The mistake is simple and actually quite typical. But it is expensive if the car does not have the right coolant. And many drivers overlook it.
One of the most fatal mistakes you can make with your car in the cold of winter is ignoring coolant. Insufficient glycol in the coolant can have disastrous consequences for your engine when the temperature drops.
In freezing weather, water freezes into ice and expands. If the coolant does not contain enough glycol, it can freeze and destroy vital parts of the engine.
In the worst case, the entire engine block can crack, and you're left with an engine that needs to be replaced. Cracks can occur in all engine parts that come into contact with the frozen coolant.
The extent of the damage depends on the temperature and how quickly the problem is detected. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire engine. In less serious cases, it may be enough to replace the radiator and the entire system behind it.
Modern cars are generally better protected against this type of fault, but older cars are still vulnerable.
To avoid this costly mistake, it is important to check the coolant regularly, especially when the cold weather sets in. You can easily check the level yourself by opening the hood and inspecting the coolant reservoir.
Please note that different types of glycol do not always mix well with each other. Therefore, never mix different types as this can damage the cooling system.
If you are unsure which type of glycol is suitable for your car, you can always find the factory's instructions in the car's instruction manual.
If you don't drive a car with a combustion engine, you shouldn't necessarily expect to get through the winter without any problems. Electric cars also have their problems in the cold. And one of them actually plagues electric cars more often. Read more about it here .
