Keeping your car cool would seem to be the last of your worries in the dead of winter. However, engines can overheat even in very cold conditions. The other important factor is keeping you warm. Good cooling system maintenance will take care of both. The thermostat is the place to start.

The thermostat’s job is to get the engine up to temperature as fast as possible. It’s good for your engine and it’s also good for your cold feet! Replacing the thermostat is easy on most models. Replacing the thermostat requires draining the coolant and it’s a good time to think about some related maintenance. Take a look at the radiator and heater hoses. If they seem at all brittle or you can see surface cracks, they may need replacing. If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s probably time. Look at the hose connections on the radiator. On the plastic tank models these connections can become brittle and crack off. If this happens, even on the coldest day, you’re stranded. Water pump leaking? Look for a trail of dried coolant leading down from the water pump. Antifreeze is usually a bright red or green color.

If you have the coolant removed from the engine it might be a good time to replace it. In most cases the suggested change interval is two years. Remember coolant does a lot more than protect the cooling system from freezing. Antifreeze (coolant) contains anti corrosive components that deplete with age. This can cause big problems on any engine that has a lot of aluminum components (all Volvos). The correct coolant to water ratio for most brands is 50/50 - half of each. Fan belts are another good thing to look at. They have a bad habit of breaking at start up on the coldest day of the year. Look for small cracks on the surface of the belt that touches the pulleys. If you see a lot chances are it’s time for replacement.

IPD also caries a great collection of parts for your heater. From blower motors to heater cores and fan switches, chances are we have it. If the heater blower motor on your 240 is squealing, it may not last too much longer. We have complete kits that contain detailed instructions, so maybe you can do it yourself. Take care of your cooling system and it will take care of you. Your engine and your cold feet will thank you.

As 200 and 700 series approach 150K to 200K miles and more on the odometer, fan clutch failures become more common. If you don’t hear the high flow whoosh of the fan clutch engaging occasionally and are experiencing cooling problems, especially at low speeds, you should have the fan clutch checked.