Key Takeaways:
- Engine coolant and antifreeze are presumed interchangeable terms, but they refer to two different fluids.
- If you live in a cold climate, use antifreeze in your car’s cooling system.
- IAT antifreeze is less expensive and more widely available, but it doesn’t last as long as OAT antifreeze.
- OAT antifreeze costs more, but it lasts longer.
- Coolants keep a car’s engine from overheating.
One important fact to understand when maintaining your car is the difference between engine coolant and antifreeze. Many people end up using the terms as a single item, but they are two different products. Engine coolant helps keep your engine running at a consistent temperature, while antifreeze helps protect your engine from damage caused by freezing temperatures. This post will discuss the differences in detail. Remember, even though they are different products, they serve the same purpose, i.e., protecting your engine.
How are the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Made?
The ingredients in engine coolant and antifreeze can vary depending on the manufacturer. In general, though, both products contain ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is a type of alcohol that lowers the freezing point of water. This substance is poisonous to humans and animals, so it’s important to keep it away from children and pets.
To this alcohol base, manufacturers add different chemicals to give the coolant or antifreeze additional properties. For example, some products contain silicates. Silicates help to protect the engine from corrosion. Other products might contain Borates which also protect against corrosion, but they also raise the boiling point of the coolant mixture.
Main Difference Simplified
Antifreeze is an ethylene glycol-based liquid. It lowers the water’s freezing point, preventing the water from turning into ice and damaging the engine. Engine coolant is a combination of water and antifreeze. The ratio of water to antifreeze in engine coolant is usually 50/50, but it can be as high as 70% water and as low as 30% antifreeze. The main difference between engine coolant and antifreeze is that engine coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze, whereas antifreeze is an ethylene glycol-based liquid.
Some coolants come premixed with water, while others are concentrated. The advantage of the premixed coolants is that you don’t have to worry about correcting the proportions of water and coolant. The disadvantage is that they can be more expensive than the concentrated form.
Replace Your Coolant
Engine coolant does not last forever and will need to be replaced at regular intervals. The frequency depends on the type of coolant and the manufacturer’s recommendations. For example, some types of coolant can last up to five years or 100,000 miles, whereas some must be changed every 30,000 miles or so.
Why is it Important to Flush the Coolant?
Over time, the coolant can become contaminated with rust, scale, and other debris. This can clog up the radiator and cause problems with the cooling system. Suppose you do not change your engine coolant timely. In that case, it can become corrosive and damage various parts of your engine, leading to costly repairs. That’s why it’s important to flush the coolant at least once in two years.
To flush the coolant, you’ll need to drain it from the radiator and then refill it with fresh coolant. Do it yourself, or let a mechanic fix the issue. If you do it yourself, ensure you follow your car’s manual instructions. And be careful not to overfill the radiator, as this can cause problems. Follow proper coolant flush and fill procedures.
Benefits of Antifreeze
Antifreeze has many benefits, the most important of which is preventing your engine from overheating. It absorbs heat from the engine and dissipates it into the surrounding air. This keeps your engine at a constant temperature, even when working hard.
Another benefit of antifreeze is that it prevents corrosion. It creates a barrier between the metal parts of your engine and the water in which they are submerged. This protects the metal from rust and other forms of corrosion.
Finally, antifreeze can prevent your engine from freezing up in cold weather. That is because it lowers the freezing point of the water content in the coolant, which means that it takes longer for it in your engine to reach a temperature at which it will freeze.
Vital Signs That Your Car Demands a Coolant/Antifreeze Service
There are some vital signs which indicate that your car is in dire need of a coolant/antifreeze service. They are as follows:
– The temperature gauge of your car consistently rises to the hot side
– You find sweet-smelling syrup under the hood of your car
– There is rust in the coolant reservoir
– You frequently have to add coolant/water to the reservoir
– The radiator hoses are hard and brittle
– There is steam coming out from under the hood of your car
– The heater of your car is not working as efficiently as it used to
If you observe these signs, take your car for a coolant/antifreeze service. This will ensure that your car’s engine stays healthy and functioning properly.
Is the Coolant Also Known as Radiator Fluid?
The coolant in your car’s engine is also known as radiator fluid. Radiator fluid helps keep your car’s engine cool and running smoothly. It is important to regularly check your radiator fluid level and top it off if necessary.
Check out our blog and discover how to tell if your car radiator needs to be replaced.
Difference Between IAT and OAT Antifreeze
IAT, or Inorganic Additive Technology, antifreeze is the traditional type of coolant. It is made with ethylene glycol and has a sweet smell. OAT, or Organic Additive Technology, antifreeze is the newer type of coolant. It is made with propylene glycol and has a bitter taste.
Both have their pros and cons. IAT antifreeze is less expensive and more widely available, but it doesn’t last as long as OAT antifreeze. OAT antifreeze is more expensive, but it lasts longer and is less likely to cause corrosion.
Feldman CDJR of Woodhaven, serving Wyandotte, MI, is ideal for car services because we offer unmatched car care services designed to meet the needs of our esteemed customers. We have experienced auto technicians dedicated to providing the best possible service.
Our pricing is highly competitive, and we offer a wide range of financing options to make car ownership more affordable. Feldman CDJR of Woodhaven is the ideal Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM service center for your car service needs.
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