Category Archives: Vehicle Maintenance

Flushing out the Facts on Radiator Flushes

Posted on by

Dear Tracy,

I have not been a car owner for very long and am trying to learn what auto service is needed and what I can skip to save some cash. I have heard that getting a radiator flush should be part of car maintenance. Can you please tell me if a radiator flush is necessary, what it entails, and how often – if ever – my car needs to have one?

Rob L.

Dear Rob,

A radiator flush should definitely be a part of your regular vehicle maintenance. The function of your car’s radiator is to provide cooling to the engine by taking away the heat produced during normal engine operation. Your car’s cooling system does this by circulating a coolant through the engine block, which absorbs the heat and takes it to the radiator where it dissipates into the atmosphere. This prevents overheating which can otherwise damage the engine.

With the accumulation of miles, solid deposits can form inside your car’s radiator system, causing blockages that make the circulation of the coolant much less efficient. This causes the vehicle to run hotter and damage occurs due to excessive heat build-up. This problem can be avoided by periodically performing a radiator flush. A radiator flush involves draining the original coolant from the radiator and replacing it with a special coolant mixture that cleans the system. This mixture circulates through the vehicle’s cooling system, dissolving and removing any solid build-up inside the radiator channels. This mixture is then drained and replaced with a standard mix of coolant and water.

The radiator flush process can take a few hours because the vehicle’s existing coolant needs to have time to cool down completely before it can be safely drained. Your auto technician will then need to run the engine with the cleaning mixture until it reaches normal driving temperature. At this point, the vehicle’s heating system needs to run at its highest setting for a while. Then, after the cleaning mixture temperature drops, it needs to be drained and replaced with the standard coolant and water solution.

Vehicle manufacturers usually include a recommended schedule for radiator flushing. Schedules are based on engine specifications and the type of coolant that is used. The typical frequency is at least once every 2 years or 30,000 miles. In areas where winters are especially harsh or summers are extreme, it is recommended that you schedule a radiator flush at the start of each season.

Winter Care for Car Batteries

Posted on by

Dear Tracy,

What, if any, maintenance should be performed on car batteries? Do batteries run out of charge more quickly in winter? With the cold weather moving in, I want to make sure I don’t get stuck in the cold with a dead battery.

Stacy D.

Dear Stacy,

Before the winter driving season arrives in full force, it is a good idea to take your car in for maintenance and inspection. Your mechanic can test your battery and if necessary, clean the battery tray and terminal posts. Your shop may also spray the terminals with a protectant to inhibit corrosion. In addition to battery maintenance, the mechanic can inspect your alternator and starting system to make sure everything related to your car’s battery performance is in good order.

While your car battery does not actually drain faster in the winter, extreme cold does have an effect on battery performance. Cold temperatures greatly reduce the effectiveness of chemical reactions within the battery and also increase the battery’s internal resistance. As the temperatures fall, these factors cause a reduction in cranking power. Vehicles need an increased amount of cranking power in cold weather because motor oil is thicker and makes engines harder to crank.

To reduce your chances of being stranded, remember to watch for the signs of a low or dying battery. If the starter turns slowly, your battery could be failing or you may have alternator wiring problems that prevent the battery from fully charging. Another sign of trouble is if your headlights look dim at idle and but become brighter when you accelerate the engine. Finally, if you have any concerns about your battery, look for a purchase date on the battery itself. The battery case should have a decal stating its expected life. If it’s getting close to the end of this expected service life, replace it.

Emission Checks – Who Needs Them?

Posted on by

Dear Tracy,

I recently moved to Harrison, Ohio, from Kentucky, and was wondering about automobile emission testing. My neighbor told me that it is not necessary in Ohio, but I have a cousin in Cleveland who insists that it is. How do I know who is right? I tried looking online, but there are a lot of websites with information out there, and I am not sure which site is the right one for official information. Also, I was wondering why some states require emission testing, and some don’t. Kentucky did not require an emissions test.

Lauren B.

Dear Lauren,

When moving to a new state, it is a good idea to get familiar with the vehicle and licensing requirements right away, so you are not caught off guard when your current license expires. Finding information online can be a bit of a challenge because a number of websites have popped up with official sounding names that are actually trying to sell you something – usually insurance. If you want up-to-date information, look in your search results for a “.gov” website. That should be the real deal and give you current requirements.

As an Ohio resident, a great resource for you will be the new resident section of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles website. You will find a lot of helpful information here, including whether or not you need an emissions check. Ohio is a state that is divided in terms of emission testing – some counties require it, and some do not. Your cousin, in Cleveland, is a resident of Cuyahoga County, and therefore needs an emission test. Since you and your neighbor are in Harrison, you are residents of Hamilton County, and do not need one.

The reason requirements are different from state to state, and even county to county, is because the decision to require testing is made on a state level. While the path leading to vehicle emissions testing began with federal legislation, the Clean Air Act of 1970, the standards set by that legislation are being met in more and more areas, due to factors like improvements in automotive technology and fuel efficiency. If an area meets EPA requirements, the state may determine emission testing is unnecessary.