How much antifreeze should be added to a car?
2 Answers
The antifreeze for a car should be added in two stages, totaling 5 to 6 liters. The first stage is when the vehicle is stationary: add the antifreeze while gently squeezing the rubber hose by hand until the fluid level reaches the midpoint between the 'low' and 'high' marks. The second stage occurs after starting the vehicle and driving a short distance. Observe if the coolant level has dropped; if so, wait for the engine to cool down after parking and add more antifreeze. Antifreeze generally comes in three types: ethanol-water, glycerin-water, and ethylene glycol-water. Ethanol has a freezing point of -114°C and a boiling point of 78.3°C. It is highly flammable and prone to evaporation, so its content should not exceed 40% when preparing the mixture.
As a car owner, the amount of coolant to be added generally needs to be between the marked lines on the coolant expansion tank, with MIN being the minimum line and MAX being the maximum line. Having driven for many years, I'm accustomed to opening the hood when the engine is cold, locating that transparent plastic container, and slowly adding coolant until it's close to the MAX line before stopping. Overfilling may cause overflow when the engine is hot, while insufficient coolant can lead to engine overheating during driving, especially on summer highways. I also recommend checking the fluid level regularly, at least once a month, as evaporation or leaks can reduce the coolant level. Performing maintenance during seasonal changes can save a lot of hassle. The mixing ratio is also important—50% coolant and 50% distilled water is the standard to prevent freezing and corrosion of the radiator in winter.
