A coolant is a substance usually liquid or gas that is used to reduce or maintain the temperature of a system. An internal combustion engine in a car radiates heat when it is running. The engine must be cooled to avoid engine damage and the coolant helps to do this.
The coolant is held in the radiator. The radiator is a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the hot coolant to the air flowing through it. The radiator has a series of tubes that the coolant flows through. The radiator also has a series of fins that help to increase the surface area of the radiator which helps to improve the heat transfer.
The radiator is located at the front of the car where the air flow is greatest. The radiator is usually made of aluminium which is a good conductor of heat. The radiator is usually filled with a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. The water helps to transfer the heat from the coolant to the air and the antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing in cold weather.
The coolant is circulated through the engine by the water pump. The water pump is driven by the engine and it circulates the coolant through the engine and the radiator. The coolant flowing through the engine absorbs the heat from the engine and then the coolant flows through the radiator to transfer the heat to the air.
The thermostat is a valve that controls the flow of the coolant through the engine. The thermostat is located between the engine and the radiator. The thermostat is usually closed when the engine is cold and it opens when the engine reaches operating temperature. This prevents the coolant from flowing through the radiator until the engine is up to temperature which helps to improve fuel economy.
The coolant level in the radiator must be maintained at the correct level. The coolant level can drop over time due to evaporation and it can also drop if there is a leak in the system. A leak in the system can be caused by a leaking radiator hose a leaking water pump or a leaking head gasket.
If the coolant level drops too low the engine will overheat. The engine will start to run hot and the temperature gauge will move into the red zone. If the engine overheats it can cause engine damage.
The coolant level can be checked by looking at the overflow tank. The overflow tank is located near the radiator and it has a fill line that indicates the correct level of the coolant. The overflow tank is connected to the radiator by a hose and the coolant expands as it heats up. The expanding coolant is vented into the overflow tank and the coolant is drawn back into the radiator as the engine cools down.
If the coolant level in the overflow tank is low the radiator needs to be refilled. The radiator can be refilled by adding coolant to the radiator through the radiator cap. The radiator cap is located on the top of the radiator and it has a pressure relief valve that prevents the coolant from boiling over.
The coolant should be checked regularly and the radiator should be flushed and refilled with fresh coolant every 2 years.
What is the name of the part of the car that holds the coolant?
Answer: The radiator.
What is the liquid that is held in the radiator called?
Answer: Coolant.
What is the primary purpose of the coolant?
Answer: The coolant helps to keep the engine at a consistent temperature.
How does the coolant achieve this?
Answer: The coolant circulates through the engine and absorbs heat.
What happens to the coolant once it has absorbed the heat?
Answer: The coolant then flows through the radiator where it is cooled off.
How does the radiator work?
Answer: The radiator has a series of metal fins that help to dissipate the heat.
What is the coolant then able to do once it has been cooled off?
Answer: The coolant is then able to recirculate back through the engine.
What would happen to the engine if the coolant was not used?
Answer: The engine would overheat and sustain damage.
What is another name for the coolant?
Answer: Antifreeze.
Why is this name used?
Answer: The coolant helps to prevent the water in the radiator from freezing.
What is the ideal temperature for the coolant?
Answer: The ideal temperature for the coolant is between 195-220 degrees Fahrenheit.
What happens if the coolant gets too hot?
Answer: The coolant can boil and turn into steam.
This can cause damage to the engine.
What happens if the coolant gets too cold?
Answer: The coolant can freeze and expand.
This can cause damage to the engine.
How often should the coolant be replaced?
Answer: The coolant should be replaced every two years or 30000 miles.
What are the consequences of not replacing the coolant?
Answer: Not replacing the coolant can lead to engine damage.
