What is the jug next to the engine?
2 Answers
The jug next to the engine is the coolant reservoir. The full name of the coolant should be antifreeze coolant, meaning it is a coolant with antifreeze properties. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head when the vehicle is parked in cold winter conditions. The functions of antifreeze include the following: 1. Cooling effect: Cooling is the basic function of the coolant. The engine generates a large amount of heat during operation, with 60% of the heat dissipated through the cooling system to the surrounding space. Water and methanol coolants have low boiling points and are prone to boiling. If the vehicle operates under conditions where the coolant boils, even for a short time, it can cause engine damage. 2. Anti-scaling effect: Scale in the cooling system comes from cations such as calcium and magnesium in the water. These alkaline earth metal cations, under thermal load conditions, easily react with anions in the water to form scale. Scale can wear out the water pump seals and cover the outer walls of the cylinder block water jacket, reducing its thermal conductivity and causing a sharp increase in temperature in the high-temperature zone of the cylinder head, leading to cylinder cracking. Therefore, to minimize scale formation, the production and filling of coolant require the use of softened deionized water.
Oh, that 'kettle' next to the engine is actually the expansion tank of the cooling system. When we drive, the coolant expands and contracts with heat, and this tank stores the excess antifreeze to prevent the engine from overheating and bursting. I've been maintaining my car for over ten years and know its prominent position makes it easy to check the fluid level. If the level is too low, you need to add special coolant—don't just pour in tap water, as it can freeze in winter and burst the pipes or corrode internal parts in summer. It's also important to regularly check the seal of the cap. If it ages and leaks, the entire cooling circuit will lose pressure, causing the water temperature to skyrocket and leading to costly repairs. During routine maintenance, just take a quick glance at the fluid level every month to keep it between the upper and lower marks. Never open the cap when the engine is hot, as boiling liquid can spray out and cause burns. Developing this habit can help your car stay trouble-free and give you peace of mind while driving.
