Can Antifreeze Still Be Used After 6 Years?
1 Answers
Antifreeze cannot be used after 6 years. Antifreeze has a shelf life, generally two years. Continued use may cause damage to the vehicle. Antifreeze Replacement Cycle: For vehicles that run for long periods, such as taxis, high-quality antifreeze should generally be replaced once a year. For vehicles with shorter running times, it can be replaced every two years or every 30,000 kilometers. To prevent excessive foam formation, which reduces the heat exchange efficiency between the antifreeze and engine components, ensure the product is within its validity period when adding it. Long-life antifreeze can have a validity period of up to three years. If suspended matter, sediment, or discoloration is found in the antifreeze, it should be replaced promptly, and the system should be cleaned. How to Replace Antifreeze: Before completely replacing the antifreeze, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any leaks or cracks in the pipes, with a focus on the five-way hose. The five-way hose is named for its five connections to various parts of the vehicle, and the antifreeze is distributed to different parts of the car after flowing through it. If there are signs of antifreeze leakage in this part, the hose should be replaced or the connections re-secured as needed. Drain the old antifreeze, then flush the liquid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir and continue to inject water until it flows continuously through the engine cooling system. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. Initially, the water draining from the reservoir will be slightly pinkish. Continue adding clean water until the outflow is clear. Note: Remember to remove the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core. After about an hour of draining, add the new antifreeze through the radiator hose to allow it to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another container of antifreeze to the antifreeze reservoir until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. As some air is expelled from the cooling system, the fluid level will drop. Add more antifreeze until it reaches the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
