Why is coolant important during cold weather? Most people only think about their radiators during hot weather. But as one of your car’s primary fluids, the coolant that goes into your radiator needs to be monitored all year around.
Coolant, also called antifreeze, is a vital fluid that keeps your radiator from boiling over during the summer, and, therefore, overheating. Conversely in winter, it keeps your radiator from freezing. In addition, the coolant mixture helps with lubrication (for the moving parts in the water pump).
The following diagram from Car Care Councils online guide shows the major parts of a typical car’s cooling system:
