What Happens If a Car Lacks Coolant?
2 Answers
If a car lacks coolant, it can lead to excessively high water temperatures and, in severe cases, even cause cylinder scuffing in the engine. The role of coolant: Coolant is a type of cooling liquid containing special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It offers excellent performance characteristics such as preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and providing year-round protection against scale and corrosion. Can different coolants be mixed? It is necessary to use the same brand of coolant. Different brands of coolant may have varying production formulas, and mixing them can lead to chemical reactions between the various additives, potentially rendering the additives ineffective. How to choose coolant: The basic indicators of coolant are its freezing and boiling points. On the market, coolants come in several specifications with freezing points such as -15°C, -25°C, -30°C, and -40°C. Generally, it is advisable to choose a coolant with a freezing point at least 10°C lower than the lowest temperature in your region.
As someone who has been driving for many years, I have personally witnessed the serious consequences of insufficient coolant. Without it, the engine cooling system cannot function properly, and the heat cannot dissipate, leading to overheating and a rapid rise in the temperature gauge. At best, the fan will run wildly, and fuel consumption will increase; at worst, it can cause damage to internal engine components, such as cylinder head deformation or piston erosion, with repair costs easily reaching thousands of dollars. The problem becomes more pronounced during the high temperatures of summer—once, I almost broke down because I forgot to check. The solution is simple: regularly open the engine hood and check that the coolant reservoir level is between the minimum and maximum lines. In winter, you also need to ensure it prevents freezing. Checking it once a month ensures safe driving.
