What does antifreeze do in your car?

Antifreeze is an essential engine coolant that helps regulate temperatures in your car. In hot weather, antifreeze keeps the water in your engine and radiator from boiling over. As temperatures fall, antifreeze prevents this same water from freezing, even in temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero.

Why do you need coolant and antifreeze in your car?

As the name suggests, coolant/antifreeze is necessary to reduce the freezing point of your engine’s cooling system and raise the temperature at which the system will boil when compared to water alone.

What’s the difference between antifreeze and coolant in Australia?

And by calling it coolant here, you sidestep the ‘who needs antifreeze in Australia’ argument. What is coolant/antifreeze? Basically, coolant or antifreeze, which mixes with water in an engine’s cooling system is designed to both lower the freezing point and raise the boiling point of the system.

What’s the best way to put anti freeze in a car?

Drain the old antifreeze into an oil pan, disposable pail, or bucket that you use only for this purpose. Replace the drain cock by turning it in a clockwise fashion. Move back to the top of the vehicle and again locate the radiator. Remove the radiator cap by turning it in a counterclockwise fashion.

Why is antifreeze and water the same color?

Water and antifreeze are both colorless. Manufacturers started adding colored dye to the mixture in order to differentiate between the coolant and other engine fluids. If your car was leaking a blue fluid, it meant one thing. If it was leaking a pink fluid, it meant another.

What if too much antifreeze in the car?

Too much antifreeze can hinder your car’s ability to cool the engine when in use. Use an antifreeze tester to ensure that you have the correct antifreeze-to-water ratio to protect your cooling system from freezing when not in use. If it’s been more than 24,000 miles since your last flush and fill it is likely time for another.

What is the best antifreeze for a car?

Dex-Cool is the antifreeze recommended by General Motors, the company that makes Chevys , as the best antifreeze for their automobiles. It is an orange color, to truly differentiate it, and is an extended-life coolant, known to work up to 100,000 miles.

What kind of antifreeze do you use in a car?

Cars made after 1998 normally need antifreeze that uses silicate-free, organic acid technology (OAT). These types of antifreeze offer better corrosion protection so that parts don’t need to be changed as often. Cars made before 1998 usually need antifreeze that isn’t OAT-based and that does contain silicate.

Can a car run without antifreeze?

Without extensive testing, you don’t have any way of knowing exactly when damage will occur. You certainly have more time on a cold day, but 30 degree or 90 degree day, the car is going to run up to 300+ before long without antifreeze.