Can Car Antifreeze Be Added Directly?
3 Answers
Car antifreeze can be added directly, but the following precautions should be noted: 1. Before adding new antifreeze, the old antifreeze should be drained and the system cleaned thoroughly. Then, new antifreeze can be added. Expired antifreeze can easily cause the car to freeze and sustain damage. 2. As winter approaches, it is important to check whether the car has enough antifreeze. Generally, car antifreeze has a service life of 2 years. For new cars that have been in use for more than 2 years, antifreeze should be replenished in time. Also, check the antifreeze system for any leaks. It is best to use the same brand of antifreeze, as mixing different brands can affect performance. 3. When a car has traveled 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers within 2 years, it is necessary to add antifreeze. When replacing antifreeze, be sure to drain the old antifreeze from the cooling system and clean it thoroughly before adding new antifreeze. Antifreeze should not be mixed with water.
As a car enthusiast, I believe coolant maintenance requires careful attention. When performing routine car maintenance, I always check if the engine has cooled down first, waiting at least half an hour after turning off the engine before opening the cap to inspect the expansion tank level. If it's the same color and brand of coolant, topping it up directly is fine, but you must never mix different colors - for example, you can't pour green coolant into red, as the chemical components will react and form sediment that can clog the radiator. If I can't find the same type of coolant when traveling, I'd rather add distilled water as an emergency measure than use a different coolant randomly. Regularly checking the coolant's color and turbidity is also crucial - if it becomes cloudy, it's time for a complete replacement, as this fluid protects the entire cooling system.
Last time my friend's car broke down was due to improper handling of coolant. When topping up coolant, first locate the correct reservoir - usually a transparent expansion tank with level marks in the engine bay, and fill between MAX and MIN lines. But never open the cap when the engine is hot, as high-pressure steam can spray out and cause burns - I got slightly scalded once when rushing the job. Nowadays there are many types of coolant on the market - never mix organic acid formulas with traditional formulas as this can corrode hose connection seals. Extra caution is needed for cars over 5-6 years old as aging cooling systems become more fragile. I recommend keeping a small bottle of matching coolant in the trunk - especially useful for long trips.
