Ever wonder why radiators are so important to your car? Ever wonder how they work?

A car radiator doesn't get all of the headlines that engines do. In fact, most people don't even think twice about their car radiator. However, they are incredibly important if you want to keep your car up and running.

To understand what a car radiator does, you have to start by understanding how car engines work.

Engines have a lot of moving parts; as they move, it creates friction that, ultimately, creates a lot of heat. If that heat stays inside the engine, it will become too hot for the engine to do its job. Eventually, all of that heat can destroy an engine!

Ever wonder how a vehicle's radiator fits into the mix?

A radiator works in conjunction with water pumps, fans, and thermostats to make up your car's cooling system. A car radiator's main job is to handle all of the "heat rejection" - or, taking heat out of the engine and transferring it into the air. Heat rejection is measured by the number of British Thermal Units (BTU) that a car radiator can dissipate every hour. The higher your BTU/hour rate is, the better your radiator is at heat rejection, and the better your engine will be able to perform.

How exactly does a car radiator work?

Radiators are typically made out of aluminum, brass, or copper. They do not include any fancy electronics; instead, they simply rely on good ol' fashioned craftsmanship.

A car radiator pumps a 50-50 mix of chemicals and water called "coolant" (also called "antifreeze") into the engine. As the coolant moves through the engine, it "grabs" onto all of the heat. Then, the hot coolant heads back into the radiator and releases all of the heat into the air.

So, what keeps your radiator from getting too hot?

Car radiators are mounted right behind the grill of your car. The air that passes through the grill as you drive is enough to keep your radiator cool. That air is also enough to cool off the coolant that's just passed through the engine. That way, the coolant is cool enough to go back into the engine and still be effective.

Then what happens when your radiator stops working?

Radiators can fall victim to leaks, corrosion, and clogs. Any of these problems can keep your radiator from doing its job effectively.

If your radiator stops working, your engine can reach dangerously high temperatures in just a matter of minutes. Before you know it, smoke can start pouring out from under your hood and you are dealing with serious, expensive damage. If you do end up with damage and a subsequent radiator repair, you should visit the other pages on this site.