Antifreeze or coolant is one of the most crucial fluids in your car. As you can infer from the name, antifreeze is meant to prevent your car from freezing. The coolant also prevents your engine from overheating. Therefore, whether in extreme heat or cold, you need it to help keep your car engine functional. Read on to know what coolant or antifreeze does:
What Is Coolant/Antifreeze?
The car's coolant serves two functions in a car: to lower the freezing point and raise the boiling point of the cooling system. The fluid mixes with water in the engine to perform the heating or cooling necessary.
Therefore, when you add antifreeze to your engine, you increase the temperature at which the vehicle can operate without overheating. Coolant or antifreeze is made from an additive called Ethylene Glycol and is typically green.
Why You Need Coolant/Antifreeze
You need coolant for your vehicle to perform optimally. In the hot months, it will increase the temperature at which your engine can function and in the cold months, it will lower the freezing point of the engine's cooling system.
When you only put water in your vehicle, you increase your car's chances of freezing or overheating.
The ratio of antifreeze to water in your vehicle matters significantly. A coolant to water ratio of 60:40 is recommended by most experts. Adding more antifreeze will damage its efficiency.
Replacing Coolant /Antifreeze
The more you use the antifreeze to cool or warm your vehicle, the more the fluid deteriorates. Moreover, though coolants may have anti-corrosive properties, the parts may still corrode unless you regularly replace the fluid.
Pure green is the color of antifreeze so if it gets darker, replace it. Get a professional's help for the right ratio.
Now you know what antifreeze does. If you need a cooling system repair, give Auto Clinic Care a call today!