8 articles
Replace your cabin air filter every 12,000-15,000 miles or yearly. Filters cost $10-40 and are usually behind the glovebox. Compare activated carbon vs particulate.
Low refrigerant (R-134a or R-1234yf), compressor failure, and blend door issues cause warm AC. Recharge costs $150-300 at shops or $30-50 for DIY kits.
IAT (green, 2yr), OAT (orange/red, 5yr), HOAT (yellow/turquoise, 5yr), and PHOAT (pink/blue) coolants are chemically incompatible. Learn which your car needs.
Learn to drain old coolant, flush with distilled water, and refill with the correct 50/50 mix. Step-by-step procedure with tools needed and system capacities.
Learn radiator maintenance: fin cleaning, hose inspection, and pressure testing. Radiator replacement costs $300-900. Compare aluminum vs plastic tank designs.
Inspect serpentine belts for cracks, glazing, and rib separation every 60,000-100,000 miles. Replacement costs $75-200 at shops, or $25-50 DIY with Gates or Continental belts.
Engine overheating, no cabin heat, and fluctuating temperature gauge signal a stuck thermostat. Replacement costs $150-350 at most shops. Learn the signs.
Coolant leaking from the weep hole, grinding noises, and overheating signal water pump failure. Replacement costs $400-800 typically, or $600-1,200 when timing-belt-driven.