Should You Add Antifreeze or Water to the Car Radiator?
4 Answers
You should add antifreeze to the car radiator. The effects of insufficient water in the car radiator are: 1. The engine's heat dissipation capacity is relatively reduced, thinning the lubricating oil and lowering its quality; 2. Accelerating the wear on the surfaces of moving parts, which can easily lead to cylinder sticking, piston ring seizure, overheating, and cylinder scoring. The functions of the car radiator are: 1. To absorb heat from the cylinder block; 2. To prevent engine overheating. The reasons for insufficient water in the car radiator are: 1. Leakage from hose connections or the hoses themselves; 2. Cracks in the cylinder block, a loose or damaged cylinder head gasket, causing coolant leakage; 3. Damaged or porous seals in the oil cooler, leading to coolant leakage; 4. A loose radiator cap; 5. Leakage in the heater radiator; 6. Leakage in the three-way connector.
I've been driving for over twenty years and always insist on adding antifreeze to the radiator. When I was younger and didn't know better, I used tap water a few times. As a result, the water froze in winter and nearly cracked the radiator, and in summer, the engine overheated several times, costing me over a thousand yuan in repairs. Antifreeze can withstand temperatures dozens of degrees below zero, and its boiling point is over 20 degrees higher than water. Most importantly, it contains anti-rust and anti-corrosion additives that prevent the radiator from rusting or scaling. Now, I change it every two years, choosing the specific type for my car model. Even in winter at minus thirty degrees Celsius, the car starts right up—peace of mind and safety guaranteed.
Northern car owners must use antifreeze! Last year, my neighbor tried to save money by filling the radiator with water, and when the cold wave hit, the radiator pipe froze and cracked. The towing and repairs cost him nearly two thousand yuan. Antifreeze isn't actually expensive—a bottle can last for several years. Its specially designed formula won't freeze even at -40°C, and it provides better cooling efficiency in summer. Remember to choose reputable brands and avoid mixing different colors. Regularly check the coolant level when parked, and top it up with the same type if it's low. This way, your car's cooling system will remain trouble-free for a decade.
As an automotive plant employee, I strongly recommend using antifreeze coolant. While water may seem free, the long-term costs are significant – prolonged use leads to scale buildup that clogs radiator fins, corrosion of metal components causing leaks, and reduced cooling efficiency due to evaporation at high temperatures. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol and corrosion inhibitors, offering far more comprehensive protection than water. Our tests show: at -25°C, water freezes and expands, while antifreeze remains fluid, with a boiling point reaching 130°C. Modern vehicle cooling systems are designed specifically for antifreeze operation – using the wrong fluid will shorten engine lifespan.
