About Water's Use in Cars

Water's use in cars is nearly as important as the gasoline and oil that you put in them. Cars will not go without keeping them full of gasoline. Neither will they go very far without an adequate supply of water. The use of water in your car is to serve several purposes. Not only is it necessary for the engine to function correctly, the water also supplies comfort to those riding in the car.

Function

The waters main function is to keep the engine cool while it is running. The moving parts inside the engine create friction and heat. The water circulates from the radiator and is pumped into the engine by a water pump. The hot water circulates back out of the engine block, to the radiator and is cooled by a fan that sits between the radiator and engine. A thermostat in the engine block opens and shuts when the water is at proper temperature.

Comfort

When the car's heater is activated, the hot water from the engine also flows through hoses to the heater coils. This allows the heater to blow warm air into the car's interior. If the car's radiator is low on water, there will not be enough to circulate properly, and the heater may not work.

Warning

The use of pure water in a car's radiator may result in the water freezing in cold weather. This could cause severe damage to the car engine in several ways. If the water freezes while the car is driven, the engine will become hot due to lack of water circulation. In severe overheating, parts of the engine can seize. This will result in costly repairs or possibly replacement of the engine.

Additives

A proper mixture of antifreeze and water need to be added to the car radiator for it to operate at the proper temperature. The water and antifreeze mixture needs to be maintained at the proper level for the car to operate properly and for the heater to function. Antifreeze can be purchased premixed or you can mix it yourself. Always handle the antifreeze carefully and dispose of the containers responsibly.

A car repair center has gauges that read the amount of antifreeze that the water contains. Different ratios of water to antifreeze are necessary to achieve protection at different temperature degrees. Have the car checked by a professional if at all in doubt about the proper mixtures.

Safety

The water the car uses in its system is pressurized by a radiator cap. These caps should only be removed when the car engine is cool. Removing the pressurized cap while the engine is hot could result in severe injuries. One should never add more water to the engine while it is hot. Let the car cool down, then carefully remove the radiator cap.

The water the car uses flows through several different hoses. Check the hoses regularly for wear. For emergency purposes, it is advisable to carry a gallon jug of water and antifreeze mixture in the car's trunk.