Car antifreeze

Antifreeze is intended to cool a power unit. It is characterised by low freezing and high boiling points. It is made on water-glycol base.

Types

This agent is commercially available as:

• a ready-to-use product;
• a concentrate that has to be diluted with distilled water.

Depending on the type of additives and their amounts, the following kinds of antifreeze can be distinguished:

• G11 (Inorganic Acid Technology). It contains non-organic additives: silicates, phosphates, nitrates and others. They cover the whole inner surface of a radiator with a thin film protecting it from corrosion. Their disadvantage is that the film becomes deteriorated in course of time, turning into an abrasive. The fluid has a relatively low price and mainly a green or blue colour.
• G12 (Organic Acid Technology). Carboxylic acids are used as anti-corrosion additives. In this case, the protective film is only formed on corrosion spots. These products are usually coloured red or orange.
• G12+ (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology). This kind of antifreeze is a blend of organic and non-organic substances. The latter can be, for instance, silicates or nitrites. These products are characterised by a high heat transfer coefficient, doesn’t lead to formation of abrasives, most often has a reddish tint.
• G12++ (SOAT, Lobrid coolants). An organic base is combined with a small amount of mineral additives. They do not only protect the parts of the cooling system from oxidation but also eliminate the affected areas. They can be of all shades of red.
• G13. Unlike other types, this antifreeze is based on propylene glycol. This substance is quickly biodegradable and environmentally friendly. This fluid often has a purple or yellow colour and is used in sports cars.

Tips.

• Change the coolant according to the car manufacturer’s recommendations: on average, every 150 thousand kilometres or once in five years. The G11 products should be replaced more often – approximately, once in two years.
• Only use those liquids that are recommended by the car manufacturer. You can find this information on the expansion tank or in the technical documentation.
• Do not blend products of different types and brands. Otherwise, a chemical reaction occurs which leads to the deterioration of cooling system pipes and clogging of channels in the cylinder block.
• Before using another type of coolant, flush the cooling system.
• Do not use water instead of antifreeze. It doesn’t have any lubricating properties and might cause failure of the pump or other car parts.
• Monitor the fluid level by examining the expansion tank, and top it up as necessary. If you notice that the hoses or the reservoir are damaged, they must be replaced immediately. These defects can cause overheating of the power unit.

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