature of the coolant and then it’s back to the engine again.

There are several ways for the cooling system failure. Most common is with the coolant itself. Coolant is comprised of water and antifreeze. The proper ratio keeps the coolant from either boiling away or freezing. Understandably, either can lead to massive engine damage.

Another vital coolant issue that is often overlooked by St. Peter drivers is the age of the coolant itself. Antifreeze has additives that protect the coolant system from corrosion. As these additives are depleted over time, they can’t protect the radiator and other parts from rust, scaling and corrosion. That old container of coolant gathering dust in your garage may still keep your engine cool, but it won’t protect it from corrosion.

If get a warning message to check the coolant or if the minivan temperature gauge is in the hot zone, your cooling system needs to be checked. It’s OK to add water or antifreeze yourself. But you need to be cautious. Remember four things:

• First, you never want to open the radiator pressure cap. You could be severely burned.
• Second, get to Autotronics of ST Peter in St. Peter immediately if your coolant is low. If that is not possible, follow the directions in your minivan owners manual – it will direct you to only make additions to the coolant overflow bottle.
• Third, remember that you need a proper mixture of water and antifreeze. If you make an emergency addition to your cooling system, follow-up with your Autotronics of ST Peter service center where we can make necessary adjustments.
• Fourth, not all cars use the same type of antifreeze. You need to check your minivan owners manual to make sure you use the right kind. Mixing antifreeze types or using the wrong kind of antifreeze may void the manufacturers warranty on your cooling system. Again, another reason to depend on your Autotronics of ST Peter service center in St. Peter to do things right.

Remember, your St. Peter service center has the equipment to change your coolant quickly and inexpensively.