Should I Add Antifreeze to a New Car?
2 Answers
New cars do not require additional antifreeze. Below is a detailed introduction to automotive antifreeze: 1. In cold weather, it prevents components from system failures or cracking due to cooling issues. It also manages rust prevention and avoids excessive scale buildup that could block pipelines, offering functions such as anti-corrosion, anti-scaling, anti-boiling, anti-freezing, and anti-rust. 2. The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant, which is a coolant with antifreeze properties. It prevents the coolant from freezing in cold winter conditions, thereby avoiding radiator cracking or engine cylinder block/head damage. Antifreeze is a type of coolant containing special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. Its freezing point varies with the concentration of ethylene glycol in the aqueous solution.
When I first bought my car, I also wondered about this and specifically went to the 4S store to ask the technician. New cars come with fully filled coolant from the factory, so there's no need to add any yourself. However, it's important to develop the habit of opening the hood: park on level ground and wait for the engine to cool down, then check the pink or green liquid in the white reservoir—just make sure the level stays between MIN and MAX. A special reminder for friends in the south: don't take it lightly. Coolant isn't just for preventing freezing; it also protects the engine from boiling in the summer. My car ran for three years before I replaced the coolant. Remember not to mix different colors, as it can cause chemical reactions. If you notice the coolant level dropping unusually fast, it's safer to go straight to the 4S store to check for leaks.
