Winter is just around the corner! Not only do we need to winterize our homes, we also need to remember to winterize our automobiles by adding or changing the antifreeze in them.
If you forget to do this your auto won't last long. You need to be sure that you have enough antifreeze in your radiator so when the winter temperature gets down to freezing the liquid in your radiator won't freeze. If this happens it can bust the block in your car which is very costly to replace, you will have to have your motor rebuilt or put a total different motor in the auto.
You can buy premixed antifreeze (this is antifreeze that you don't have to mix water with) but it cost more. Your best buy is to buy unmixed antifreeze, this is antifreeze that you mix with distilled water. Usually half water and half antifreeze.
It is very easy to test your car's antifreeze. Antifreeze testers are quite cheep, usually as low as five to six dollars. Of course you can buy more expensive testers but that really isn't necessary. Using the tester is quite easy. Be sure your car is cool then remove the radiator cap, insert the hose on the tester into the radiator, give it a little time to be sure you get the correct reading on the gauge. Once you get the reading the gage will tell you if it is not 50-50 or if the antifreeze in your radiator is bad and needs to be changed or if it is still good antifreeze.
If the reading isn't low enough for your areas winter weather then you will need to add antifreeze. If you don't have enough room in the radiator to add extra antifreeze, you will need to flush the radiator and refill it. You flush your radiator by using the drain plug on the radiator or by taking the bottom radiator hose off. Let the water drain out, then insert the plug back in or put the hose back on. Before adding your antifreeze be sure that you have the plug and or hose tight so you don't loose all your new antifreeze.
It is pretty simple to check your autos antifreeze and can save you time and money.money
