Did you know that the cooling system and its overheating is the most common cause of mechanical breakdowns on the road? And that overheating can cause severe damage to the engine and the transmission?

Coolant (also termed anti-freeze) protects your engine from overheating and from freezing. The coolant’s effectiveness can diminish over time and lose many of its protective properties—even causing your radiator to rust and corrode. The cooling system itself can get clogged with built-up deposits from oil, grease, scale, hose decomposition, and other materials.

Coolant/antifreeze manufacturers recommend changing the coolant fluid once a year, and some service manuals stipulate flushing and refilling the radiator every 24 months, regardless of mileage. Check your car's owner manual, or come to AAMCO where we can give you information on the recommended interval for changing the coolant in your vehicle. A good rule of thumb is to change the fluid every 24 months (at minimum), or if you have any of the following symptoms:

Your vehicle overheats.
Your coolant or temperature light comes on.
Your temperature gauge reads higher or lower than normal.
Your heater does not work.

Visit your local AAMCO for an AAMCO Cooling System Service, and get a 36-point ProtectCheck Inspection performed on your vehicle at no additional cost.

• A visual check of the cooling system
• Pressure check the cooling system and radiator cap
• Check crankcase oil and automatic transmission fluid
• Drain system
• Clean foreign matter from radiator fins (if necessary)
• Check fan blades and pulleys
• External inspection of all hoses
• Check engine core plugs (where possible)
•Check water pump for leaks
• Refill with proper amount and type of coolant. Bleed system of
  any air
• Check condition and tension of drive belts
• Includes up to 2 gallons of coolant and 1 chemical flush compound*
*Additional cost for manufacturer specified coolant (Dex-Cool).

• Pressure test the entire cooling system and radiator cap
• Drain cooling system
• Inspect water pump, all hoses and belts
• Refill with proper amount and type of coolant. Bleed system of
  any air
• Check condition and tension of drive belts
• Includes up to 2 gallons of coolant

• The vehicle is running hot or overheating
• Leaking of a green fluid
• Belts or hoses that have not been replaced during the past 4
   years.

• Radiator, radiator cap, radiator hoses and radiator fan or fan
  clutch
• Thermostats
• Water pumps
• Fan belts and serpentine belts
• Temperature sensors
• Heater cores and hoses