Your vehicle’s cooling system is incredibly important.

When most people think of the most important part of their vehicle, they don’t often think of the cooling system, but without it, your vehicle would overheat, which can cause severe and permanent damage to your engine if left unaddressed for too long. Unfortunately, when it comes to cooling systems, there are lots of myths out there that can be misleading and leave people with the wrong information. Luckily though, Flex Technologies — your premier provider of silicone coolant hoses — is here to set the record straight about the most common cooling system myths.

Myth #1. Dripping coolant is no big thing.

When you see a small amount of fluid on your driveway or garage floor, you may not even think twice about it. But, any time you notice a stain on your driveway, it’s important to inspect it further, because if it’s coolant, it signifies a leak that needs to be fixed. Additionally, it’s against the law to dump antifreeze and similar hazardous substance into surface waters, which is exactly what happens when it drips on the sidewalk and is washed away by the rain. Furthermore, antifreeze is extremely poisonous, and it also has a sweet smell that attracts kids and pets, so leaving an unattended antifreeze stain is very dangerous.

Myth #2. There’s no better coolant than water.

While it’s true that water is an effective coolant in terms of heat conduction, it’s also true that water can lead to corrosion. If you plan to use straight water as a coolant, it’s incredibly important that you also add a corrosion inhibitor and a water pump lubricant. It’s also advisable to use a coolant enhancer to improve heat conductivity and surface tension.

Keep in mind that most coolant manufacturers recommend that you use a 50/50 mix of water and ethylene glycol. This will protect your cooling system all the way down to -34 degrees Fahrenheit. And, if you decide to go with a 50/50 mix, you can buy antifreeze that is already mixed with water if you prefer.

Myth #3. You don’t have to worry about servicing your cooling system.

The cooling system is out of sight, which to some vehicle owners, means out of mind, and the misconception that cooling systems are maintenance-free is all too common. But, that is simply not the case. In some vehicles, the coolant will start to break down over time, which can cause rust, and eventually lead to rust particles becoming electrically charged. This makes the coolant very corrosive, which can cause severe damage to both your cooling system and your engine.

Another common maintenance misconception is that coolant only needs to be topped off, and never flushed or replaced. Just as the oil in your car will start to break down over time, so will the coolant, which as we mentioned, can lead to severe consequences for your vehicle and your bank account.

Myth #4. All coolant parts and hoses are made equal.

When the time comes to replace your radiator hoses and the other parts of your coolant system, you may think you can get away with simply purchasing the cheapest parts. After all, all coolant parts and hoses are made equal, right? Wrong! When you’re replacing the thermostat, water pump, hoses or any other parts of your coolant system, you’ll be better off if you spend a little more now to buy quality parts. Spending more now could mean less wear and tear, less maintenance and more time between part replacements.

Order the silicone coolant hoses you need with Flex Technologies!

If you’ve got a coolant leak or have noticed any other damage to your radiator hoses, it’s probably time to replace them, and there’s no better option for replacing your coolant hoses than with silicone hoses from Flex Technologies. We produce reliable, high-quality silicone hoses, and there are many benefits to choosing these hoses over the traditional rubber hoses that come standard in most vehicles. In addition to offering a large selection of silicone hoses to choose from, we also have the expertise and the state-of-the-art equipment necessary for producing custom silicone hoses. Shop today!

Are you interested in learning the truth about more common cooling system myths? If so, make sure that you stay tuned for our next blog!