What does coolant mean in a car?
2 Answers
In a car, coolant refers to antifreeze (coolant), which is marked on the antifreeze reservoir, and the indicator light on the dashboard will also display it. The functions of antifreeze include the following two points: 1. Protecting the engine: (1) In winter, it prevents the coolant from freezing and damaging the engine: when parking in cold winter, it prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or freezing the engine cylinder block or head; (2) In summer, it avoids boiling over: during high summer temperatures, it effectively prevents boiling and avoids overheating. The role of car antifreeze is significant, directly affecting the car's performance and lifespan. 2. It has anti-corrosion properties and can protect all these metals: since the engine cooling system includes metals such as steel, aluminum alloy, cast iron, and copper, the cylinder block and head are generally made of cast aluminum or cast iron, and the radiator is mainly made of copper and brass. Antifreeze must be able to protect all these metals as it is in long-term contact with them. Using deionized water and appropriate additives can prevent various types of corrosion.
In all my years of repairing cars, coolant is essentially the engine's cooling or antifreeze liquid—simply put, it's the fluid in the radiator that prevents the engine from overheating or freezing in winter. Its main components are a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, which absorbs and dissipates high temperatures from the engine. I've seen many car owners neglect maintenance, leading to cooling system failures—engines overheating and smoking in summer or freezing and failing to start in winter. Routine checks on fluid levels and color are essential: normal coolant appears green, red, or yellow; if it turns cloudy, it needs replacement. Typically, it should be changed every 2 years or 30,000 kilometers, otherwise, it can corrode pipes and water pumps, resulting in costly repairs. Don’t forget to choose the right type—OAT or HOAT coolants are more eco-friendly and durable.
