Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Engine Cooling System
- When engine is cold: Thermostat (6) is closed, cooling system has no flow through the radiator (7). The coolant flows through the engine, heater core (3), coolant recovery reservoir (1) and an internal engine by-pass.
- When engine (2) is warm: Thermostat (6) is open, coolant flows through the radiator (7), heater core (3), coolant recovery reservoir (1) and by-pass.
The cooling systems primary purpose is to maintain engine temperature in a range that will provide satisfactory engine performance and emission levels under all expected driving conditions. It also provides hot coolant for heater, and cooling for automatic transmission fluid. It does this by transferring heat from engine metal to coolant, moving this heated coolant to the radiator, and then transferring this heat to the ambient air.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.