What is the shelf life of unopened antifreeze?
1 Answers
Unopened antifreeze typically has a shelf life of two to three years. Therefore, when using antifreeze, it is essential to use it within the specified period. Using expired products can affect its actual performance. Steps for replacing antifreeze: Before completely replacing the antifreeze, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any signs of leakage or cracks in the pipes, with a particular focus on the five-way hose. The five-way hose gets its name from having five connection points to various parts. Antifreeze flows through the five-way hose and is then distributed to different parts of the car to perform its function. If there is any leakage of antifreeze in this section, replace the hose or reseal the connections as needed. Drain the old antifreeze, then flush the fluid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir and continue filling it to allow the water to circulate continuously through the engine cooling system. Then, start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the water to circulate. Initially, the water draining from the reservoir will have a faint pink tint. Continue adding clean water until the drained water runs clear. Note: Remember to disconnect the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core. After draining for about an hour, add the new antifreeze through the radiator hose to allow it to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another bottle of antifreeze to the antifreeze reservoir until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. During this time, the coolant level will drop slightly as air is purged from the system. Top up the antifreeze to the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
