What are the effects of insufficient antifreeze?
2 Answers
The effects of insufficient antifreeze are: 1. It may cause the engine or radiator to freeze and crack; 2. It can lead to engine malfunctions; 3. It affects the radiator's cooling efficiency. The functions of antifreeze are: 1. To provide freeze protection for the engine against low-temperature environments; 2. To prevent the coolant from freezing and expanding, which could crack the radiator or damage the engine block and cylinder head during cold winter parking; 3. To offer efficient cooling. The method for replacing antifreeze is: 1. Open the vehicle's engine hood, and the coolant reservoir can be seen in the upper right corner; 2. Open the antifreeze drain plug under the radiator to drain the old antifreeze; 3. Add new antifreeze, tighten the cap, and the antifreeze replacement is complete.
I once didn't add enough coolant, and during a long-distance drive, the temperature gauge shot up to the red line, which scared me into pulling over immediately. The most obvious issue with insufficient coolant is inadequate heat dissipation, causing engine overheating that wears out parts and can even lead to cylinder scoring in severe cases. The problem is worse in winter—low fluid levels mean insufficient freeze protection, risking a cracked radiator and damage to the engine block. Long-term coolant deficiency can also disable the heater, leaving the car freezing cold, and cause the water pump to run dry and leak. The anti-corrosion function basically fails, leading to rust on metal components everywhere, and the radiator may need replacement in just three to five years. Now, I've developed a habit of checking the coolant level monthly by opening the cap and topping it up with the same OEM coolant if it's below the mark, especially before long trips.
