The engine is the most overworked component of a vehicle. It is also most susceptible to overheat due to the friction which releases heat and the compact and close environment it works in. Thus a system that will cool it is needed for the engine's optimum performance.
The radiator is the primary component in a vehicle's cooling system. It is one type of heat exchanger, which works by transferring heat from the flowing coolant to the air carried by the fan. The coolant, a liquid mixture of water with ethylene glycol, is also called "antifreeze." It flows from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator where it is cooled. Commonly, the radiator is placed behind the vehicle's grille, so that it can benefit from the air flowing through the grille. However, mid- and rear-engined vehicles are equipped with special body ducts and vents so that air can go through the radiator core.
There are different kinds of radiators depending on their functions. An oil cooler, for example, is installed specifically to cool the motor oil. Vehicles with automatic transmission, on the other hand, usually include extra connections to the radiator. This is to cool the transmission fluid by transferring its heat to the coolant in the radiator. Turbo charged or supercharged engines, however, can be equipped with an intercooler, air-to-air, or air-to-water radiator that reduces the temperature of the incoming charge. Air conditioning also uses a special type of cooling radiator that is sometimes connected to the engine's coolant radiator, which may look as one component.
As an integral part of the vehicle, the must always be in top condition. It is important to have an ample amount of coolant in the radiator to avoid engine malfunction. Thus the coolant level should be checked once in a while. It will also be helpful to regularly inspect the cooling system for leaks. If there is any, getting professional help is recommended. A sign of radiator failure is when the engine temperature rises more than it usually does. Immediately resolving such problems will not only save repair costs, but also keep a longer lasting engine.
