The Difference Between Antifreeze and Coolant?
2 Answers
There is no difference between antifreeze and coolant; they are the same liquid. More information about antifreeze and coolant is as follows: 1. The full name of antifreeze and coolant is antifreeze coolant, meaning a coolant with antifreeze function. Antifreeze can prevent the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block when the vehicle is parked in cold seasons. 2. The engine and its cooling system are made of metal, including copper, iron, aluminum, steel, and solder. These metals, when in contact with water at high temperatures for a long time, can corrode and rust. Antifreeze not only does not cause corrosion to the engine cooling system but also has anti-corrosion and rust-removing functions.
I've been running an auto repair shop for many years, and car owners often ask this question. Coolant is the liquid in a car's cooling system, primarily used for heat dissipation to prevent engine overheating, and it can be used all year round. Antifreeze, on the other hand, is a specially formulated type of coolant that contains additives like ethylene glycol, designed specifically to prevent freezing in winter. The difference lies in their names: coolant refers to all heat-dissipating liquids, while antifreeze emphasizes its anti-freezing function. In practice, most products on the modern market are hybrid antifreeze coolants that combine both functions. However, in cold regions, such as the north, it's essential to ensure the liquid has a sufficiently low freezing point, like -40 degrees, otherwise using just water or ordinary liquid will cause freezing, potentially bursting the radiator and leading to expensive repairs. It's recommended to regularly check the fluid level and concentration, with a replacement every two years being ideal.
