What is the Difference Between Coolant and Water?
1 Answers
Water and antifreeze have fundamental differences. Antifreeze has properties of freeze resistance and high-temperature tolerance, while water does not. Additional information: 1. Introduction to Antifreeze: The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant. It serves two purposes: first, when the vehicle is not running, it prevents freezing because antifreeze is in the engine block, and when liquid turns into solid, its volume expands, which could 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 also helps manage rust prevention and prevents excessive scale buildup that could clog the pipes. 2. Why Water Cannot Replace Antifreeze: Antifreeze has a lower freezing point than water, making it more resistant to freezing. Its boiling point is higher than water, making it more resistant to evaporation. When the engine is running, it operates at high temperatures. If water is used for cooling, since water boils at 100°C, it will evaporate into steam when the temperature reaches 100°C, gradually reducing the water level. Once the water completely evaporates, it can no longer cool the engine, leading to engine damage. If the ambient temperature drops below 0°C, water will freeze, and the expansion from liquid to solid state can crack the engine block, causing engine damage. Therefore, water cannot replace antifreeze. However, in emergencies, water can be added to antifreeze.
