What is the difference between water and antifreeze?
2 Answers
The differences between water and antifreeze are: 1. Different freezing points: The freezing point of water is 32 degrees; the freezing point of antifreeze is -40 degrees. 2. Different boiling points: The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius; the boiling point of antifreeze is 108 degrees Celsius. 3. Different functions: Water can cause rust in the engine's water passages and lead to scale buildup; antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator when parking in cold winter. Antifreeze is a coolant containing special additives, mainly used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems, with excellent properties such as preventing freezing in winter, preventing boiling in summer, and preventing scale and corrosion all year round. The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius. When the temperature reaches 100 degrees Celsius, water evaporates into steam and cannot serve as a coolant.
Water and coolant look quite different to me. Water is just ordinary drinking water, and while using it in a car's cooling system might save money in the short term, it causes many problems in the long run. First, water freezes and expands in winter, potentially cracking the engine block—repairs can cost hundreds or even thousands. In summer, water boils easily, leading to engine overheating and breakdowns. Coolant, on the other hand, contains additives like ethylene glycol that lower its freezing point to dozens of degrees below zero, preventing ice formation, and raise its boiling point above 100°C, preventing evaporation. It also includes anti-corrosion agents to protect the pipes from rust. I've been using coolant for years, and my engine runs smoothly, saves fuel, and requires fewer repairs. I recommend checking the coolant regularly and avoiding the convenience of just adding water—it’s really asking for trouble.
