The radiator is responsible for keeping the motor cool. If the motor overheats, its parts get so hot they cease up and stop working. Then you have to change out the motor or get another vehicle. Look at the temperature gauge on the dashboard. It may be indicating an excessive high temperature or it might just be flashing, depending on the car.

You need to have a few necessities in the boot in case you encounter a hot rad. You should always have a container of pre-mixed coolant. Coolant sold in the store needs to be halved in strength. A funnel is another good tool to have as the coolant is not the best thing to add to the environment. A thick cloth is a good idea, just in case you do have to open the radiator cap and, of course, work gloves.

There are a few things to remember about checking your radiator fluid. The most important thing is to never, NEVER change the fluid by opening the radiator when the motor is hot, or even if the motor has been running recently. The radiator is found in the front of your vehicle's motor compartment and is usually directly behind the grille. There is a cap, with a thermostat inside it to monitor the temperature of the fluid in the rad.

Be very careful opening the bonnet if there is steam coming out. You need to look beside the radiator for an overflow reservoir. Look and see whether there is any fluid in it. If you can't see any fluid, or if the fluid is below the full line indicator, put the gloves on and grab the coolant and the funnel from the boot. Next, pull the cap off the reservoir and fill it up with the coolant. Wait a few moments to allow the fluid to make its way to the radiator. Recap the reservoir opening. While you're waiting, check the hoses leaving to and from the radiator. You are looking for steam escaping or liquid dripping from them. Hoses do get old and crack from the heat. They can also get nicked from stones or other road debris.

Look at the temperature to see if it has stopped flashing or if the temperature has gone down. If it has, then you should be good to go. However, you should keep an eye on the gauge and check the reservoir once you stop. If the fluid needs to be topped up repeatedly, you could have a leak and will need to stop at your favourite service centre.

You should also have your mechanic flush your radiator when you have your car services. Flushing the radiator and hosing removes dirt and mineral build-up and prolongs the life of the motor and the cooling system.

Just remember that proper disposal of an empty coolant container or puddle of coolant is very important as the coolant can be fatal to children and animals if ingested. You can ask your service centre to toss your container into their refuse bin for toxic waste. A coolant spill can be cleaned up by sprinkling kitty litter over it and, using a piece of card, scraping the entire mucky mess into a plastic bag and disposing it, along with the scraper, in a toxic refuse bin.

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