Does adding too much car antifreeze have any impact?
3 Answers
Adding too much car antifreeze does have an impact. The effects are: during the use of the car, it will undergo thermal expansion and overflow stains from the pressure relief valve. The function of car antifreeze is: to prevent the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or cover when the car is parked in cold winter. The method of replacing antifreeze is: 1. Unscrew the radiator cap to drain the antifreeze; 2. Let the engine idle and inject clean water until the radiator discharges clean water; 3. After the clean water has drained, close the water valve; 4. Add new antifreeze so that the liquid level is between the max and min water level marks; 5. Cover the cap and let the engine idle for two or three minutes. The precautions for using car antifreeze are: 1. Try to use the same brand of antifreeze; 2. When adding, confirm that the product is within its validity period; 3. Avoid diluting it with water; 4. If a large amount of particle precipitation appears, it indicates that the antifreeze has deteriorated and can no longer be used.
I've been driving for decades, and adding too much antifreeze does have an impact. I remember one time when I casually poured in a little extra, and not long after driving, the radiator overflowed. It's even worse in hot weather because the liquid expands when heated, increasing system pressure. If it exceeds the upper limit, it might burst pipes or components. Over time, it can also corrode gaskets and shorten the engine's lifespan. My lesson is that antifreeze must always be between the MAX and MIN marks—never overfill. If you accidentally add too much, go to a repair shop immediately to drain some out. Regularly checking the antifreeze level is crucial—it not only protects your car but also saves unnecessary repair costs, as car breakdowns are both troublesome and expensive.
As a novice driver, I encountered this issue last year when I overfilled the coolant. The next day, I noticed small water stains under the car. After consulting a friend, I learned that excessive coolant can cause excessive pressure in the cooling system, potentially cracking pipes when frozen in winter and reducing cooling efficiency when overheated in summer. Since then, I've been very careful, measuring the amount precisely before pouring. Coolant is designed to prevent freezing and cool the engine, but overfilling not only serves no purpose but can also cause problems. I recommend using a measuring cup to control the fluid level accurately. Beginners often tend to add too much due to nervousness, but the markings on the coolant reservoir are very precise—just follow them.
