Is coolant the same as antifreeze? Analysis of the five major functions of antifreeze!
There are countless topics about car maintenance online.
Many car owners are also paying increasing attention to vehicle maintenance items.
However, regarding the maintenance of the cooling system,
Many car owners, however, often overlook it.
There are also friends who privately messaged the editor asking.
Is antifreeze the same as coolant?
Is it necessary to change the antifreeze in winter?
Can't we just not change it?
Today, Zero Kilometers editor is here to give everyone a unified response!
coolant
Antifreeze
The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant, which means a coolant with antifreeze function, featuring five properties: antifreeze, cooling, corrosion prevention, scale prevention, and boil prevention.
It is recommended to choose Zero Kilometer long-life coolant oil.
Low freezing point (-55°C), high boiling point (117°C)
Performance, suitable for use in all four seasons!
Excellent low-temperature fluidity and better heat dissipation performance
Extend the pump's service life by 3 times!
Exceptional thermal conductivity, anti-foaming performance
Effectively reduces scale and deposits in cooling systems!
Water-soluble cooling oil, effectively prevents emulsification
Can be diluted with water in emergency situations!
Major functional roles. Selecting high-quality coolant can effectively prevent freezing during parking in cold seasons, avoiding expansion and cracking of the radiator and freezing damage to the engine cylinder block. In hot summers, it effectively prevents engine overheating-related failures, while also providing anti-corrosion, anti-scale, and anti-deposit protection, safeguarding the cooling system year-round.
In other words, antifreeze and coolant are the same thing, just called differently.
Antifreeze
Five major functions
01 Antifreeze; Initially, engines utilized air-cooling technology for temperature reduction, which later evolved into water-cooling technology. In practical applications, water, serving as the heat transfer medium, freezes when temperatures drop below zero degrees, necessitating the development of a liquid that wouldn't freeze in winter as a substitute. Thus, antifreeze was born, with a lower freezing point that ensures the vehicle's cooling system remains unfrozen even in extremely low temperatures. Users can select the appropriate antifreeze freezing point based on the specific needs of different regions to meet usage requirements.
02 Anti-boil; The main ingredient of antifreeze, ethylene glycol, can reach a boiling point of 197.3 degrees Celsius. When mixed with water to form a solution, it fully meets usage requirements, capable of withstanding higher temperatures without boiling (overheating), to some extent satisfying the heat dissipation and cooling needs of high-load engines.
03 Cooling; Another important function of antifreeze is temperature control. Since internal combustion engines generate a significant amount of heat during operation, to prevent overheating and facilitate rapid heat dissipation, the assistance of coolant is required. Driven by the water pump's pressure, it circulates within the engine water jacket to dissipate heat and provide cooling.
04 Anti-corrosion; The cooling system is not entirely made of plastic materials. Depending on different functions, it includes various metal and rubber components. To extend the service life of the cooling system, using high-quality antifreeze is crucial, as it can effectively prevent the cooling system from chemical, electrochemical, and erosive effects, avoiding corrosion on metal surfaces and protecting the cooling system.
05 Scale Prevention; The salts in water can form scale when heated, which accumulates over time and adheres to the cooling system and pipe walls, hindering the functions of heat dissipation, cooling, and conduction. High-quality antifreeze uses deionized water along with scale inhibitors to effectively prevent the formation of scale and deposits, thereby protecting the engine.
Is it necessary to change the antifreeze in winter?
The maintenance of antifreeze is generally required every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. During this period, the antifreeze level may decrease. If the loss is excessive, the water temperature warning light will illuminate. Failure to replenish it in a timely manner can likely cause damage to the engine.
As for whether to replace the antifreeze in winter, check the freezing point. Generally, the freezing point of antifreeze should be about 10°C to 15°C lower than the minimum temperature.