Do New Cars Need Antifreeze?
2 Answers
New cars do not need antifreeze. Antifreeze should be replaced approximately every two years, with each replacement requiring between 4 to 5 liters. The main functions of antifreeze are: 1. Preventing the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head during cold winter parking; 2. Effectively preventing boiling during high summer temperatures to avoid overheating; 3. Antifreeze also has anti-corrosion properties. The steps for replacing antifreeze are: 1. Unscrew the radiator cap to drain the old antifreeze; 2. Run the engine at idle and inject clean water until the radiator discharges clear water; 3. Wait for the clean water to drain completely and close the water valve; 4. Refill with new antifreeze until the liquid level is between the MAX and MIN marks; 5. Close the cap and let the engine idle for two to three minutes.
I've been driving for almost thirty years, and there's really no need to add antifreeze to a new car right away, because the cooling system is already filled with the factory fluid before it leaves the factory. Things like antifreeze are mainly used to prevent freezing in winter and overheating in summer to protect the engine. The manufacturer has already adjusted the ratio and quality for new cars. I usually teach beginners to first check the manual to confirm the type of antifreeze and avoid randomly adding different brands to prevent chemical reactions. Regularly open the hood to check the fluid level in the transparent reservoir—just top it up with the same type if it's below the minimum mark, but a new car is usually stable for the first year. Remember, check and replace it every two years or as recommended by the manual. The effectiveness decreases as it ages, affecting the engine's lifespan. This is practical advice from years of experience with old cars—proper long-term maintenance saves money and hassle.
