How many kilometers can you drive at most after the antifreeze leaks out?
2 Answers
You cannot drive after the antifreeze leaks out. Whether the antifreeze leakage is caused by an impact or due to aging and cracking of the pipes, as soon as the antifreeze leaks out, you should immediately stop the vehicle and turn off the engine—you must not continue driving. Although the absence of antifreeze does not prevent the engine from starting, without the cooling and temperature regulation provided by the antifreeze, the engine temperature can easily exceed normal operating temperatures and even rise higher. The possible consequence is engine detonation. The functions of antifreeze in an engine include: providing anti-corrosion protection for cooling system components, preventing scale buildup to avoid reducing the radiator's cooling efficiency, and ensuring the engine operates normally within the proper temperature range.
Let me tell you, if the coolant is completely drained, you absolutely must not drive the car—at most, you can drive it zero kilometers or so. What does coolant do? It's mainly used to cool the engine. Without it, the engine temperature skyrockets, and it can overheat and fail in minutes. I once saw a friend's car leaking coolant, and he stubbornly drove it a short distance. In less than two kilometers, it started smoking and broke down, costing tens of thousands to replace the engine. Why is it so dangerous? Once the car starts, the engine runs at high speed. Even if the leak is slow, the temperature gauge will quickly spike into the red zone, easily causing cylinder scoring or burning out the engine. The critical factor is how far you drive—hot weather, highway cruising, or driving in traffic might mean it won't last a few hundred meters; cold weather or idling might get you a kilometer at most, but the risk is enormous. My sincere advice is to stop immediately and call for help if you notice a leak—don't gamble by driving. Regularly checking fluid levels and hose connections can prevent this issue. Safety comes first.
