During the summer, your cooling system may be feeling the heat more than any other time of the year. To keep it at its best, start off by first getting to know its components and what they do.

Get to Know Your Cooling System

As temperatures continue to rise, your car's cooling system may have to work harder to keep your engine operating safely. Because of this, having some knowledge of how it all works can help you avoid some issues this summer. To get to know your cooling system and to detect issues before they have a chance to develop into something serious, use this information from Syntex Lubricants.

The Most Important Components of Your Cooling System

Your car's cooling system is made up of a number of different parts, each of which has an important job to perform. Getting to know these parts and what they do will be helpful when maintaining your cooling system. If you don't know much about how a cooling system operates, the following information can help you lay down a solid foundation:

• Radiator: Your car's radiator is one of the most crucial parts of your cooling system. This component is what receives your coolant after it has circulated through the engine and removed some of the heat from it. When it enters the radiator, this part helps cool it down before sending it back on its way.
• Thermostat: Before your coolant reaches the radiator is first has to flow through the thermostat. Because of this, the thermostat is located between the engine and the radiator. Your car's thermostat will only open to let coolant through when it has reached a certain high temperature. When things are still just warming up, it will remain closed.
• Water Pump: The water pump has the job of ensuring your coolant is able to flow through the entire cooling system. Without a functioning water pump, your coolant wouldn't be able to do its job, leaving your engine to overheat.
• Fans: Right by your radiator, you'll find a couple of fans. These won't be on all the time since they're regulated by temperature sensors. Only when things are getting too hot under the hood will these fans turn on and give some extra support to the radiator.
• Coolant: Finally, your car relies on its coolant to keep temperaturs at a reasonable level. As this fluid circulates through the cooling system, it picks up heat from the engine and carries it away so that things don't reach dangerous temperatures. Of course, you'll have to flush and refill your coolant about once every year and top it off when it's low to prevent overheating.

Get your car summer ready with the help of a synthetic oil change in Kyle. Using a quality synthetic oil like AMSOIL Oil's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil can help your car run more efficiently, helping to keep things cool under the hood. You can find even more great products like this by contacting the oil pros at Syntex Lubricants at (512) 848- 8240.

Signs That Point to a Cooling System Issue

• Coolant Leaks: If you're wondering how your coolant gets from one part to another, there are a series of hoses that are basically like your cooling system's pipes and plumbing. Through the years, these can start to get worn out and may even start cracking. When this happens, leaks are bound to occur. You can usually spot a coolant leak by looking under your car. If you notice green dots of fluid, definitely have your cooling system checked out before you start running out of coolant.
• White Exhaust Smoke: External leaks can be easier to detect than internal leaks, but paying attention to your exhaust can help. When your coolant is leaking internally, it will often burn in the combustion chamber and lead to thick, white smoke exiting through your exhaust pipe. If you notice your exhaust smoke has changed, get this checked out by a professional.
• Overheating Engine: Many of the issues your cooling system may encounter can lead to an overheating engine. Pay attention to your temperature gauge and never ignore signs of an issue, such as your coolant dashboard light or smoke coming out from under your hood. Ignoring these issues can lead to overheating and serious engine damage.

Give Your Car a Synthetic Oil Change in Kyle

Prepare your car for the summer heat by giving it a synthetic oil change in Kyle. If you've never used synthetic oil, the friendly oil pros at Syntex Lubricants can help you find the perfect products for your engine. To learn more about their products, give them a call at (512) 848- 8240.