What is the difference between adding water and adding coolant to the engine?
1 Answers
In areas north of the Huai River, coolant should be added. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, prevents the need to drain water at sub-zero temperatures, thereby avoiding engine freeze cracks. In areas south of the Yangtze River, water can be added instead of coolant, as there is no need for antifreeze protection. In fact, in regions with higher temperatures, coolant tends to evaporate, making it less convenient to replenish, whereas adding water is more straightforward. Below is some relevant knowledge about radiators and antifreeze: 1. Car Radiator Under no circumstances should water be used in a car's radiator, except in emergency situations when dealing with a malfunction. This is because most modern engines feature aluminum alloy cylinder heads and blocks. 2. Function of the Radiator The radiator serves as a cooling system. Besides preventing freezing, antifreeze also offers anti-corrosion, anti-rust, anti-boil, and anti-scale benefits. Using water can lead to scale buildup and clogging in the radiator, reducing cooling efficiency and potentially causing engine overheating. Additionally, water can accelerate rusting in cast iron engines. 3. Importance of Antifreeze in Summer Using water in summer can easily lead to overheating and boiling, as water has a boiling point of 100°C, whereas antifreeze typically boils at around 110°C. Therefore, using antifreeze in summer is even more crucial. 4. Coolant Has Lubricating Properties Coolant provides some lubrication for the water pump's seals, extending the pump's lifespan. However, if you live in a hot region, adding water might be considered for convenience.
