What are the consequences of not changing the coolant for 5 years?
2 Answers
The consequences of not changing the coolant for 5 years are: 1. The water in the coolant evaporates, causing changes in the freezing point, which affects the effectiveness of the coolant; 2. It fails to provide anti-corrosion, anti-rust, and rust-removal functions for the engine, affecting the engine's service life; 3. It tends to increase the viscosity of the coolant, reducing the cooling and heat dissipation effect. The full name of the coolant is antifreeze coolant, meaning a coolant with antifreeze function. The coolant can prevent the cooling liquid from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block when the car is parked in cold winter. The coolant is mainly used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems and has excellent properties such as antifreeze in winter, anti-boiling in summer, and anti-scaling and anti-corrosion all year round.
My neighbor had a car that hadn’t had its coolant changed for five years, and last winter the engine’s cooling system froze and burst, leaving him stranded on the roadside waiting for a tow truck in the freezing cold. The repair cost over a thousand bucks because the radiator and water pump were corroded and clogged. In my opinion, coolant isn’t just about preventing freezing—it also protects against rust and corrosion. After five years, the additives are long gone, and mineral buildup reduces cooling efficiency, making the engine prone to overheating and cylinder damage. Skipping this small maintenance leads to big problems. A quick check during regular servicing and changing it every two years is the safest bet—saving money, hassle, and ensuring safety. Every driver knows these minor maintenance tasks can’t be skipped, or you’ll end up paying way more for repairs and wasting time. I’ve made it a habit to change the coolant regularly, and my car’s condition has stayed excellent.
