The Importance of Using the Correct Coolant for Your Vehicle
Not all auto shops are created equal.
Picture the scene: you’re driving your Land Rover Defender along one of the more picturesque roads on Providenciales, but you notice the engine is starting to overheat. You naturally pull over and stop the vehicle, open up the bonnet and take a look. Leaving the engine to cool is fine, but you’re also eager to get back on your way. What should you do?
It’s at this point that so many drivers make the critical mistake of cooling their engines by either adding water, or by adding whatever coolant they can get their hands on. Both of these options can cause serious damage to your vehicle, and in today’s post we’ll explain why only the correct type of coolant for your specific vehicle will do.
Always Use Coolant, Never Water
- First, let’s cover why coolant generally is the only fluid one should use in your Defender or other vehicle’s cooling system. Engine coolant is specifically formulated and engineered to work effectively within an engine without causing corrosion or other damage to your engine and connected parts.Coolant raises the boiling point of your cooling system in summer, and actively protects against rust and other damage. Using regular water—especially the water here in Turks and Caicos—is a one-way ticket to rust and corrosion because of the many minerals in the water that form damaging deposits within your cooling system.If you know anything about coolant products, you may already be thinking: what if I buy a concentrated coolant, don’t I mix that with water? How can water be so bad for the system? You’re not wrong, but the difference is that one mixes concentrated coolant 50/50 with distilled water. This type of water has the harmful minerals removed.
Always Use Coolant, Never Water
- First, let’s cover why coolant generally is the only fluid one should use in your Defender or other vehicle’s cooling system. Engine coolant is specifically formulated and engineered to work effectively within an engine without causing corrosion or other damage to your engine and connected parts.Coolant raises the boiling point of your cooling system in summer, and actively protects against rust and other damage. Using regular water—especially the water here in Turks and Caicos—is a one-way ticket to rust and corrosion because of the many minerals in the water that form damaging deposits within your cooling system.If you know anything about coolant products, you may already be thinking: what if I buy a concentrated coolant, don’t I mix that with water? How can water be so bad for the system? You’re not wrong, but the difference is that one mixes concentrated coolant 50/50 with distilled water. This type of water has the harmful minerals removed.
Coolant Checklist
To sum up, here’s a handy checklist of points to cover when looking at coolant for your vehicle:
- Always check, and double-check, which type of coolant you require either in your owner’s manual and/or with your regular mechanic.
- Pre-mixed or concentrated coolant are both fine, but remember to dilute the concentrated mix with distilled water only. No other water will do.
- Mixing coolant brands and types is a huge mistake. It will most likely result in highly expensive repairs, possibly even your entire engine being in need of rebuilding.
- Your coolant should be changed about every 3 to 5 years, but follow the advice of your mechanic closely, too.
Still Not Sure? Get in Touch with TC Defenders
Talk to Us at TC Defenders
If you still have questions on the right type of coolant for your vehicle, get in touch with us at TC Defenders—we can help answer all your questions related to your Defender as well as other vehicles in Turks and Caicos. Visit our website or give us a call at 649-941-8352.