Does mixing a small amount of coolant have any impact?
2 Answers
It is not recommended to mix coolants. However, adding a small amount of a different coolant will not affect the vehicle. If you must mix coolants, ensure they are of the same brand. Different brands of coolants may have varying production formulas, and mixing them could lead to chemical reactions between additives, rendering them ineffective. Coolant replacement method: Before completely replacing the coolant, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any leaks or cracks in the pipes, with a focus on the five-way hose. The five-way hose gets its name from having five connection points to different parts of the vehicle. Coolant flows through the five-way hose and is distributed to various parts of the car to function. If there are any signs of coolant leakage in this area, replace the hose or resecure the connections as needed. Drain the old coolant, then flush the liquid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the coolant reservoir and continue filling until water flows continuously through the engine cooling system. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. Initially, the water draining from the reservoir may have a faint pink tint. Continue adding clean water until the outflow is clear. Remember to remove the heater hose and drain all water from the heater core. After about an hour of draining, add the new coolant through the radiator hose to allow it to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another container of coolant to the reservoir until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. As the cooling system expels some air, the coolant level will drop. Top up the coolant to the maximum mark "MAXT" on the reservoir.
Mixing different types of antifreeze is actually quite risky. I once tried it out of curiosity, and my car's coolant temperature skyrocketed, which really scared me. The reason is that different antifreeze formulations may conflict with each other. For example, if you mix a silicate-based type with an organic acid type, the chemical reaction can produce sediment that clogs the cooling system's pipes and may even corrode metal parts like the water pump gasket. Over time, engine overheating can occur, and repair costs could easily exceed a thousand dollars. It's best not to risk mixing them. If you accidentally add a small amount, immediately monitor the temperature gauge. If anything seems abnormal, drive to a repair shop right away to flush the entire system and replace it all with the same brand. Regularly checking the antifreeze condition during maintenance is also crucial—prevention is always cheaper than repairs.
