| The recession has hit just about everybody hard. | | | | The key word in that phrase is "chemical". There's no |
| Money is tight and most of us are looking for ways to | | | | way to camouflage the issue. The chemicals in your |
| save some. One area where it's relatively easy to do | | | | car coolant system are simply nasty. This is where the |
| this is with car repairs. Simply put, you can do repairs | | | | issue of safety comes to the forefront. |
| yourself and save a bunch of money. Doing so is fine, | | | | For some reason, coolant is highly attractive to every |
| however, you need to make sure that you don't cause | | | | thing from your pets to children. Perhaps the bright |
| more trouble than you think by doing the work yourself. | | | | color of coolant is attractive or liquid on a cool day just |
| As the temperatures warm up with the onset of | | | | seems good, but kids and pets will go for it. The |
| spring, it's time to start thinking about the coolant | | | | problem, of course, is the chemicals in coolant will |
| system in your car. Every year, you need to make | | | | seriously injury or kill a child or pet. This stuff is nasty. |
| sure that the system is working at peak so that it | | | | While tragic, the truth is that most instances of children |
| doesn't fail you when the days get really hot and you | | | | being harmed because they take a mouthful of |
| need the car to work. While checking your radiator | | | | coolant are pretty rare. The reality is far more likely |
| and hoses are very important, the most common | | | | that your pets will get into it. For some reason, cats |
| maintenance step that makes a huge difference is to | | | | appear to be particularly attracted to it. A couple |
| change your own coolant. Fortunately, it's fairly simple, | | | | tongue laps of coolant, however, will kill your cat. It |
| but there is a safety issue that has to be considered. | | | | takes a bit more for a dog, but not much. |
| What is the safety issue? It has to do with the nature | | | | Changing your coolant by yourself instead of taking it |
| of the coolant. If you put water into your radiator, | | | | into a shop can save you some serious cash. The |
| you're making a mistake. Coolant systems have gone | | | | cost of coolant is about 10 bucks per bottle. That being |
| high-tech. Remember, this is the key thing that is | | | | said, it is going to cost you a lot more if you're not |
| keeping your engine from seizing up. Replacing engines | | | | careful. Make sure you seal the container you put the |
| is expensive, so make sure you get this one right. The | | | | coolant in. Once done with the project, make sure to |
| coolant that you want to put in the radiator is a mix of | | | | take your coolant down to the local gas station or to a |
| various chemicals that are designed to fight corrosion | | | | facility where it can be disposed of properly. |
| and deal with the vast heat produced by the engine. | | | | |