Engines, which ensure the operation of automobiles and all similar vehicles, heat up as they perform a certain performance. There is a cooling system in order to maintain the healthy operation of the heated engine. However, this system may freeze in very cold weather or lose its cooling function by heating in very hot weather. To prevent all these situations, a liquid called antifreeze is used to protect the cooling system.
Even though antifreeze is generally known as coolant, it actually prevents too much heating. From this point of view, we can say that antifreeze is a cooling system protector. It is possible to say that it is of vital importance for vehicles because an engine that is not sufficiently cooled may eventually become inoperable. Let’s examine in all details the questions such as what is antifreeze, what are its types, where to put it, how to add it.
First, what is antifreeze?
In automobiles and similar motor vehicles, it is called liquid antifreeze, which prevents the water in the cooling system of the engine, which heats up as the vehicle runs, from freezing or getting too hot. Although antifreeze is generally thought to save the coolant from freezing, another task is to prevent boiling. In other words, it would be much more accurate to say that antifreeze is a liquid that protects the engine cooling system.
What does antifreeze do?
Every vehicle has a cooling system that will prevent the engine from overheating as a result of operation. The liquid in this cooling system may freeze in very cold weather or become too hot in very hot weather and lose its cooling function. This is where the antifreeze comes into play and prevents the water molecules from freezing or reaching the boiling point.
Antifreeze has the task of protecting the cooling system of the vehicle engine. It not only ensures the heat balance of the cooling water, but also prevents calcification and corrosion of the entire cooling system. When antifreeze is not used, irreversible damage can occur to the water pump, cylinder, piston, crank and many other engine parts.
What are the types of antifreeze?
- Organic antifreeze
- Hybrid organic antifreeze
- Nitrided organic antifreeze
- Inorganic antifreeze
Organic antifreeze:
Organic antifreeze, known by the abbreviation OAT, contains organic acid components. Organic antifreeze is considered to be durable for 200 thousand km and 5 years. It does not provide adequate protection against limescale and rust in engines containing iron and aluminum materials.
Hybrid organic antifreeze:
Hybrid organic antifreeze, known by the abbreviation HOAT, contains a mixture of inorganic and organic antifreeze components. Hybrid organic antifreeze, which is much more effective than inorganic and organic antifreezes, is sold in pink, red and orange colors. It provides protection for about 6 years and is successful in corrosion protection.
Nitrided organic antifreeze:
Nitrided organic antifreeze, known by the abbreviation NOAT, has the strongest protection and longest durability of any antifreeze type. Nitrided organic antifreeze, which is accepted to provide protection up to 1 million kilometers, is generally used in heavy-duty machines and its price is quite high.
Inorganic antifreeze:
Inorganic antifreeze, known by the abbreviation IAT, provides much stronger protection in engines containing iron and aluminum materials, but unlike organic antifreeze, it is not very successful in corrosion protection. Inorganic antifreeze is considered to be durable for 55 thousand km and 2 years.
Where to put antifreeze?
The antifreeze liquid is placed in the grill-like radiator compartment that you come across after you open the hood of the vehicle. Whatever type of antifreeze fluid you use, make sure that the fluid in the radiator section has been completely drained beforehand and then close the cap tightly.
How to add antifreeze to the car?
- Step #1: Make sure the engine is completely cool.
- Step #2: Open the hood of the car.
- Step #3: Locate the radiator section.
- Step #4: Open the cover located at the bottom of the radiator and drain all the water inside.
- Step #5: Close the bottom cover.
- Step #6: Open the top cover and pour the antifreeze fluid.
- Step #7: You can add some distilled water on top.
- Step #8: Start the engine and check the water level.
- Step #9: If there are no problems, close the radiator cap.
Just follow the steps above to add antifreeze to the car. Before applying this process, you should make sure that the engine has completely cooled down and that all the water in the radiator has been drained. After starting the engine, you can continue to add distilled water by checking the water level.
Adding antifreeze to a car may seem like a simple process, but problems can arise if the right steps are not followed. For this reason, if you are going to perform this process for the first time, you can get help from someone who is familiar with your vehicle’s engine system, or you can get support by going to the technical service of your vehicle brand.
How to choose the appropriate antifreeze for your vehicle?
Because there are so many different antifreeze fluid options, many drivers may not be sure which one to choose, especially if they are putting antifreeze in their car for the first time. At this point, your biggest assistant is your vehicle’s owner’s manual. By knowing the materials that make up your engine, you can choose an appropriate antifreeze type. The technical service of your vehicle brand will also help in this regard.
What are the benefits of using antifreeze?
The main benefit of using antifreeze is continuing to drive your vehicle. Yes, it would not be wrong to say that your vehicle will not start when there is no antifreeze. In normal weather, of course, it is not always a problem, but if you do not use antifreeze in the weather when the water sees the freezing point or boiling point, the cooling system of your vehicle cannot fulfill its task and your engine cannot continue to run.
You will see the greatest benefit of using antifreeze in long-term use. Because the engine cooling system interacts with the liquid, it will inevitably rust and calcify over time. Antifreeze liquid, on the other hand, protects the cooling system from both rusting and calcification. Therefore, be sure to use antifreeze and renew it at the right time.
How is the antifreeze water ratio determined?
- Add 100 percent antifreeze for protection at -40 degrees.
- For protection at -35 degrees, add 90 percent antifreeze and 10 percent water.
- For protection at -27 degrees, add 80 percent antifreeze and 20 percent water.
- For protection at -22 degrees, add 70 percent antifreeze and 30 percent water.
- For protection at -18 degrees, add 60 percent antifreeze and 40 percent water.
- Add 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water for protection at -13 degrees.
- Add 40 percent antifreeze and 60 percent water for protection at -9 degrees.
- Add 35 percent antifreeze, 65 percent water for protection at -6 degrees.
- Add 20 percent antifreeze and 80 percent water for protection at -4 degrees.
- For protection at -2 degrees, add 10 percent antifreeze, 90 percent water.
We talked about the details you need to know about the subject by answering questions such as what is the antifreeze that protects your car’s engine cooling system from very cold and very hot weather, what are its types, where to put it, how to add it. You can learn the most appropriate type of antifreeze for your vehicle from the technical service of the brand.
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