Why do you need antifreeze 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 is anti freeze so important for your vehicle?

Anti-freeze, otherwise known as engine coolant, is a coloured liquid that is mixed with water to help regulate your engine during extremely cold temperatures. As the temperature outside changes from hot to cold, coolant is pumped throughout your engine block to maintain an even temperature.

What does antifreeze do in an engine coolant?

Antifreeze, or engine coolant, is a colored liquid that is mixed with water to help regulate your engine during extreme temperatures.

Which is better for your car, water or antifreeze?

While water is the best fluid for cooling, it can cause corrosion. Antifreeze has a lower freezing point and a higher boiling point than water so it helps protect your engine in extreme weather conditions that normally happen in seasonal temperatures.

What does antifreeze do to the freezing point of water?

Antifreeze. An antifreeze is an additive which lowers the freezing point of a water-based liquid and increases its boiling point. An antifreeze mixture is used to achieve freezing-point depression for cold environments and also achieves boiling-point elevation (“anti-boil”) to allow higher coolant temperature.

What, exactly, does antifreeze do in a car?

Antifreeze is a liquid that’s added to a car’s engine cooling system. It stops the water from freezing under normal cold weather conditions. As well as lowering the freezing point, it also raises the boiling point of engine coolant. Along with a pressurised system, this helps to reduce the risk of overheating.

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.

Should you put antifreeze or water in your car?

Most modern motors use water to keep the engine from overheating. While plain water works in a pinch, a mixture of water and engine coolant, or anti-freeze, is much safer for your car. Like replacing windshield wiper fluid, adding engine oil, and inflating your tires, adding anti-freeze is a simple maintenance project that most drivers are able to complete with ease.

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.