Posted on 1/30/2026
Most drivers are pretty good about oil changes, and at least aware of brakes and tires. Coolant is the one that gets ignored because it usually stays quiet. No squeal, no shake, no obvious warning until the day the temperature gauge climbs and your stomach drops with it. We’ve seen a lot of cooling systems that could’ve been saved with one routine service, but instead they waited until the car made the decision for them. Why Coolant Gets Skipped Until It Becomes A Problem Coolant doesn’t “run out” like fuel, so it’s easy to assume it lasts forever. The reality is that coolant is a chemical mix that ages. Over time, it loses corrosion protection, its pH changes, and it can start leaving deposits in places you really want to keep clean. A lot of people also confuse topping off with maintenance. Adding a little coolant may help the level, but it doesn’t refresh the additives that protect the radiator, heater core, water pump ... read more