Coolant and antifreeze are essential fluids to keep your car working at its best. Even though they are often disregarded, they need regular maintenance and checking, much like oil.
Here are the topics we will discuss:
- What are antifreeze and coolant?
- What do they do?
- How often should antifreeze and coolant be checked and changed?
- How are coolant and antifreeze topped off?
- How can you decide the kind of coolant your vehicle uses?
Antifreeze Vs. Coolant
Both engine coolant and antifreeze serve the same purpose in your car. Ethylene glycol serves as the main component in both. The engine coolant system circulates these fluids to keep the engine block at a consistent operating temperature. Dilution is the primary distinction between the two.
As the name implies, antifreeze prevents the water in the engine coolant system from freezing in severely cold weather. Your engine may get damaged if water freezes in the pump or another system component.
Coolant increases its boiling point to prevent the water in the system from boiling off and evaporating.
The need to mix antifreeze with water before putting it in the coolant reservoir is the primary difference between antifreeze and coolant. Usually, you have to combine equal parts water and antifreeze. The coolant in a jug is blended and does not need diluting. To know precisely what to do, always read the label.
Why Do You Need Coolant or Antifreeze?
Your engine requires some insulation from the significant increases and dips in temperature as external temperatures change with the seasons.
In the winter, antifreeze prevents the water running around your engine block from freezing, ensuring smooth operation. The coolant protects the water from boiling off and keeps the engine’s temperature steady throughout the summer when overheating is more common.
Checking the Level of Your Antifreeze or Coolant
Before the summer and winter, you should check the amount of your engine coolant and antifreeze. You should ensure that these fluids are functioning at their best before the warmest and coldest seasons since they aid in keeping your engine at the proper operating temperature throughout large temperature swings.
Additionally, if the dashboard light turns on, check your coolant.
You may fill up your coolant or antifreeze most of the time. Depending on the fluid your car requires, you should drain and replace it every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
How to check the level of coolant
Find the coolant reservoir first. Under the hood, next to the front, there will be a transparent tank. When the engine is hot, never lift the lid! Because the water pump system is pressured, it may spray hot fluids.
Two indication lines may be seen on the tank, one near the top and one towards the bottom. You must add extra if the fluid level is below the bottom line. Check the jug’s instructions to determine whether to mix it with water.
How To Change Your Engine Coolant:
- Allow the engine and radiator to cool for safety’s sake.
- Set the heat control to the highest setting. By doing so, the radiator core is made accessible, enabling all the coolant to flow out.
- Put a catch pan beneath the radiator under the vehicle, take off the radiator cap, and unplug the drain.
- Allow the coolant to drain completely.
- Remove the engine drain bolt and slide the catch pan below the engine. Any fluid in the heater core or engine block might leak out during this procedure.
- Replace the washer and high-temp thread sealant on the engine drain bolt. For the proper tightening pressure, see your owner’s handbook.
- Replace the drain plug on the radiator.
- Drain the coolant reservoir, remove it and reinstall it where it belongs.
- Do not fill the reservoir over the maximum fill line with fresh antifreeze.
Antifreeze and coolant types
You may choose from various colors when buying fresh antifreeze or coolant. The fluid’s color does not indicate the fluid’s function or intended use.
There are three kinds of antifreeze.
- Additive Inorganic Technology (IAT)
- Organic Acid Technology (OAT)
- Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)
IAT coolant is often used in older models of cars. Compared to more contemporary technologies, it is much less efficient and has to be replaced around every 24,000 miles. OAT and HOAT formulations, unless otherwise noted on the bottle, need replacement after 50,000 miles.
For certain models, dealerships offer coolant. It is available there, although the price will probably be more than at your neighborhood auto parts shop. Coolant aftermarket choices often include the types of vehicles they are compatible with.
To ensure you are using the right coolant, read the label on the coolant and consult your owner’s handbook. To be consistent the next time you do maintenance, make a note in your owner’s handbook of the brand you bought.
Coolant Colors
You can not determine precisely what sort of coolant you have from the coolant’s hue. However, there are some similarities. Green IAT coolant is used. Green antifreeze is certainly something you are acquainted with if you have an older model. OAT coolants are often orange, red, yellow, or purple. The majority of HOAT coolants are orange or yellow.
In conclusion
What makes coolant different from antifreeze? They both serve the same purpose for your engine and are essentially the same thing. Mixing it with water before transferring it to the coolant reservoir beneath your hood is the biggest difference between the two.
Your engine maintains a constant temperature when operating on antifreeze or coolant. It ensures that the water will not freeze in the winter or boil out in the summer.
You can maintain your coolant level yourself without the assistance of a professional or dealership. You may avoid potentially costly damage by keeping your engine’s coolant topped up.
