John Rupar

A1 Automotive

The Parts that Make it Tick: All the parts of the cooling system need to work together to prevent engine trouble. Here’s how the various parts of your cooling system work, and how Prestone brand products help keep them running.

The Engine: This is the power station of your car. Gasoline and air are ignited inside its combustion chamber to produce intense heat and mechanical energy. Over time, such high temperatures could damage the metal surrounding the chamber. By helping to remove excess heat, Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant keeps the engine running efficiently.

The Radiator: Hot coolant from the engine flows through tubes, which conduct antifreeze/coolant heat to a honeycomb of small metal fins which are cooled by air. If you neglect your antifreeze/coolant, radiator metals can rust or corrode. This corrosion can eat holes in the thin, lightweight aluminum radiator parts, especially in newer vehicles. Rust and corrosion can also clog any radiator over time. To prevent this build-up, Prestone recommends regular cleaning with Prestone Super Flush. Using Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant helps prevent corrosion build-up and eliminate radiator leaks to begin with.

The Thermostat: This valve controls the amount of antifreeze/coolant flowing from the engine to the radiator. In warm weather, when the engine is hottest, the thermostat opens freely to allow the free passage of coolant. In cool weather, it stays nearly closed, since maximum cooling isn’t necessary. Well maintained thermostats help maintain optimum engine temperature in cold and warm climates.

The Heater Hose and Core: Some heat is carried by the antifreeze/coolant to the heater core to heat the passenger compartment. The car’s antifreeze/coolant is also routed here, via heater hoses, to prevent rust and corrosion. Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant is designed to help prevent corrosion within the heater core without harming rubber hoses.

Auto Fluids and Safety: Auto fluids, including antifreeze/coolant, are essential to your car’s health. But many can be toxic to people and pets. Fortunately, when handled, stored and disposed of properly these products can be used safely. These instructions and safety tips will help you create a safer environment for using these important fluids, and keep your cooling system running smoothly.

What is Antifreeze and Why Is It Important? Antifreeze/coolant protects a vehicle’s cooling system from temperature extremes, rust and corrosion. It prevents the radiator from boiling over during hot weather or freezing during cold weather. Since cooling system failure is a leading engine related cause of roadside breakdowns, antifreeze/coolant maintenance is an important preventative measure.

The main ingredient in most standard antifreezes is etinylene glycol (EG). Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant combines EG with special additives called "inhibitors" to protect engine radiators and water pumps against rust and corrosion.

Prestone Products also offers Prestone LowTox, a propylene glycol (PG) antifreeze/coolant. This performs comparably to EG, but it’s less toxic. LowTox Antifreeze/Coolant provides an extra margin of safety to pets and wildlife in the environment.

A1 Automotive, 8815 Young Road, Chilliwack, (604) 792-6968.