Should You Add Water or Antifreeze to the Car Radiator?

[IanRose]

You should add antifreeze to the car radiator. The detailed information is as follows: 1. Water in daily life can indeed be used to cool the engine. However, if water circulates in the engine, especially when it flows into the cooling tank behind the intake grille during the major cycle, impure water can produce scale that clogs the cooling system. This situation can lead to reduced engine power, increased wear, and high-temperature water is prone to evaporation, causing a shortage in the cooling system, which may result in cylinder scoring, cylinder head deformation, or even engine failure in more severe cases. 2. Water is also a type of coolant and can cool the engine. The coolant filled in the engine is typically a mixture of concentrated coolant and water in a certain standard ratio. However, water alone is considered a low-grade coolant, which is not only affected by seasonal changes but also prone to producing scale and rust. In contrast, antifreeze coolant is suitable for all seasons, of high quality, and ensures reliable performance. 3. In case of a shortage of coolant for some reason, distilled water can be used as a temporary substitute. The hazards of using water instead of antifreeze coolant are minimal if it's for short-term emergency use. Adding water temporarily will not damage the thermostat or clog the cooling channels.