Does Car Antifreeze Have an Expiration Date?
2 Answers
Car antifreeze does have an expiration date, typically around 5 years. A change in color may indicate that the antifreeze has expired and deteriorated. Once deteriorated, it can produce impurities, causing the antifreeze to lose its original properties. These impurities may also lead to blockages, so it's important to pay attention to the expiration date and replace the antifreeze promptly. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing during cold winter stops, which could otherwise crack the radiator or damage the engine block. Its full name is antifreeze coolant. Antifreeze is a type of coolant containing special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It offers excellent performance in preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and protecting against scale and corrosion year-round.
Antifreeze definitely has an expiration date! My five-year-old car was a hard lesson. Last winter, the radiator almost froze, and I later found out from the repair bill that the antifreeze had been expired for over half a year. This stuff is like milk—it spoils. The preservatives inside gradually lose effectiveness, especially after opening when mixed with air. Typically, unopened antifreeze lasts about three years, but once poured into the car, it needs replacement every two years or so. Now, I make it a habit to check before winter, mainly looking for cloudiness or floating impurities in the color. If it's spoiled, I replace it immediately to avoid engine damage. Remember, expired antifreeze not only loses its effectiveness but can also corrode the cooling system!
