The Importance of Heavy Truck & Equipment Engine Coolants

The Importance of Heavy Truck & Equipment Engine Coolants

Engines come in thousands of different styles and sizes, but they all operate on the same basic principle: turning a fuel, like gasoline or diesel, into the power that runs the moving parts of your vehicle. However, since this process is not 100% efficient, every engine also has something else in common – they all use a special kind of coolant to keep excessive heat from destroying your engine.
 
Without coolant, temperatures and pressures inside your engine’s hoses, pipes, lines, and other components could quickly get out of control, causing permanent and irreversible damage. It’s important to have not only enough of it, but to make sure it’s the right type and that it’s working properly for the job your vehicle is performing.

As with all the rest of the parts of your vehicle, the technology behind engine fluids like coolants has improved greatly over time, and as engines have become more complex, the products that are safe to use within them have changed. For coolants, the formulae have been modified – especially for heavy-duty diesel engines that are extremely complicated – and the modern versions no longer have nitrates. These new and improved fluids work similarly to the older ones, but their advancements have been designed to work better in the long run. 
 
New coolants cost a little more to begin with, but they save you money over time since the maintenance on your coolant system will be reduced, and the lack of nitrates means there will be less damage to the internal parts of your coolant system as well. The new coolants last much longer and will not break down in the weather extremes that we see here in Alberta. It’s also easier to make sure that your coolant concentrations are correct – which is good, because if it is too high then the fluid can gel when it’s cold, causing problems inside your lines, or it will not be nearly as effective when the temperature is high. To ensure the concentration is at the right levels, all new coolants introduced to your system should be tested with a refractometer by a trained technician – and never mix old and new solutions, because the benefits and the efficacy of the mixture will be reduced!
 
In case you’re still not sold on the new coolants, consider this: they have built-in corrosion protection for your engine’s coolant system and come pre-charged with additives that can help prevent a whole range of internal issues, extending the length of your coolant service intervals and keeping your engine running better for longer. For that alone, it’s worth checking out the requirements of your engine and asking if a new coolant is right for you. With winter coming up, and the wild temperature swings that are sure to come with it, there’s no better time than the present to make sure everything under your hood is getting the best of what it needs!  Here at West Tech Mobile we trust Prestone Command to bring the most advanced and comprehensive coolant solutions to your hard working trucks and equipment!
 
If your vehicle needs a coolant flush to get to its peak performance – or if it just needs a tune-up, or any other work – bring it down to West Tech Mobile to get everything done for one comprehensive price by trained, qualified technicians who know your truck inside and out. Don’t be stuck out in the cold this winter – keep up with preventative heavy truck maintenance and avoid an even bigger repair bill down the road! Give us a call at 403-265-5699, visit our shop at 22-5555 51 Ave SE in Calgary, Alberta, or use our handy contact form to drop us a line. We look forward to making sure your equipment is ready for action in the months ahead!