Is Antifreeze the Same as Coolant?
3 Answers
Coolant and antifreeze are the same, with no difference. The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant, which serves two purposes: 1. When the vehicle is not running, it prevents freezing. Since the antifreeze is in the engine block, liquid turning into solid will expand in volume, which could crack the engine block. 2. After the vehicle starts, it cools the engine to prevent overheating, which could damage the engine. Not replacing the antifreeze for a long time will cause its quality to deteriorate, reducing its anti-rust properties and damaging components like the radiator and pipes. It will also affect the boiling and freezing points, impacting the antifreeze or cooling performance and potentially harming the engine.
When I first bought my car, I wasn’t quite sure about the difference between antifreeze and coolant, so I asked a lot of experienced drivers and mechanics. They all said these two are the same thing, just with different names. Antifreeze is the Chinese translation of the English word ‘coolant,’ and its main functions are to cool the engine, prevent freezing in winter or overheating in summer, as well as to protect the system from rust. However, in detail, antifreeze usually refers to an ethylene glycol mixture that can be directly added to the radiator. I had an issue with my first car—once in winter, the fluid level was low, and the pipes almost froze and cracked. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to check it every two years or every 50,000 kilometers, which has saved me a lot of trouble. Remember, never use tap water as a substitute, as it can cause rust and damage the engine. Overall, knowing they are synonyms makes daily maintenance much easier, but don’t take safe driving for granted.
I usually drive to and from work, and after driving for a while, I realized that it's actually quite simple. Antifreeze and coolant? Haha, they're the same thing! When you buy it at the auto shop, the label says coolant, which in Chinese is called antifreeze coolant, used to regulate engine temperature and prevent freezing or boiling. From my experience, different brands come in different colors, like green or red—just make sure you buy the right one. Check the fluid level every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, and top it up if it's low. Once during a summer trip, the radiator leaked and caused overheating. Luckily, I stopped in time and added some spare antifreeze, avoiding a breakdown. I recommend keeping a small bottle in your car for emergencies. Don't overcomplicate things—knowing a bit about cars makes life easier, and regular maintenance is key.
