(540) 345-8871

Owned and operated by Danny and Pat

blog-1

Winterize Your Car with a Radiator Flush

Radiator Flushes in the Fall Get Your Car Ready for Winter

If you want to extend your car’s life, and keep it running well, winterize your car with a radiator flush. Most car owners know they should change the oil and have the proper tire pressure during the winter. They might not be aware, though, that they should flush their radiator’s antifreeze. In our experience at Bass Transmissions & Automotive Repair, the best time to flush your antifreeze is in the fall. When you do a radiator flush in the fall, you are preparing your car for harsh winter weather.

We know times are tough right now. Maybe rising prices have challenged your budget, but a radiator flush will likely save you money in the future. If you don’t winterize your car with a radiator flush, you could have trouble down the road. Today, we are looking at why you should perform a radiator flush before the cold weather hits.

Antifreeze Regulates the Water Inside Your Auto’s Radiator

When we perform a radiator flush, we’re flushing the antifreeze in the radiator. Antifreeze regulates the water inside your automobile’s radiator. Antifreeze prevents the water from freezing over in the winter months, and from boiling during the hot summer. The best times for the radiator flush are the fall and summer, but fall is ideal for car winterization. Antifreeze also serves as a lubricant in the water pump and other essential components.

Some Older Cars Should Definitely Get a Radiator Flush

Most new cars typically have cooling systems that automobile manufacturers design to last up to 100,000 miles. But not every car or driver is the same, so that number could fluctuate depending on your driving habits. Some cars in the Roanoke Valley might need more maintenance than other cars, especially in the winter.

Don’t Wait Until Winter to Schedule Your Radiator Flush Appointment

At Bass Transmissions & Automotive Repair, we recommend you don’t wait until winter to schedule a radiator flush. The closer the calendar gets to winter the busier our technicians get. You might be reading this during the winter, but it’s something to think about for next winter. If you have an older car, you should get a radiator flush at some point anyway. Older cars should get a radiator flush every 40,000 miles.

Here is How Our Technicians Perform a Radiator Flush

You might be unfamiliar with what happens during a radiator flush. When we perform a radiator flush, our technician pumps up to five gallons of antifreeze through the cooling system. Our technician flushes all of the old antifreeze out during radiator flush, including any built-up contaminants. We later pour new antifreeze into the radiator to not only replenish it, but also to increase its effectiveness. Our team wants to make sure that your vehicle is running at its peak effectiveness in the cold winter season. Radiator flushes are one of our most important auto repairs.

We Promise to Give Your Radiator a Thorough Inspection

When Bass Transmissions & Automotive Repair performs an antifreeze flush, we perform a thorough inspection of your radiator. We will perform several pressure tests to check for holes and leaks within the cooling system. Our staff will communicate to you any problems the technician found. If you don’t catch these problems now, you could be stuck along a road in the winter waiting for help. Nobody wants their car to fail, especially in the winter.

Antifreeze Flush Removes Harmful Contaminants and Rust

As everybody knows, the more miles you put on your vehicle, the more you can expect wear and tear. Rust deposits can prevent the antifreeze from flowing correctly, resulting in overheating that can damage the engine and radiator. Additives within the antifreeze not only lubricate the water pump, but they also prevent rust and foam.

Antifreeze is vital to your car’s operation, but old antifreeze loses its properties over time. That makes flushing and replacing the coolant very important. According to Haynes.com, you need to have fresh antifreeze in your radiator:

“Antifreeze is not just a clever name. As you might have guessed, its main job is to keep the fluid in your car’s cooling system from freezing solid, expanding, and breaking things. Water actually does a better job of cooling hot parts than antifreeze, but it also freezes at 32 degrees, and boils more readily. Besides staying liquid, modern antifreeze is chock full of chemicals to reduce corrosion in aluminum and iron parts, and lubricate the water pump.”

Source: Fall Cooling System Flush | Haynes Manuals

Radiator Flushing Helps Protect One of Your Big Investments

It’s only natural to want to keep vehicle maintenance costs at a minimum, especially during tough economic times. But your vehicle is one of your biggest investments. One of the best feelings you’ll have is when you pay your car off. So, you’ll want to keep your vehicle running at its best for many years. When you winterize your car with a radiator flush, you’re protecting your investment. Call Bass Transmissions & Automotive Repair today to make an appointment to winterize your car.

Are you looking for a quality automotive repair center? Call Bass Transmissions & Automotive Repair in Roanoke, VA, at (540) 345-8871 or follow us on Facebook for updates. We proudly serve vehicle owners throughout the Roanoke Valley. Reach out today to winterize your car with a radiator flush.