How often should a car radiator be cleaned?

[LeAnderson]

It is recommended to clean the car radiator every six months. The car radiator is part of the vehicle's cooling system. The radiator in the engine's water cooling system consists of three parts: the inlet chamber, outlet chamber, main plate, and radiator core. The coolant flows inside the radiator core, while air passes outside it. The hot coolant cools down by dissipating heat to the air, and the cold air heats up by absorbing the heat from the coolant, making the radiator a heat exchanger. Over time, the hoses of the engine radiator can age and become prone to cracking, allowing water to easily enter the radiator. If a hose bursts while driving, the high-temperature water spray can form large clouds of steam escaping from under the hood. When this happens, immediately choose a safe location to stop the vehicle and take emergency measures to address the issue. Generally, when water enters the radiator, the hose connections are prone to developing cracks and leaking. In such cases, you can use scissors to cut off the damaged section, reinsert the hose into the radiator inlet connection, and secure it tightly with a clamp or wire.

[LeCaroline]

Cleaning the car radiator is something I find quite important after driving for over 20 years. Generally speaking, the cooling system should be cleaned every two years or every 50,000 kilometers. My car didn't get cleaned on schedule before, and scale built up in the radiator, causing the engine to overheat easily. It almost ruined the engine, and spending thousands on repairs just wasn't worth it. Now I always remember the maintenance manual—when cleaning, first drain the old coolant, flush the radiator pipes, then add new antifreeze. This helps prevent rust and scale buildup. In hotter climates, you need to check more frequently since a dirty radiator affects heat dissipation, and sudden rises in water temperature while driving can be dangerous. In short, making it a habit to clean regularly can extend your car's lifespan while saving you money and hassle.

[LeJulia]

The frequency of radiator cleaning depends on the vehicle's usage. I believe every 2-3 years or every 40,000 kilometers is a safe interval. If not cleaned, the coolant can become dirty and corrode the pipes, leading to leaks or engine overheating issues. For vehicles that frequently drive on highways, impurities tend to accumulate in the radiator. Cleaning should include a thorough flush of the entire cooling system, and replacing the coolant if necessary. This helps maintain efficient engine operation and lower fuel consumption. My experience suggests checking it once before summer, in line with maintenance records, to avoid breakdowns on the road.

[DiSarah]

When I first started driving, I didn't know about radiator maintenance. A friend told me to do it every two years, so now I follow that routine. The process includes replacing the coolant and flushing the radiator to prevent clogs that could affect engine cooling. Simply put, it's based on time rather than mileage. If the car isn't driven often, you can delay it a bit, but it's best not to wait more than three years. I've found that keeping up with this maintenance makes the car run smoother.