Key Takeaways:
– Coolant and antifreeze are two terms for the same thing.
– Coolant is a mixture of water, antifreeze, and chemicals that helps keep your engine cool.
– Antifreeze contains glycol, which lowers the freezing point of water.
– IAT antifreeze is the most common antifreeze made from inorganic chemicals.
– OAT antifreeze is a newer type of antifreeze that uses organic chemicals.
– Check your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic which type of coolant is best for your car.
– Check your coolant level regularly and top it off if necessary.
The terms coolant and antifreeze are often used interchangeably. Coolant is a mixture of distilled water & glycol that helps keep your engine from overheating by transferring heat away from the engine. Antifreeze is an ethylene glycol-based liquid that helps protect your engine from freezing in cold weather. They perform the same operation but vary in how they are made and where a combination of the two is most effective. Let’s explore what you should know about them.
How Does the Coolant Work?
The coolant keeps your engine at a consistent temperature. It does this by absorbing the engine’s heat and then dissipating it into the air. The coolant is usually circulated in separate pipes through the engine by the water pump. As it moves, it picks up heat from the engine and then carries it to the radiator.
The radiator is a large metal container with a series of small tubes running through it. The coolant flows through these tubes, and as it does, the heat is dissipated into the air passing over the radiator. Once the coolant has cooled down, it is circulated back through the engine to absorb more heat.
How is the Engine Coolant Made?
The coolant contains many chemicals that help it do its job more effectively. The most important of these is the antifreeze. Antifreeze lowers the coolant’s freezing point, which means it can absorb more heat before it freezes. It also raises the coolant’s boiling point, dissipating heat more effectively. The coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze, and the ratio of these two ingredients can differ depending on the climate. In colder climates, a higher percentage of antifreeze is used to prevent the coolant from freezing.
Benefits of Antifreeze
There are several benefits that antifreeze provides. Firstly, as mentioned above, it lowers the freezing point of the coolant. It means that the engine can operate in colder temperatures without the risk of the coolant freezing and damaging the engine. It raises the coolant’s boiling point, dissipating heat more effectively and preventing the engine from overheating.
Another benefit of antifreeze is that it inhibits corrosion. The coolant circulates through the engine and helps keep it clean and free of rust. Antifreeze contains chemicals that protect the engine from corrosion, which can significantly extend the engine’s life.
Drawbacks of Antifreeze
The main drawback of antifreeze is that it is poisonous. If you drink coolant, it can cause serious health problems. That’s why keeping coolant out of reach of children and pets is important. Be careful not to spill coolant on yourself or the ground because it can harm the environment.
Choosing the Right Coolant
The coolant you use in your car depends on your area’s climate. If you live in a cold climate, you’ll need antifreeze in addition to the aqueous coolant because it comes with a higher percentage of alcohol to prevent freezing. And we all know that alcohols do not freeze below the typical freezing point of pure water – so the antifreeze, acting as a necessary impurity, keeps the mixture liquid.
In hotter climates, you’ll only need a coolant with a higher percentage of water in it to prevent overheating. You can also buy all-season coolants that work well in hot and cold climates, but as we’re talking, Michigan is headed towards the fall, meaning your car will be better off with a coolant & antifreeze. Refer to your owner’s manual to see what coolant is ideal for your car.
How to Check Your Coolant Level?
Check your coolant level regularly to ensure it doesn’t get too low. If the level is too low, the engine will not be properly cooled and could overheat. If the level is too high, the coolant will not be able to circulate properly and could cause the engine to overheat. You should check the coolant level in your car at least once a month. To check the level, open the hood of your car and locate the coolant reservoir. The reservoir is usually made of clear plastic and has a fill line that shows the maximum level the coolant should reach. If it’s below the fill line, add more coolant until it reaches the line.
How to Flush and Fill Your Coolant?
It’s important to flush and fill your coolant every few years to eliminate any rust, sediment, or other waste that may have built up in the system. To do this, you’ll need to drain all the old coolant from the system and add new coolant. If you can’t do it yourself, take your car to a mechanic, and they’ll do it for you. You must flush the coolant every two years or 30,000 miles to prevent the engine from rusting.
What is Radiator Fluid?
Radiator fluid is a blend of water and antifreeze that helps keep your engine cool. Radiator fluid is another name for coolant. The water helps keep the temperature down, and the coolant prevents the water from freezing. You should check your radiator fluid level regularly to ensure it’s full. If it’s low, you can add more.
Check out our blog to discover 4 signs that indicate your radiator is failing.
What are IAT and OAT Antifreeze?
IAT and OAT are two types of antifreeze. IAT, or Inorganic Additive Technology, is the traditional type of antifreeze that’s been around for many years. It uses silicates to protect your engine from corrosion. OAT, or Organic Acid Technology, is a newer type of antifreeze that uses organic acids to protect your engine from corrosion.
OAT antifreeze is more expensive than IAT antifreeze, but it lasts longer. OAT antifreeze can last up to five years, while IAT antifreeze needs to be replaced every two years.
Feldman CDJR of Clarkston, serving Troy, MI, is ideal for car services because we offer top-notch car care services designed to meet the needs of our customers. We have certified technicians who can provide quality services at an affordable price. We offer numerous services, including oil changes, tune-ups, and brake repairs. So, if you seek a trustworthy place to take your car for service, look no further than Feldman CDJR of Clarkston!
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