Việt Nam
Deutsch
Italiano
日本語
Türkçe
русский 
한국어
عربي 
Français
Português
Español
The terms radiator fan and cooling fan are often used interchangeably, but they can refer to slightly different components depending on the context.
Here's a breakdown of the differences
Radiator Fan
Function: The radiator fan's primary job is to pull or push air through the radiator to help cool the engine coolant. It activates when the engine reaches a certain temperature or when the vehicle is stationary or moving at low speeds, where there's less natural airflow.
Location: Positioned near the radiator, either in front (as a pusher fan) or behind (as a puller fan).
Purpose: The radiator fan assists in cooling the engine by lowering the temperature of the coolant as it passes through the radiator.
Type: It can be either mechanical (driven by the engine) or electric (controlled electronically based on temperature or other factors).
Cooling Fan
Function: A cooling fan is a broader term that refers to any fan responsible for cooling different parts of the vehicle. While it includes the radiator fan, it can also refer to fans that cool other components, such as the AC condenser or even the engine compartment itself.
Location: Cooling fans can be located in various areas, including the radiator, the condenser, or other engine components.
Purpose: The cooling fan's purpose depends on its location. It could be for cooling the engine coolant (radiator fan), the refrigerant in the AC condenser, or even providing airflow to prevent general engine overheating.
Type: Like the radiator fan, cooling fans can be either electric or mechanical, depending on the design.
Key Differences
Specificity: The radiator fan is a type of cooling fan specifically meant to cool the radiator and, by extension, the engine coolant. The term cooling fan can refer to multiple fans (including the radiator fan) involved in cooling various parts of the vehicle.
Cooling Targets: The radiator fan is designed primarily for cooling the engine via the radiator, while a cooling fan could also be responsible for the AC condenser or other components.
Summary
Radiator Fan: Specifically cools the radiator and engine coolant to maintain engine temperature.
Cooling Fan: A general term that can include the radiator fan but may also refer to fans that cool the AC condenser or engine compartment.
Both are essential for maintaining the overall cooling system of the vehicle, but the radiator fan has a more focused role in engine cooling, while the cooling fan could refer to any fan serving a cooling function in the car.