Is Antifreeze the Same as Engine Coolant?
1 Answers
Engine coolant and antifreeze are not the same thing. Coolant is a liquid that can lower the temperature of the engine. It circulates within the engine cooling system, carrying away excess heat generated during engine operation, allowing the engine to operate at normal working temperatures and providing a cooling effect. This liquid can be pure water or antifreeze. Antifreeze, whose full name is antifreeze coolant, is a coolant with special additives that provide antifreeze properties. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing and expanding in cold winter conditions, which could otherwise crack the radiator or damage the engine cylinder block or head. Functions of Antifreeze: Antifreeze is non-corrosive. It is a type of coolant containing special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. Antifreeze offers excellent properties such as preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and protecting against scale and corrosion throughout the year. Composition of Antifreeze: The main components of antifreeze are: 50% pure water, 40% methanol, and 10% other substances. Types of Antifreeze: Antifreeze is generally categorized into three types: ethanol-water type, glycerol-water type, and ethylene glycol-water type. Can Different Antifreeze Brands Be Mixed? It is necessary to use the same brand of antifreeze. Different brands of antifreeze may have varying production formulas. If mixed, the multiple additives may undergo chemical reactions, rendering the additives ineffective.
