What's the Difference Between Adding Water and Antifreeze to the Radiator?
2 Answers
The difference between adding water and antifreeze to the radiator lies in their effects: adding water can corrode the radiator, produce scale, impair normal heat dissipation, and shorten the radiator's lifespan. Additionally, water can freeze below zero degrees, potentially damaging the radiator. In contrast, adding antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing when the vehicle is parked in cold weather, avoiding the risks of cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block. The radiator is a key component of the car's cooling system, also known as the heat exchanger. Antifreeze is a coolant with special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It offers excellent performance features such as freeze protection in winter, boil-over prevention in summer, and year-round protection against scale and corrosion.
Adding water is cheap and common, but pure water has a high freezing point, turning to ice at zero degrees, and its expansion upon freezing can damage engine components. Its boiling point is low, making it prone to boiling and damaging the engine during high-speed operation in summer. Antifreeze, on the other hand, has a much higher boiling point, around 120 degrees, and a freezing point as low as tens of degrees below zero, ensuring it doesn't freeze in winter or boil in summer. It also contains additives to prevent metal corrosion and rust, helping to clean internal pipes and avoid scale blockages. From my experience, adding water temporarily can work in a pinch, but for daily use, antifreeze is essential to maintain system health—otherwise, long-term damage can be more costly. Remember, in extremely cold regions, switching to antifreeze can save significant repair costs and provide peace of mind while driving.
