Do You Need to Add Antifreeze in Summer?
2 Answers
You need to add antifreeze in summer. Antifreeze is a type of coolant containing special additives, mainly used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It has excellent properties such as preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and resisting scale and corrosion throughout the year. Composition of Antifreeze: The main components of antifreeze are: 50% pure water, 40% methanol, and 10% other substances. Types of Antifreeze: Antifreeze is generally divided into three types: ethanol-water, glycerol-water, and ethylene glycol-water. Can Different Antifreeze Brands Be Mixed? You must use the same brand of antifreeze. Different brands of antifreeze may have varying production formulas, and mixing them could cause chemical reactions between additives, rendering them ineffective. How to Choose Antifreeze: The basic indicators of antifreeze are freezing point and boiling point. The market offers antifreeze with freezing points of -15°C, -25°C, -30°C, -40°C, etc. Generally, it is advisable to choose one that is at least 10°C lower than the lowest temperature in your region.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, my top concern during summer driving is engine cooling. What we call 'antifreeze' should actually be termed 'coolant', and it's crucial to check it regularly in summer. I usually pop the hood monthly to inspect the reservoir tank. The fluid level between those two min-max markers is particularly critical - if it's too low during hot weather, engine temperatures can skyrocket above 120°C. I've witnessed radiators boiling over and spewing steam on scorching days. Modern coolants use ethylene glycol formulations with boiling points about 30°C higher than water, while also preventing corrosion in the cooling system. I recommend checking for cloudy discoloration before summer and replacing if necessary. Never top up with plain water as makeshift solution, or you'll likely encounter overheating warnings during long summer drives.
