Do Small Cars Need Water?
2 Answers
Small cars do not require water; the radiator should be filled with antifreeze. Below is an introduction to the relevant content: 1. Replenishment: When the antifreeze coolant level is found to be below the minimum (the normal capacity of antifreeze coolant should be between MIN and MAX), it is necessary to replenish the vehicle's coolant promptly. 2. Antifreeze replacement: When a new car reaches a certain mileage, typically two years or 40,000 kilometers, the antifreeze coolant should be replaced. Below are extended details on precautions for adding coolant to new cars: 1. No substitution: Ordinary water cannot be used as a substitute for antifreeze. 2. No mixing: Do not mix antifreeze of different colors and specifications. 3. No mixing of different brands: When using antifreeze from different brands, try to completely drain the original antifreeze from the cooling system. 4. Usage: Regardless of high or low temperatures, antifreeze should be used for the efficiency and longevity of the cooling system. There is no theory that antifreeze is unnecessary in the south because winters are not cold.
Having driven a car for so many years, I'm quite familiar with this matter. Small cars do need water, but not the purified water you drink. There are mainly two areas to pay attention to: one is the engine's cooling system, which contains coolant—a chemical liquid mixed with water that prevents freezing in winter or overheating in summer; the other is the windshield washer reservoir, which holds a mixture of water and cleaning agent for spraying the glass to remove dirt. If the coolant runs out, the engine may overheat and get damaged, leading to terrifying repair costs. I usually check the water levels every month, and if it's low, I add some specialized fluid. Don't cut corners by using tap water, as it can cause rust over time and damage the parts. Also, for the washer fluid, clean water mixed with a bit of detergent powder is enough—just make sure the nozzles don't get clogged.
