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Engine coolant is key to keeping your vehicle running smoothly. It helps to regulate engine temperature, preventing overheating and potential damage. Choosing the right coolant for your vehicle can make all the difference to its performance. It's also important to replace your coolant at recommended intervals. Contact our experts at Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena, Texas, to learn more about coolant or make a service appointment at our Chevy service center to get yours changed. more The Role of Coolant in a Car Coolant lubricates moving parts in an internal combustion engine and protects the engine from overheating. When your engine burns fuel to power your Chevrolet Equinox or Silverado truck, it can generate extreme heat. Some of this heat is released through the exhaust, but coolant is required to keep the engine's components safe. The difference between coolant and antifreeze is that coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze that helps to regulate engine temperature, while antifreeze is a concentrated glycol-based liquid that can prevent your car engine from freezing up in cold weather. Coolant can be used as antifreeze, as it's capable of protecting your engine's parts against freezing temperatures, but antifreeze shouldn't be used as coolant. How Do Coolants Work? Your engine coolant is stored in a reservoir that's connected to the coolant system. The process starts when the water pump transfers the coolant into your engine's block, where it absorbs the excess heat to control the engine's temperature. The coolant is then pumped to the radiator, where the heat it has absorbed is removed. Once coolant reaches a low temperature, it returns to the beginning of the cycle and passes through the engine again. This process will continue while your engine is running so that its components are safeguarded against overheating as well as wear and tear. In addition to cooling your engine's parts, coolant has properties to reduce friction between engine parts and prevent rust and corrosion. These properties are especially helpful for keeping the radiator, pump, hoses, and other parts in good working condition for years to come. Corrosion and rust can cause major car issues, as particles and debris can block hoses and clog your radiator, which prevent coolant from circulating effectively. The end result could be an overheating engine. Types of Engine Coolant There are three common types of engine coolant used in vehicles: Inorganic acid technology coolant is traditionally used on older vehicles and is typically green or yellow. It requires changing more frequently than coolants in newer vehicles because its properties wear out more quickly. Organic acid technology coolants come in a wider range of colors and are often used in newer vehicles. There's also a hybrid organic acid technology variant, which is a combination of the other two coolant types. It's important to make sure that you use the correct coolant for your vehicle type. Your Chevy owner's manual will specify the best type of coolant to use for your Chevrolet vehicle. Using the wrong coolant may lead to poor vehicle performance and potential engine damage. Sticking to the right coolant and changing it after the recommended mileage can help prevent vehicle problems. Many coolants need to be changed after 50,000 miles of driving, which takes about four years on average. Diagnosing Low Coolant Levels Various signs can give you a warning that your coolant levels are low. You may see steam or smoke rising from your engine, or your engine may be overheating. You may also notice coolant leaking from the radiator or coolant system, which may be caused by corrosion or another problem. If you're dealing with a leak, it's important to determine whether you've been using the right coolant. Since using the wrong coolant may have caused interior damage to the radiator, repair might be needed to prevent the reemergence of the same issue. Can You Mix Different Coolants? Mixing various coolants isn't a good idea. Each coolant and antifreeze has its own chemical formula to ensure best performance. The formulas make sure that the coolant doesn't freeze when it's cold or overheat while it's cooling the engine. The danger with mixing coolants is that the chemical mixture you produce could damage your engine. It could also lead to the corrosion of other components. If you're changing to a new coolant, the best approach is to fully drain the old coolant before adding the new one. Can You Use Water as a Coolant Substitute? We don't recommend using pure water as a coolant. If absolutely necessary, water can be used as a temporary substitute for coolant, but it's not recommended for long-term use, as pure water can cause rust and corrosion to your engine's components. Coolant is a mixture of water and other substances designed to reduce the risk of rust. Water can also freeze when it gets cold, which can cause burst hoses and cracked engine blocks. Engines are among the most expensive parts of your car to repair, so you'll want to avoid the risk of potential problems from happening. Schedule a Service Appointment at Monument Chevrolet If you're looking for a reliable service center in Pasadena to take care of your coolant maintenance, our team at Monument Chevrolet is here to help. Our Chevy mechanics can handle all coolant changes and part repairs with ease thanks to our cutting-edge technology and excellent know-how. Before you visit our dealership, don't forget to check out our service specials to see if you can save some money during your car service. Should you have any further questions about your engine coolant or you want to arrange a service appointment, feel free to contact us today. Schedule Service Appointment Image by Jason Leung is licensed with Unsplash License

If you own a Chevrolet, you want to make sure you maintain it properly so that it lasts as long as you need it. With that in mind, it's important to know how often you should get a Chevy oil change. The answer is that it depends on how old your vehicle is and your personal driving habits. Photo by: GM Assets How Often Should You Get a Chevy Oil Change? Manufacturer Recommendations Newer Chevrolets are equipped with an Engine Oil Life System, which is able to detect when the oil needs to be changed. The great thing about this system is that you don't have to remember to schedule an appointment until you get the message to "Change Engine Oil Soon." If you drive under ideal conditions, you may not see this message for a year, but if your conditions are not so perfect, you could see it in three months. The manufacturer recommends that the engine oil be changed at least once a year, since oil does eventually break down, even under the best of conditions. However, this is much longer than the frequency that used to be recommended for vehicles, which was three months or 3,000 miles, whichever came first. The technology behind both engines and oil has advanced to the point where it's no longer necessary to change it that often unless your habits dictate it. Driving Habits Dictate Oil Change Frequency The real factor in how often you should get your oil changed is your driving habits. Certain driving conditions cause the oil in your car to break down faster, meaning its engine protection properties don't last as long. If you drive under any of the following conditions, check with your Chevrolet service center to determine the right oil change frequency for you. You make frequent short driving trips You frequently travel in stop-and-go traffic (rush hour) You drive in unusually dusty conditions You live in either an extremely hot or extremely cold climate You frequently tow heavy loads You frequently haul heavy loads You are preparing for a long road trip and it's been at least three months since the last change How to Tell If Your Oil Needs to Be Changed As previously mentioned, most newer Chevrolets have an Engine Oil Life System installed, which will tell you when your oil needs to be changed. However, if your car is not equipped with this feature, you have other ways to determine if your oil needs to be changed. The normal color of clean oil is translucent amber. If it's a dark, opaque brown, or black, your oil is dirty and needs to be changed. If you hear a knocking or ticking in your engine compartment while you're idling or driving, this is an indication that the level of oil is low, and as such, it's not providing enough protection for engine parts. The sound you hear is the parts rubbing or hitting against each other. Check your oil level using the dipstick to determine whether you need to add oil, or simply bring it in to a service technician for an oil change. Taking proper care of your Chevrolet will ensure its life is extended for as long as possible. Contact Monument Chevrolet to schedule your oil change today.

A vehicle service contract or VSC is an insurance policy on your vehicle. It’s a safeguard against expensive and unforeseen repairs that can occur. It can cover repairs for an agreed-upon period of time and miles. Photo: GM Assets Why Should You Get a Vehicle Service Contract for Your Car? Unforeseen expenses for vehicle repair can leave you in a bind. A VSC reduces financial stress and gives you peace of mind so you can drive with confidence. What is Covered under a Vehicle Service Contract? Depending on the coverage level, a VSC can cover components from front/rear-wheel drive to electrical and computer components. Purchasing a Vehicle Service Contact Photo: Ally Monument Chevrolet offers Ally Premier Protection that tailors coverage packages to your needs. They also include added assurances like roadside assistance, trip interruption and alternate transportation for the road ahead. You can add a Vehicle Service Contract to the end of factory warranty or 3rd party warranties as long as your vehicle passes inspection. Contact our finance department for more information.