Radiator fluid may sound trivial, but it plays a crucial role in the health of your car's engine. This fluid keeps the engine temperature stable and prevents overheating, which can ruin your trip.

The problem is, radiator fluid can run out over time and needs to be refilled. Many car owners choose to do this themselves at home. However, there are a number of small mistakes that, if overlooked, can cause engine problems and even be dangerous for yourself. Let's take a look at the blunders to avoid when changing your car's radiator fluid.

1. Opening the Radiator Cap When the Engine is Hot

This is a classic mistake that still happens often. Opening the radiator cap when the engine is hot can cause coolant to spray out. The danger? Your skin can get burned and leave permanent scars. In addition, the air that enters can disrupt the cooling flow, making the engine more prone to overheating.

2. Forgetting to Bleed Air from the Cooling System

Air is the enemy of radiators. If trapped inside, the engine will overheat quickly and the car's AC will also malfunction. How to detect it? Air bubbles are usually visible on the surface of the radiator water. So, make sure to bleed the air when refilling to keep the coolant circulation smooth.

3. Using Regular Water as a Coolant Substitute

Ever run out of radiator water on the road and fill it up with mineral water or tap water? Be careful, this habit can cause the radiator to rust, the water to evaporate quickly, and minimize engine protection. The safest solution is to use the coolant recommended by the manufacturer.

4. Radiator Cap Not Tight

The radiator cap may be small, but it serves a vital function: preventing fluid leaks and overheating. So, always make sure it is tight and the rubber is still in good condition. If it is brittle, replace it immediately.

5. Forgetting to Clean the Radiator Tank

Replacing the radiator water without cleaning the tank is like using a dirty water bottle for new water. Dirt can cause the radiator to rust quickly and eventually lead to overheating. A clean tank = a longer-lasting radiator.

6. Ignoring the Cooling Fan

The cooling fan is the radiator's loyal partner. If the fan is stuck, it's difficult to dissipate the engine heat. An easy way to check? Turn on the car's AC, then listen to see if the fan is working normally.

So, if you want to change the radiator fluid yourself, don't rush. Ensure all steps are safe and correct to keep the engine cool, the car durable, and the ride comfortable. Remember, sometimes small things can cause big problems if overlooked.

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6 Kesalahan Umum Saat Ganti Air Radiator Mobil Sendiri

Air radiator mungkin terdengar sepele, tapi perannya buat kesehatan mesin mobil itu krusial banget. Cairan ini menjaga suhu mesin tetap stabil dan mencegah overheating yang bisa bikin perjalanan berantakan.

Masalahnya, air radiator bisa habis seiring waktu dan perlu diisi ulang. Memang, banyak pemilik mobil memilih untuk melakukannya sendiri di rumah. Tapi, ada sederet kesalahan kecil yang kalau disepelekan justru bisa bikin mesin bermasalah, bahkan berbahaya buat diri sendiri. Yuk, simak apa saja blunder yang harus dihindari saat mengganti air radiator mobil.

1. Nekat Buka Tutup Radiator Saat Mesin Panas

Ini kesalahan klasik tapi masih sering kejadian. Membuka tutup radiator ketika mesin panas bisa bikin coolant menyembur keluar. Bahayanya? Kulit bisa melepuh dan meninggalkan bekas permanen. Selain itu, udara yang masuk bisa mengacaukan aliran pendingin, bikin mesin makin gampang overheat.

2. Lupa Buang Udara dari Sistem Pendingin

Udara adalah musuh radiator. Kalau terjebak di dalam, mesin jadi cepat panas dan AC mobil ikut melempem. Cara mendeteksinya? Biasanya terlihat gelembung udara di permukaan air radiator. Jadi, pastikan buang udara saat isi ulang supaya sirkulasi pendingin tetap lancar.

3. Pakai Air Biasa Sebagai Pengganti Coolant

Pernah kehabisan air radiator di jalan lalu isi pakai air mineral atau air keran? Hati-hati, kebiasaan ini bisa bikin radiator berkarat, air cepat menguap, dan perlindungan mesin jadi minim. Solusi paling aman adalah gunakan coolant sesuai rekomendasi pabrikan.

4. Tutup Radiator Tidak Rapat

Tutup radiator mungkin kecil, tapi fungsinya vital: mencegah kebocoran cairan dan overheating. Jadi, selalu pastikan posisinya rapat dan kondisi karetnya masih bagus. Kalau sudah getas, segera ganti.

5. Lupa Bersihkan Tangki Radiator

Mengganti air radiator tanpa membersihkan tangki sama saja seperti pakai botol minum kotor untuk air baru. Kotoran bisa bikin radiator cepat berkarat dan akhirnya memicu overheating. Tangki yang bersih = radiator lebih awet.

6. Abaikan Kipas Pendingin

Kipas pendingin itu tandem setia radiator. Kalau kipas macet, panas mesin susah dihalau. Cara gampang ngecek? Nyalakan AC mobil, lalu dengarkan apakah kipas bekerja normal.

Jadi, kalau mau ganti air radiator sendiri, jangan buru-buru. Pastikan semua langkah aman dan benar supaya mesin tetap adem, mobil awet, dan perjalanan nyaman. Ingat, kadang hal kecil justru bisa bikin masalah besar kalau disepelekan.