When Should You Replace Your Skoda Fabia Engine Coolant?

By Author: Daniel
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The engine coolant in your new or used Skoda Fabia is an essential consumable that must be topped up periodically. Many modern cars have a very advanced combustion engine that requires an engine coolant that can handle the generated temperatures that go with it. Almost every car made now has an alloy head, and this requires considerable cooling performance. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of engine coolant for your Fabia and other cars.

What is Engine Coolant?

In the early days of motoring, engine coolant came directly from the tap. Water was used in engines, but it was quickly replaced because it cannot handle more efficient combustion methods. Also, water can easily cause corrosion inside an engine that can quickly lead to an expensive repair bill. Modern engine coolant is now found on the shelf of your favourite motor store. It still contains water, but it’s mixed with propylene glycol to lower the freezing point down to -37º and to raise the boiling point to almost 129º. This occurs inside a pressurised cooling jacket, and every manufacturer has a specific engine coolant recommendation. This ...
... information can be found in your Skoda Fabia owners manual or online if you don’t have it to hand.

Why Does Engine Coolant Need Changing?

In the past, earlier engines would be affected by corrosion because water was used inside the cylinder head. Over time, these surfaces would undergo corrosion escalation, which happens when two different metal types are in close proximity. This is known as galvanic corrosion, and it can still affect modern cars in a similar way. In fact, if you have different metal types in your engine, they can still affect each other through a rubber gasket designed to keep them separate.

Over time, the metal particulates in one part of the engine will be transferred to other parts of the engine. Differing metal types will cause galvanic corrosion to occur, and components inside the engine will be subject to damage. In some cases, this can be repaired, but the greater danger is the build up of corrosion and how it affects the engine coolant. The progress of the coolant is compromised, the cooling performance is lowered, and then serious damage can occur. This damage can be extremely expensive to repair, and many components may even require replacement. This is why it’s essential to keep the engine coolant level topped up.

When Should the Engine Coolant be Checked?

The owner’s manual will stipulate when the Fabia needs to have the engine coolant checked. This is carried out at the regularly scheduled service at your local Skoda service centre. The level will be checked and if more engine coolant is needed it will be added to the appropriate level. Any consumables are always topped up before the car is returned to owners.

When looking for a Skoda Fabia, Perth based drivers should contact Skoda Perth, and our team would be happy to arrange a no obligation test drive for you.