When was the last time you checked the engine coolant in your car? Engine coolant is a crucial part of your car's performance, especially in climates like Florida where heat can be extreme. Engine coolant flows through your radiator, water pump, hoses, and the engine to ensure that it stays cool enough to function. Without the proper amount of engine coolant - or when the coolant is too dirty to do its job - your car is at risk of overheating, which can lead to expensive repairs and even irreparable damage.
That's why it's important to know how to check your engine coolant levels and also be able to spot when it's too dirty to do the job correctly. Dirty coolant is inevitable; as we said, coolant cycles through your Clermont Toyota over and over to keep things cool. Along the way, it picks up dirt, debris, and grime that remains in the coolant, contaminating it. Here's a quick guide on how to spot dirty engine coolant.
Is your engine coolant dirty?
To check your Clermont Toyota's coolant level, all you have to do is pop the hood. Make sure your car is turned off and take a look at the coolant reservoir, where you should be able to check the coolant level without even touching anything. If the level is below the marker on the tank, your engine coolant is too low.
To check how clean the coolant is, open the lid to the coolant reservoir. Normal, clean engine coolant is typically red, green, orange, or blue in color. It's also relatively translucent - you can see through it even though it's a thicker fluid. If your coolant is dirty, you'll be able to see contaminants in it, or it may be thick and sludgy or brown in color.
Those are the main indicators that your car needs clean coolant; here are a few more from the experts at Toyota of Clermont.
- You have steam coming out from under your car's hood
- You see a coolant leak - you'll find puddles of coolant under your car
- Your coolant light or check engine light comes on
- Your car's temperature gauge is running high, meaning your engine is overheating
If you notice dirty coolant, you need to visit Toyota of Clermont ASAP. Our techs will conduct a coolant flush to get things clean, full, and running again. You could just empty the coolant out and put fresh coolant in, sure - but don't forget, the dirt, debris, and other contaminants are still in your engine, radiator, hoses, and lines. Your clean, new coolant won't stay clean for long.
Schedule coolant service at Toyota of Clermont today
Need engine coolant service? Toyota of Clermont has got you covered. Call us today at (352) 404-7001 or stop by! We're conveniently located just west of the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50.
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