What is the Difference Between Antifreeze and Water?
2 Answers
Antifreeze and water differ in their properties: antifreeze has the characteristics of being freeze-resistant and high-temperature resistant, while water has no such properties. The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant, which serves two purposes. First, when the vehicle is not running, it prevents freezing because the antifreeze is inside the engine block. If the liquid turns into a solid, its volume expands, which can crack the engine block. The second purpose is to cool the engine after the vehicle starts, preventing the engine from overheating and causing damage. Antifreeze has a lower freezing point than water, better freeze resistance, a higher boiling point, and superior evaporation resistance compared to water. When the engine is running, it operates at high temperatures. If water were used for cooling, since its boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius, it would evaporate into steam when the temperature reaches 100 degrees. The water level would gradually decrease, and once all the water evaporates, it would no longer be able to cool the engine, leading to engine damage.
I often see novice drivers asking about the difference between antifreeze and water. Simply put, antifreeze is a specialized liquid designed for the engine cooling system, capable of preventing freezing, overheating, and corrosion, whereas water is only suitable for temporary use but comes with much higher risks. Imagine using water as a coolant in winter when temperatures drop below zero—it can easily freeze, expand, and damage engine components. In summer, when the engine overheats, water may also boil and vaporize, causing the radiator to burst. How unsafe is that? When antifreeze is mixed with 50% water, it raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing point, while the added anti-corrosion agents protect metal pipes from rust, extending their lifespan. My advice is not to cut corners by using tap water alone. Stick to the vehicle manual's recommendation of replacing antifreeze once a year or every 20,000 kilometers. The cost of a single replacement is minimal compared to the expense and hassle of major repairs it helps you avoid.
