Skip to content
EN · km
Units
My Garage
Automotive glossary

Radiator

The radiator releases engine heat from the coolant into the air.

On this page

What is Radiator?

It sits at the front of the car, usually with aluminium core and plastic tanks. Air flows through it from driving and from the cooling fan. Some cars have several radiators: for the engine, transmission oil, intercooler and electric drive components.

How it works

Hot coolant flows through thin tubes; fins transfer heat to passing air.

Why it matters for your car

Leaks, blocked fins or internal clogging cause overheating. Mixing different coolant types or using plain water can cause corrosion and deposits inside the radiator.

Other terms