Should You Add Water or Coolant to the Car Radiator?
2 Answers
You should add coolant to the car radiator. Coolant is a year-round liquid that is not affected by seasons, ensuring high quality and performance. Although using water as a substitute for coolant can cause some damage to the cooling system, short-term use will not harm the thermostat or clog the cooling system. Using water instead of antifreeze is only an emergency measure, and coolant should be used whenever possible. The full name of coolant is antifreeze coolant, meaning it has antifreeze properties. It prevents the coolant from freezing in cold weather, which could otherwise cause the radiator to crack or damage the engine cylinder block.
As a young enthusiast of self-driving tours, I once learned a lesson from a friend's experience with the car radiator. To save money, he only used purified water in the radiator. As a result, during a summer highway drive, the engine overheated and triggered an alarm, leaving the car stranded on the road. The repair cost nearly two thousand yuan. The mechanic explained that water has a low boiling point, causing it to boil under high engine temperatures, and it also corrodes internal pipes, leading to rust. Coolant, on the other hand, contains antifreeze and anti-boil agents, with a boiling point above 130°C and a freezing point below -30°C, while also protecting the engine from corrosion. Since then, I've insisted on using specialized antifreeze coolant, mixing it with distilled water at a 50% ratio for fluid changes, and checking the fluid level every six months. Developing this habit makes driving much more reassuring. Don't underestimate this detail—trying to save small money can lead to big regrets and costly repairs.
