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Heating and Cooling System Maintenance & Repairs in Bradenton, FL

Heating and Cooling System

When your vehicle’s engine is cool, it operates as intended. Any issues with your vehicle’s heating and cooling system can impact the engine’s performance, and they may even lead to costly repairs. The expert team at Milex Complete Auto Care – Mr. Transmission of Bradenton knows what your vehicle’s cooling system needs to stay up and running.

You may not know that one of the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns is cooling system failure. Among other things, this will cause the engine to overheat. In order to prevent breakdowns, turn to our Bradenton professionals. We’ll provide preventative maintenance and repair services for every element of the cooling system, helping keep you and your vehicle road ready.

The Purpose of Your Car's Cooling System

The heating and cooling system in your vehicle does a lot more than keep you and your passengers comfortable year-round – it also keeps your engine at a safe operating temperature. To put it simply, the engine cooling system keeps the engine both cool enough to prevent breakdowns and warm enough to guarantee clean, efficient operation.

In essence, your vehicle’s heating and cooling system works by diverting coolant from the rest of your car’s cooling system. If the heat that your vehicle’s engine produces isn’t managed effectively, it can lead to anything from reduced efficiency to severe engine damage. As important as proper cooling is to your vehicle’s long-term performance, choosing the right technicians to service this complex system is key.

The Main Components of Your Car's Cooling System

There are a lot of different parts that keep your vehicle’s cooling system working as intended. While there might be some variance between makes and models, you can generally expect the cooling system to include the following elements:

  • Radiator: The radiator is a heat exchanger that dissipates heat from the engine coolant. It consists of a network of tubes and fins that allow air to flow through, cooling the hot coolant as it circulates throughout the system.
  • Water pump: The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant (usually a mixture of water and antifreeze) through the engine and the radiator. It helps maintain a consistent flow of coolant to keep the engine at the optimal operating temperature throughout your drive.
  • Thermostat: The thermostat is a valve that regulates the flow of coolant between the engine and the radiator. It opens and closes in response to the engine's temperature, ensuring that the coolant circulates when needed and remains in the radiator to cool down when the engine is cold.
  • Hoses: Various hoses and pipes connect the radiator, water pump, engine, and other components of the cooling system, allowing coolant to flow between them.
  • Cooling fans: Electric cooling fans help maintain airflow through the radiator when the vehicle is not moving fast enough to provide adequate natural airflow for cooling. These fans can be triggered by temperature sensors or controlled manually.
  • Expansion tank, also known as coolant reservoir: The expansion tank serves as a reservoir for excess coolant, allowing it to expand and contract as the engine heats up and cools down. It also provides a convenient place to check and top off coolant levels.
  • Radiator cap: The radiator cap helps maintain pressure throughout the cooling system, which raises the boiling point of the coolant. It also allows excess coolant to flow into the expansion tank when needed.
  • Coolant: Coolant, often a mixture of water and antifreeze, helps regulate the engine's temperature. It prevents freezing in cold weather, boiling in hot conditions, and provides corrosion protection.
  • Temperature sensors: Temperature sensors monitor the engine's temperature and send signals to the engine control unit (ECU) to regulate the operation of the cooling fans, thermostat, and other components.

Why Maintenance & Repairs Matter

The cooling system is as susceptible to wear-and-tear as any other part of your vehicle. We recommend including the cooling system in your regular preventative maintenance schedule by having your vehicle’s coolant changed regularly. By protecting and supporting the entire system, engine coolant is essential to the heating and cooling system’s performance. But over time, coolant breaks down and becomes contaminated, which causes dangerous clogs and overheating.

A good place to start with coolant maintenance is to have it checked with every oil change service. Milex - Mr. Transmission of Bradenton offers coolant services that will thoroughly clean and inspect the cooling system, then replace your engine coolant. We’ll also perform any necessary repairs. It’s a simple way to extend the life of your radiator, prevent rust and corrosion in your cooling system, and keep your engine running smoothly.

Schedule an Appointment Today

When it comes to your car’s cooling system, you can count on Milex – Mr. Transmission of Bradenton. We provide expert care for every part of your vehicle. No matter what make and model you drive – foreign or domestic, luxury or working vehicle, even hybrids – we know what it takes to keep your vehicle road ready.

We’re proud to serve motorists throughout the Bradenton area, including Samoset, Memphis, Whitfield, Palmetto, and Oneco.

Call To Make An Appointment Today!

FAQs About A Vehicle's Cooling System

When should you have your cooling system serviced?

We recommend including cooling system services as part of your vehicle’s regular maintenance. Hoses should also be checked frequently and replaced as required to avoid potential leaks. If your vehicle has experienced overheating, there’s no time to wait. Bring your vehicle to a certified ASE technician immediately.

What should I do if my car starts to overheat?

If your car is overheating, you’ll typically see a light on your dashboard illuminate or your temperature gauge spike. You’ll need to come to a stop as soon as safely possible. Turn off your engine to prevent further damage and allow it to cool.

If you can’t stop driving, turn up the heat on your car’s AC to divert more heat away from your engine.

What causes coolant leaks?

Many factors can cause coolant leaks, including a blown hose or bad hose clamp, warped head gasket, or a hole in the radiator. Keep an eye out for brightly colored fluids leaking from under your car, as coolant is typically a vibrant blue, red, green, or yellow color. If you notice a leak, give us a call today!

What are typical problems that you see with cooling systems?

The most common form of cooling system wear-and-tear is the aging of the coolant and hoses. As the coolant ages, the compounds within it break down to where they can no longer cool the engine effectively. Old coolant can also cause corrosion of the system components. Having your vehicle’s coolant changed regularly is important to preserve your engine’s long-term performance.

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