Do You Need to Change Car Antifreeze in Summer?
2 Answers
You need to change car antifreeze in summer. According to the requirements of the car maintenance manual, antifreeze should be used at all times, and water should not be used as a substitute for antifreeze. Therefore, antifreeze should also be replaced promptly in summer. Antifreeze replacement cycle: For vehicles that run for long periods, such as taxis, high-quality antifreeze generally needs to be replaced once a year. For vehicles with shorter running times, it can be replaced every two years or every 30,000 kilometers. To prevent excessive foam formation, which reduces the heat exchange efficiency between the antifreeze and engine components, ensure the product is within its validity period when adding it. Long-lasting antifreeze can have a validity period of up to three years. If suspended matter, sediment, deterioration, or discoloration is found in the antifreeze, it should be replaced promptly, and the system should be cleaned. Antifreeze composition: The main components of antifreeze are: 50% pure water, 40% methanol, and 10% other substances.
Last time my car overheated on a long trip, I finally understood that you gotta keep an eye on the coolant in summer! Despite its name 'antifreeze', this stuff actually protects the engine year-round. When stuck in traffic on hot days with the engine screaming, good coolant won't boil until 130°C. My old car had low coolant levels in summer that I didn't top up in time, and the cooling fan ended up spinning like a helicopter. Remember never to mix it with tap water - scale buildup clogging the pipes costs nearly as much as engine repairs. Always keep half a bottle of the same color in the trunk, pop the hood every two months to check, and make sure the level doesn't drop below the Min line - it'll save you both headaches and money.
