Why do cars need to consume antifreeze?
2 Answers
Cars consume antifreeze primarily for the liquid-cooled engine cooling system. Antifreeze has excellent properties such as preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and protecting against scale and corrosion throughout the year. Method 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 focus on the five-way water pipe. The five-way pipe gets its name from having five connection interfaces to various parts. Antifreeze flows through the five-way pipe and is then distributed to different parts of the car to function. If there is any leakage of antifreeze in this section, replace the water pipe or resecure the interface as needed. Drain the old antifreeze, then flush the liquid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir, then continue to pour water into the reservoir so that the water continuously flows through the engine cooling system. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. The water initially flowing out of the reservoir will have a faint pink color. Continue adding clean water until the water coming out is clear. Note: Remember to remove the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core. About an hour after draining, add the new antifreeze through the radiator hose. This allows the antifreeze to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another bucket 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 expelled from the cooling system. Add more antifreeze until the reservoir reaches the maximum mark "MAXT."
Why do cars need antifreeze? It's not some toy to burn for fun; it's a big helper in the cooling system. Simply put, it prevents the water in the engine from freezing in winter—if it freezes, the engine can get damaged, and repairs can cost a fortune. In summer, it raises the boiling point; water boiling over is dangerous, but antifreeze keeps things stable. Adding it also prevents rust and corrosion, protecting parts like the water pump to last longer. As someone who's driven, I know that without antifreeze, starting the car in cold weather is tough, and it might even stall mid-drive—way too unsafe. So, changing it regularly is crucial; just follow the manual, and don’t skimp to save trouble.
