Key Takeaways:
1. Engine coolant is designed to protect your engine from corrosion. It's usually a mix of water and ethylene glycol, but it can also contain inhibitors that protect against rust and scale formation.
2. Antifreeze is a mixture of water & glycol. It's used to reduce the freezing point of water. If your car's radiator froze, it would expand and crack the engine block.
3. The ratio of water to antifreeze in your coolant should be 50/50, but you can find pre-mixed coolant at most auto parts stores.
4. Honda South, serving Conyers, GA, offers quality auto services, new & pre-owned cars, & OEM parts for your Honda!
Your car's radiator is vital to its function. The radiator helps to cool the internal combustion engine by circulating the fluid throughout the system. However, the fluid must be kept at the right level and temperature to work effectively. This can be challenging during extreme weather conditions when the liquid is at risk of freezing or boiling. To help you keep your car operating smoothly, we've put together a free guide to radiator fluid.
This guide will explore the difference between antifreeze and engine coolant and offer tips on choosing the right fluid type for your car. We'll also provide some essential maintenance tips to help you keep your radiator in top condition. Our guide will help you stay on the road all year round.
What Are Coolant and Antifreeze?
Radiator fluids help to keep your car from overheating and your engine from freezing!
There are two main types of radiator fluid: antifreeze and engine coolant.
Engine coolant is a water-based solution that helps to keep your engine at a consistent operating temperature by transferring heat away from critical components. It also contains corrosion inhibitors to protect against rust and other forms of degradation.
Antifreeze, on the other hand, is a glycol-based solution that helps to prevent your engine from freezing in cold weather. In addition to preventing freezing, antifreeze also raises the boiling point of the engine coolant solution, which helps to prevent overheating. It also contains corrosion inhibitors and other additives.
Why Does My Car Need Radiator Fluids?
Your car's radiator has two jobs: to keep the engine from overheating and to prevent corrosion. An overheated engine can be a serious threat, so always keeping the radiator full of coolant is important. The coolant also prevents corrosion by creating a barrier between the engine's metal parts and the oxygen in the air.
Because coolant and antifreeze serve different purposes, it's important to use the right type of radiator fluid in your vehicle.
An engine coolant is all you need if your area has moderate or warm temperatures. However, suppose you live in an area that experiences cold winters. In that case, you'll need to use an antifreeze solution in your radiator to prevent your engine from freezing.
What Are the Different Types of Coolant?
Most people are familiar with IAT coolant, but OAT coolant is becoming more popular. Here's a quick rundown of the differences between the two.
IAT coolant is made from ethylene glycol and must be replaced every two years. It's a cheaper option, but it's not as effective at preventing corrosion.
On the other hand, OAT coolant is made from propylene glycol and can last up to five years. It's also more effective at preventing corrosion, making it a better choice for long-term use.
So, if you're looking for a coolant that will last, OAT is the way to go.
The Right Ratio of Antifreeze and Water
Most people know that their car needs some coolant to prevent it from overheating, but did you know that a specific ratio of antifreeze and water is best for your vehicle? That's right - the wrong ratio can end up causing your car to overheat! So, what's the right ratio? Well, it depends on factors like the climate you live in and the type of antifreeze you're using.
A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is a good place to start. If your area is cold, you might want to use a higher percentage of antifreeze to prevent your engine from freezing. No matter what, use the right ratio of antifreeze and water - your car will thank you for it!
What Happens When Your Engine Overheats?
The engine in your car is designed to operate at a high temperature, but if it goes over the limit, it can cause serious damage. That's where the coolant comes in. The coolant is like the blood in your car's circulatory system, flowing through the engine to remove excess heat. The coolant is stored in a reservoir, and when it gets low, you add more.
How Does the Coolant Work to Keep the Temperature Stable?
The coolant is pumped through the engine grooves, absorbing heat, and then flows back to the radiator hoses, where it is cooled off by the air passing through the radiator fins. This process happens repeatedly, and as long as enough coolant is in the system, your engine will stay at a stable temperature. So next time you're overheated on a hot day, give your car's cooling system a little credit - it's working hard to keep things under control!
What's A Coolant Flush, and Should I Get One?
Let's start with the latter question first. How often you should get a coolant flush service depends on a few factors, such as your vehicle's make and how you drive it. However, in general, it's recommended that you get the service every 30,000 miles or so.
As for what a coolant flush is, it's simply a process of draining the old coolant from your car's system and replacing it with fresh coolant. This is important because, over time, the coolant becomes contaminated with rust, scale, and other deposits that can clog up your car's cooling system and cause engine overheating. A flush will remove all of these deposits, leaving your system clean and running efficiently.
So, take your car to a service center if you're due for a coolant flush!
Conclusion
Whether you call it antifreeze or engine coolant, the fluid in your radiator is vital to the health of your engine. If you're unsure which fluid to use, consult your owner's manual or ask a professional mechanic.
Honda South, serving Conyers, GA, has the best car service center in Georgia. We have a team of expert mechanics who are always there to assist you with all your problems – from engine overheating issues to coolant flush services and much more!
