When preparing vehicles for the cold, checking the cooling system is a must. Trust us – we hear about failed cooling systems as much in the winter as we do the summer.

In colder climates, most drivers are somewhat familiar with the basics of winterizing their vehicles: checking and changing wiper blades, changing over to snow tires (and checking tire pressure), testing the battery and putting a snow brush in the vehicle. But one thing many don’t always remember to do is check their cooling systems.

Cars that ran all summer on water or with minor coolant leaks are likely to leave their owners stranded when the weather turns bad. Before the weather gets nasty, take some simple steps to keep your cooling system trouble-free this winter.

1. Any vehicle that is running with just water in its cooling system needs to be switched over to a water-antifreeze mixture ASAP. Pure water will freeze, expand and damage the cooling system.
2. Check the coolant level and test coolant to see if it needs to be replaced. If it’s time for fresh coolant, use an easy-to-use flush to clean out the system. Bar’s Leaks Radiator 10 Minute Flush (p/n 1211) and Super Radiator Flush (p/n 1201) both contain no acid, so no neutralizing is needed, and they work in any vehicle with copper, aluminum or plastic radiators.
3. Check for leaks and seal them. Even the smallest engine coolant leak will expand over time, so  taking action before winter hits could save you hundreds of dollars in repair bills (not to mention car downtime). For minor leaks, seepage or just as a preventative measure, Bar’s Leaks Radiator Stop Leak Tablets (p/n HDC) are a cost-effective solution. For larger leaks, evaluate the leak’s location and severity to determine the best product. For example, Bar’s Leaks Liquid Copper (p/n 1109) is a permanent solution to large leaks in intake manifolds and gaskets, heater cores, blocks, heads and freeze plugs. Liquid Aluminum (p/n 1186) not only seals radiator and heater core leaks, it also contains Xtreme Cool™, which stops overheating and significantly decreases water temperature to prevent future leaks.

We’ve been in this business a long time – over 70 years. If you want to read a bit more about our cooling system products, see here. And if you have any questions or need help in finding a product, hit us up on social. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook, and we’re always happy to help.

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Most vehicle owners aren’t aware of the benefits of an engine flush. But in our business, a clean engine is critical when talking about installing chemical repair solutions. Dirt is the enemy. While a flush does not have to be performed with every oil change, an engine flush goes a long way to extending the life of your car. The complexity of car engines and the number of moving parts mean that any contamination or defect in lubrication can cause premature wear. Consider an engine flush during your next oil change to ‘reset’ your engine and start the counter at 0 again – it’s like a detox for your car.

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While there’s no problem simply choosing the engine oil recommended for your engine by the manufacturer, it’s a good idea to understand what you’re putting in your vehicle. Here at Bar’s leaks, we have spent nearly a century studying engine lubrication, performance and leaks. We’ve been formulating products to take care of leak-related problems for over 70 years. Get to know what engine oil is all about to ensure you’re making an informed choice when it comes time to change your oil.

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Over time, the seals and gaskets that keep your oil contained inside your car can start to leak. While a few drops of oil aren’t the end of the world, it is important to determine where your oil is leaking from and fix the problem. Most oil leaks will get worse as time goes on, and if enough oil leaks out, you can damage your engine.

Here at Bar’s Leaks, we have been perfecting our engine oil repair products for nearly a century. We can help you with fixing an oil leak without overhauling your engine and spending a lot of money. The key to successfully stopping a leak is catching the problem early, troubleshooting the oil leak and choosing the right solution.

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No matter which engine fluid you’re talking about, changing it at regular intervals is important (but all too often ignored). In the case of automatic transmission fluid, or ATF, clean fluid does a better job of lubricating moving parts and minimizing transmission internal wear. Fresh ATF also distributes heat better, extending the life of your transmission. It’s literally one of the hardest-working fluids in your vehicle.

If you’ve ever had to have your automatic transmission serviced, you know how costly it is. Transmissions are complex beasts. Modern automatic transmissions are incredibly advanced and include intricate valves and passages that route transmission fluid where it is needed. When your transmission fluid starts to break down, wear can create small particles and contamination that wear out your transmission gears.

You can greatly increase the length of transmission life by replacing your transmission fluid at the intervals suggested by your manufacturer – more if you are a heavy-duty driver who sees demanding conditions or a lot of stop-and-go commuting. For automatic transmissions, it is advisable to change your fluid every 30,000 miles — or sooner, under heavy-duty use. Manual transmission cars can run between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, depending on how you drive. As always, check your owner’s manual for specifics.

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