Car Radiators – Functions, How to Maintain, and Brand Recommendations

The car radiator is an important component that has a function to maintain engine temperature. A good radiator system will keep the temperature of the car from overheating even in the combustion process.

Therefore, maintaining the performance of the radiator is very important. Vehicle owners must know how to choose a good car radiator and tips on how to care for it so that the engine temperature is maintained so that it can avoid damage to other vehicle components.

Come on, see information about car radiators, ranging from functions, types, to brand recommendations and how to care for them below.

Car Radiator Function

The main function of the radiator is as a car cooling system. This system is supported by three components, namely coolant, lubricating oil, and air, which are elements that determine the efficiency of car engine performance.

When the car engine is turned on, a combustion process occurs which will cause a hot temperature. This condition will continue to appear as long as the car is driven. Well, without a cooling system, the heat will get hotter when used.

This is where the car radiator functions as a cooling system to control the temperature to prevent overheating.

How the radiator works begins when water (coolant) with a neutral temperature flows into the channel that surrounds the engine to absorb heat. As it flows, the coolant will absorb the heat and bring it back to the radiator. When it returns, the radiator will cool the coolant again and throw the heat into the air.

Well, if there is damage or failure of the radiator system, there will be overheating or excessive heat which if left unchecked will damage the components inside the engine.

Types of Radiators

There are four types of cooling systems in cars, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Get to know the following types of car radiators.

Plain Water

As the name suggests, this type of radiator uses plain water as the coolant. In terms of effectiveness as a coolant, it tends to be less than optimal, but ordinary water has a low boiling point of around 100 degrees Celsius so it can still be used as a radiator.

The type of coolant from ordinary water can be tap water and mineral water. However, it should be noted that if you use plain water, it runs out more quickly, especially when facing extreme conditions such as being stuck in traffic jams during the day.

Then, plain water can also cause rust and scale in the long term because of the mineral content in it. If left unchecked, rust will erode the surface of the pipe, causing the car radiator to leak.

Coolant Radiator

This type of car radiator is a liquid specially formulated to absorb heat with a high boiling point which is about 10 degrees Celsius higher than ordinary water. The high boiling point makes this type of coolant protected from evaporation when in contact with high temperatures in the car engine.

The main ingredients in car radiator coolant are water without minerals, anti-freeze propylene glycol. and rust inhibitors. Coolant radiators have the advantage of being able to prevent corrosion or rust on metal materials. Its use is also more practical because it can be used directly without the need to be diluted.

Radiator Super Coolant

Unlike the radiator coolant, the super coolant type must be diluted using clean water in a 50:50 ratio before using it. Radiator super coolant has a high boiling point, which is around 130 degrees Celsius if the dilution ratio is appropriate.

With a high boiling point, making the radiator super coolant absorb more heat from the engine without worrying about evaporation and running out.

Antifreeze and Coolant Protector

Similar to super coolant radiators, antifreeze and coolant protector types must also be thawed, especially by using clean water. Regarding the comparison itself, it adapts to the climate in which the car is used. For Indonesia with a tropical climate, the ratio used is 50:50.

The boiling point is not much different from the Radiator Super Coolant and can withstand heat up to 128 degrees Celsius. With the addition of Antifreeze, making this type of radiator can be used in sub-tropical conditions because it will not freeze when in extreme cold temperatures.

Recommendations for a Good Radiator Water Brand

After knowing the various types of radiator water, next we will discuss what are the best brands that produce quality radiator coolant. Read more in the list below:

Top1 Power Coolant

The Top1 brand is known as a well-known car oil product. Coolant radiator products from Top1 are also of good quality and contain ethylene glycol which can reach a boiling point of up to 110 degrees Celsius.

In addition, Top1 car radiators also contain organic carboxylate rush inhibitors originating from America which have excellent ability to prevent corrosion. Size Top1 Power Coolant is available in various variations. For example, for Top1 Power Coolant – Green Air Radiator Coolant, the size of 4 Liters, is priced at Rp. 110 thousand in online stores.

Prestone Coolant

The Prestone car radiator brand comes from America which is priced starting from Rp. 65 thousand. Prestone coolant has a boiling point of up to 126 degrees Celsius and is proven to make the performance of the car air conditioner more optimal.

Coolant which has a green color is also claimed not to make the engine rust and porous and has protection against aluminum. In use, you can give another antifreeze mixture.

Vegacool

The Vegacool brand has long been known as an air radiator that has affordable prices. This coolant has a red color and has a good ability to keep the engine temperature cool.

Regarding its ability to prevent corrosion, there is no need to doubt it because it meets ISO 9001 standards. Vegacool is sold at a price of Rp. 60 thousand which is available in two variants, namely Vegacool Red and Vegacool Green.

Bryston Coolant Radiator

Bryston radiator water comes from Japan which has the best quality but an economical price, starting from IDR 49 thousand per 5 liters. Manufactured using technology from Japan, this car radiator coolant has the advantage of being able to maximize AC performance.

In addition, Bryston will provide protection against the temperature of the car engine, also able to prevent the engine from corrosion. Just like Vegacool, the color of this coolant is also red

Megacool

The next good car radiator brand is Megacool. This coolant is green in color with a concentrate content of about -1. The price of this Megacool brand radiator water starts from Rp. 34 thousand.

Although affordable, the quality is no less good in providing good maintenance of car radiator components. This cooling water is also able to provide a stable air conditioner temperature and work optimally.

Master Coolant Radiator

Master Coolant is known as one of the best radiator water brands and is widely used in Indonesia. With prices starting from only IDR 65,000, Master Coolant has the advantage of keeping the engine temperature stable and not rusting and corroding.

Meanwhile, the concentrate content in the radiator water is also fairly good, which is around -7. So that the radiator water is able to make the engine performance of the car remain excellent because the engine temperature is still capable in normal circumstances.

Carrera Air Radiator

The last recommended air coolant is Carrera which has been produced using advanced technology. This brand has good corrosion protection and is able to keep the engine temperature cool. Even when carried on long trips, it will remain stable because this water has a concentrate content of around -3.

How to Care for the Right Car Radiator

Even though the radiator water brand is already good, it will be meaningless if you don't take care of it properly. In maintaining the radiator, there are several things that must be done to prevent the car radiator from leaking or overheating, including:

Make Sure the Water Volume Is Right

Overfilling the radiator water supply can cause the hose to burst or the radiator to be damaged due to too high a pressure. For this reason, vehicle owners must ensure that the water volume in the car radiator is appropriate and in accordance with the recommended standards.

Especially considering the water in the car radiator serves to maintain temperature stability in the car engine. If it's not right and the volume on the car's radiator is reduced, it will result in the temperature of the car engine becoming very hot or often called overheating.

Regularly Clean the Radiator Tank

The thing that you need to pay attention to when caring for a car radiator is to regularly clean the radiator tank. The trick is to drain it regularly, at least once every two weeks.

Use Radiator Coolant

The use of the type of water in the radiator is also very important. Compared to using tap water, you should use a radiator coolant that was deliberately created as radiator water.

In addition to maintaining the temperature of the car engine, radiator coolant also functions to remove dirt and rust that has accumulated in the radiator tank.

Check the Condition of the Car Radiator

Before using your vehicle, you must make sure that the radiator is tightly closed. The goal is to prevent leakage in the radiator coolant fluid while holding a hot engine temperature.

Make sure to always check regularly so that driving activities are safer and more comfortable.

Pay Attention to the Signs You Have to Fill the Car Radiator with Water

Signs when to fill the radiator water is to pay attention to the car radiator indicator light. When the car indicator light is on, it means you have to immediately fill the water in the radiator.

However, do not open it while the radiator is still hot. If you keep pushing, what happens you can get hot water sprayed out of the radiator.

If the Car Radiator Water Is Cloudy, Make Sure to Replace It with a New One

If the radiator water is cloudy, make sure not to mix it with new water. You should replace the old water with new one. How to replace the radiator water is also quite easy, namely:

• First, open the radiator water cap, then unscrew the bolt located at the exhaust section at the bottom of the radiator.
• Wait until the radiator water flows into the drain until it runs out.
• If the car's radiator water has come out, it can be filled. When charging, make sure the car engine must be turned on so that all the radiator water can come out. But it must be remembered, in the process of filling the radiator, not when the engine is hot.
• Before charging, do not use the car first to keep the engine cold.

If the engine is cold, then you can start the engine and open the radiator cap to fill it or just check the water condition.

Car Radiator Repair Is Expensive, Leave It to Car Insurance

To note, on average, the service fee for a car radiator at an official repair shop is between IDR 250-400 thousand. So that you don't have to spend too much money on vehicle repair costs, you need to insure your car with insurance. There are several types of insurance premiums that you can choose according to your needs. namely all risk and total loss only (TLO).

If you are still confused about choosing the right car insurance. follow the simulation of choosing a vehicle insurance from Auto Insurance Agencies below.

Also calculate the premium range with the following Auto Insurance Agencies Calculator.

That's information about car radiators and recommendations for radiator coolant fluids from various brands. If you have questions about financial planning, as well as want to get the best insurance recommendations, just consult at Ask Lifepa l!