Do Cars Need Water?
2 Answers
Cars do not need water, but they do require antifreeze. Here is some relevant information: 1. The engines used in cars are water-cooled engines, which rely on antifreeze circulating continuously within the engine to dissipate heat. Without antifreeze, the engine would overheat, which could affect its normal operation. 2. Antifreeze follows two circulation paths within the engine: a major cycle and a minor cycle. When the engine is first started, the antifreeze circulates in the minor cycle, bypassing the radiator, which helps the engine warm up quickly. Once the engine reaches its normal operating temperature, the antifreeze switches to the major cycle, passing through the radiator to dissipate heat and maintain the engine within the optimal temperature range. The thermostat is responsible for switching between the major and minor cycles.
I've driven quite a few cars and realized many people misunderstand whether cars need water or not. Actually, it's not about adding water, but paying attention to the coolant, also known as antifreeze. It's like the cooling blood of the engine, preventing freezing in winter and cooling in summer. When you open the hood and see that small reservoir, the liquid inside looks like water, but it's actually a mixture—you can't just add tap water directly. Doing so can cause rust, clog pipes, and even ruin the engine. Some older car batteries still require distilled water, but modern batteries are mostly sealed and maintenance-free. The place where you usually add water is the windshield washer fluid reservoir—you can mix tap water with concentrated cleaner and add it to the washer tank. If you drive with low fluid levels, the engine can overheat and potentially seize, leading to repair costs in the thousands. Remember to regularly check fluid levels, avoid mixing different types, and buy genuine antifreeze for timely replacement—it's safer and more worry-free. This habit has saved me a lot of unnecessary expenses over more than a decade of driving, keeping my cars running longer.
