What is the replacement interval for car antifreeze?
2 Answers
Car antifreeze should be replaced every two years. The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant, meaning a coolant with antifreeze function. 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 role of antifreeze in winter: Prevents coolant from freezing when parked in cold weather, avoiding radiator cracks. Antifreeze is not only used for winter protection against freezing, but also offers advantages such as descaling, corrosion inhibition, and high boiling point, making it essential for year-round use. Antifreeze is a specially formulated coolant additive primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems.
I've been driving for over twenty years. At first, I didn't pay much attention to whether the antifreeze needed changing, until one winter when the engine froze and cracked directly, costing me over 8,000 yuan for a major repair—it was heartbreaking. Later, an experienced driver taught me that regular antifreeze should be changed every two years, while long-life antifreeze can last up to five years without issues. It also helps with cooling in the summer, and not changing it can corrode engine components, affecting their lifespan. Every time I check for color changes or perform a freezing point test, it's simple and practical. The manual says Volkswagen cars need it every two years or 40,000 kilometers, while Honda's lasts five years or 100,000 kilometers—pretty reliable advice. Don't be lazy; regular maintenance can save you big trouble. A piece of advice from experience: buy a freezing point tester to check it yourself. If the concentration is low, change it immediately for peace of mind when driving in winter.
