Automotive Q & A

Answer: When your engine is running, it produces tremendous amounts of heat. Your cooling system is responsible for keeping this heat in check and preventing your engine from overheating. One of the most important parts of your cooling system is your radiator. Radiators store and cool your engine coolant. Your radiator is controlled by a special thermostat which constantly watches your engine’s temperature. When the engine gets too hot, the thermostat releases engine coolant, or antifreeze, from your radiator into your engine. The antifreeze travels through the engine’s pipes and passageways to absorb heat and cool the engine. Then, the antifreeze returns to the radiator to be cooled. Once the antifreeze is cooled, it is ready to be re-released into the engine to keep your engine cool and running smoothly. It is the radiator hoses that are in charge of transporting engine coolant to and from the radiator and to and from the engine. Your engine has two radiator hoses: an inlet hose, which takes the hot engine coolant from the engine and transports it to the radiator, and an outlet hose, which transports the engine coolant from the radiator to the engine. These radiator hoses are made of thick, durable rubber in order to withstand the hot engine coolant passing through them.