Why is a coolant fluid exchange so important?
Coolant breaks down like any other engine
fluid. Just as motor oil has crucial engine performance additives, your coolant
has additives that prevent boiling, freezing and corrosion. When these
additives are low, contaminants and fragments can begin to build up on your
radiator, affecting its performance.
How often should a coolant exchange be performed on my
vehicle?
GM
recommends a coolant flush every 5 years or 240,000 kms whichever comes first.
What might indicate that my engine’s coolant needs
exchanging or inspection?
Significant coolant problem indicators:
· Low coolant levels: If your coolant is low, you could have a leak in your
cooling system. You may be able to see the leak under your vehicle, and you may
be able to smell it as well. If you notice this, get your coolant inspected at
the soonest opportunity. Other potential leak culprits include a bad radiator
cap, blocked radiator or damaged sensor.
· Discoloured coolant: Coolant color should never change, but it can when coolant
gets contaminated with debris or it’s been in your car so long that the
additives in it deplete. When coolant color changes or gets cloudy, bring it to
us to see if it needs to be changed.
· Engine overheats: Worst-case scenario: your engine can overheat, seize-up and
crack, causing your car to stop completely. If this has happened, it’s probably
too late for a fluid exchange — you may need a whole engine exchange.
What is the benefit of having a transmission fluid exchange
performed?
An exchange prevents your transmission from
slipping due to wear and tear – and it helps prevent your vehicle from not
moving at all.
By having your old transmission fluid
exchanged with new fluid, you’ll be back to driving with a clean,
smooth-shifting and replenished transmission system. You may experience what
feels like a night-and-day change, since refreshing your system with
friction-modifying additives means gears shift more smoothly.
Discover the power a transmission fluid exchange can have on
your driving experience.
How does transmission fluid break down, and what happens
when it does?
Just like motor oil, transmission fluid
experiences breakdown from normal wear and tear.
When a car’s transmission shifts gears, it
causes friction. This, in turn, generates heat, and that heat must be carried
away by the fluid. The greater the load on the transmission, the more heat it
creates and the hotter the fluid becomes. The hotter the fluid runs, the more
quickly it experiences breakdown and the shorter its lifespan. When this
happens, the fluid’s ability to lubricate crucial parts is decreased.
Adding insult to injury, heat generated from
the transmission’s mechanics causes debris from the gears, bearings and
friction plates inside the transmission to compromise the quality of the fluid.
Transmission fluid contains additives to
produce oxidation stability, reduce foaming and inhibit corrosion; these, too,
can get worse over time.
Changing the fluid at regular intervals is the
only way to get rid of the contaminants, boost the benefits of additives and
keep your vehicle running smoothly. Properly maintained transmission fluid
cools and lubricates the moving parts, enabling hydraulics and gears to
transfer power from your engine to your wheels. Now, that’s an important job.
Never wait for symptoms of transmission fluid
breakdown to progress.
What symptoms may indicate my transmission fluid is
breaking down?
Few signs indicate there’s a problem with your
transmission fluid – until it’s too late.
Automatic
transmission: A usually smooth ride
may feel sluggish when shifting gears or the time it takes to shift gears may
take longer. This is usually a sign that your transmission fluid is no longer
coating your transmission parts.
Manual
transmission: “Clunking,” “clashing”
or waiting for your transmission to “catch” are definite red flags.
Unfortunately, by then, damage has likely occurred.
If any of these symptoms occur, do not ignore
them. Have us inspect your vehicle as soon as possible in order to reduce
damage to your vehicle.
What are the other ways to tell your transmission fluid is
old?
Your transmission dipstick can also tell the
story about your transmission fluid condition.
· The colour: Automatic transmission fluid should be translucent and/or
red in color. Meanwhile, healthy manual transmission fluid may appear red, dark
green, blackened or even translucent. If your transmission fluid looks cloudy,
or has a dark or brownish tinge, it might be time for a fluid exchange.
· Burning odour: If your transmission fluid has a burned smell, it’s time
for new transmission fluid.
· Low fluid levels: Though it may help to do a transmission fluid exchange if
your transmission fluid dips below a safe level, it’s really time for a
transmission inspection since you shouldn’t be losing fluid.
If your vehicle is 5 years old or older or if it has more than 240,000 kms then come on in to the dealership for a Coolant Flush & enter for a chance to win a free BBQ (pictured here)! Entries will be accepted until May 30 2016 & our draw date will be on June 3/16 just in time for some delicious summer grilling! Contact one of our Service Advisors at 705-526-0193 to book your appointment!
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