Does the antifreeze need to be replaced?
2 Answers
Antifreeze needs to be replaced, with a replacement cycle of two years or 40,000 kilometers. Here are the specific details: 1. The effective usage period of antifreeze is mostly two years: it should be replaced when it expires or if the coolant is found to be dirty. 2. When replacing, be sure to completely remove the old coolant and add clean water: start the engine and let it idle for about ten minutes to circulate and clean. After stopping the engine, drain the clean water. Here are some additional details: 1. The freezing point of antifreeze changes with the concentration of ethylene glycol in the aqueous solution: when the concentration is below 59%, as the concentration of ethylene glycol in the aqueous solution increases, the freezing point decreases. When the concentration exceeds 59%, as the concentration of ethylene glycol increases, the freezing point tends to rise, and when the concentration reaches 100%, the freezing point rises to -13 degrees. 2. Introduction: The full name of antifreeze should be antifreeze coolant, meaning coolant with antifreeze function. Antifreeze can prevent the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head during cold winter parking.
Antifreeze does need regular replacement. I remember neglecting this with my old car, and the engine ended up overheating and deforming, resulting in shockingly high repair costs. Antifreeze prevents corrosion and freezing, but over time, its additives deplete, becoming more acidic, leading to rust and blockages in the cooling system. I recommend following the vehicle manual—typically every two years or 30,000 kilometers, depending on usage. When replacing, drain the old fluid, flush the system thoroughly, and add new fluid at a 50:50 ratio of antifreeze to distilled water. Checking before summer road trips is crucial to prevent overheating failures. For daily DIY maintenance, use test strips to check pH levels—it’s cost-effective and reassuring. Don’t wait until the engine warning light comes on; by then, it might be too late. Safety first—small maintenance ensures big safety.
