Antifreeze is essential if you live in an area where temperatures get cold in the winter. By adding it to the radiator you will prevent many problems for your car.
Maintaining your vehicle is the surest way to keep it running for a long period of time. Sometimes, a little care can make a huge difference in the integrity of all the most important components.
Antifreeze is one of these easy solutions that takes very little time. As you may have understood from the name, this chemical compound can be added to radiator water to lower the threshold at which liquids freeze: from 0 to -40 degrees.
Forgetting to add antifreeze will cost you dearly: without this chemical additive, you will damage the engine, leading to failure.
Are there different types of antifreeze?
There are different types of antifreeze, each characterized by specific chemical technologies. Technology-based antifreezes IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology)for example, are formulated with inorganic additives such as silicates and are often suitable for older vehicles, as they offer effective protection for the metal components of older engines. On the contrary, those based on OAT (Organic Acid Technology) they use organic acids to prevent corrosion and are suitable for more modern cars, with engines built from lightweight materials such as aluminium. Finally, antifreezes HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) They combine features of both types, offering universal protection and greater durability.
It is important to check your vehicle’s maintenance booklet to identify compatibility with the type of antifreeze required. Using the wrong product could compromise the life of your engine or cooling system, so it’s always worth choosing carefully.
If you’ve never used this product, you may not know that there are 4 different colors of antifreeze: blue, green, yellow, and red. The chemical components determine the color, which is why you should prefer yellow and red ones, as they are the ones that work best at lower temperatures.
As mentioned above, you can safely mix antifreeze with water when you put it in the radiator. However, remember these three tips:
Now that winter is here and cold temperatures are approaching, don’t forget to put antifreeze in the radiator. The good news is that, assuming your engine is working properly, antifreeze does not need to be added often, depending on your car’s owner’s manual and the type of antifreeze used, it could last 2 to 4 years without any problems.
Also be careful of hot temperatures
Antifreeze is not only useful in winter to prevent freezing, but also plays a vital role in the warm months. This chemical compound helps stabilize engine temperatures, preventing overheating. Its formulation helps keep the cooling system efficient, reducing the risk of the water in the radiator reaching the boiling point. Therefore, it is an indispensable ally to guarantee the correct functioning of the engine throughout the year, regardless of the weather conditions.
