What Happens If You Don't Change the Antifreeze for 10 Years?
2 Answers
Generally, the replacement interval for automotive antifreeze is two years or 40,000 kilometers. If antifreeze is not changed for 10 years, its effectiveness will diminish. Once its performance declines, it can no longer ensure efficient engine cooling, leading to reduced engine performance and a shorter engine lifespan. However, for some luxury cars like Mercedes-Benz, the antifreeze replacement interval is 10 years or 200,000 kilometers. Relevant information about antifreeze is as follows: 1. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing during cold winter parking, which could otherwise crack the radiator or damage the engine cylinder block. Its full name is antifreeze coolant. 2. Antifreeze is a coolant containing special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It offers excellent properties such as preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and resisting scale and corrosion year-round.
Not changing the antifreeze for ten years is really unacceptable. I've encountered this situation before—when repairing a car, I found numerous issues with the cooling system. The degraded fluid turns acidic, corroding internal aluminum components like the water pump and radiator, which can quickly develop leaks. Once the additives are depleted, the rust protection is completely lost, and sediment buildup can clog the pipes, greatly increasing the risk of engine overheating and cylinder seizure in summer. Winter is even worse, as the antifreeze's effectiveness declines and the freezing point rises, potentially causing the engine to freeze and crack in low temperatures. I remember repairing an old car where replacing the entire radiator cost several thousand dollars just because of this. Usually, I recommend changing the antifreeze every two years—it protects the engine and saves on repair costs. Don’t wait until problems arise to regret it; proper maintenance ensures smooth operation. Regularly check the fluid’s color and temperature—preventive care is better than expensive fixes later.
