What is antifreeze and what is it for?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Car engine heating and cooling systems work by circulating a special fluid in the system. Its properties are similar to water. The liquid, with constant circulation, takes excess heat from the engine and transports it to the radiator. Here, this heat is released into the atmosphere. This liquid is antifreeze. She appeared 50 years ago. Let's look at what antifreeze is, why it is needed, what characteristics it has and how to replace it in a car.

Facts from history

Now you can often hear how motorists compare antifreeze and antifreeze. But comparing these substances is the same as trying to compare fish and crucian carp. The layman believes that antifreeze is a coolant that has a higher quality. And often these are imported products. And antifreeze is a domestic product. In other words, colored water. People do not know what antifreeze is, but in vain.

The time of its appearance coincides with the release of the first car from AvtoVAZ. Before that, there was ordinary water in the radiators. In severe frost, alcohol, or ethylene glycol, was added to the water. This protected the liquid from freezing.

This composition was crystalline and quite viscous, which excluded battery ruptures. Old cars had cast iron motors. This liquid was and is very safe in terms of corrosion. It was the most ideal solution. And they called it antifreeze.

The first problems with this line-up appeared when the first car from AvtoVAZ rolled off the assembly line. In its cooling system, VAZ workers used completely different materials. For them, the existing coolant was categorically not suitable. Therefore, state institutions have developed a completely new liquid without corrosive flaws - antifreeze. VAZ models worked great on it. At the heart of that coolant were s alts of inorganic origin. They formed a film on metal surfaces to protect the metal from ethylene glycol.

Tosol and its name

The liquid got its name from the name of the department. The product was developed by TOC, or organic synthesis technology. Soon the name was transferred to TOSol and then became the brand and standard for coolants. The properties were clearly regulated, as was the composition.

The Soviet Union produced two classes of these substances. So, antifreeze A-40 and A-65 was on sale, as well as antifreeze - M-40 and M-65.

The first liquid was obtained inthe result of mixing the product grade "A" with ordinary water. The figure meant the temperature threshold at which the composition would freeze. The antifreeze was of inferior quality.

Tosol for Zhiguli

Then this name became popular among motorists and subsequently became a household name. And since the products of AvtoVAZ became more and more successful and were in demand among the people, then antifreeze was the best choice. It was then that a stereotype was born among motorists - this composition is suitable only for the Zhiguli.

Tosol and its composition

This is a substance whose composition is much more complex than water. The latter is also present in the liquid, but besides it, there are other additives in the coolant. They provide antifreeze with all the properties that it possesses. Let's look at what these properties are and why this product is more effective than distilled water.

The main element in the composition of antifreeze is distilled water. It makes the substance less viscous. Now, knowing what antifreeze is, we can say that the denser the coolant, the less it is diluted. Car owners themselves regulate the density of the composition. This helps conserve fluid.

Another substance found in antifreeze is propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. These substances are derivatives of ordinary alcohol. Alcohol and propylene glycol have the same smell and similar composition. Alcohol-based substances are necessary so that in winter the liquid does not freeze and can maintain its original state. Propylene glycol is colorless, but its odor is pungent. It can be easilydistinguish from any other substances.

It is precisely because of the pungent odor that coolant manufacturers have added a special additive to the composition, which partially compensates for the unpleasant odor. The flavor additive often has no flavor and is used to compensate by improving the properties of the liquid.

Another important ingredient is dye. It is necessary to give the liquid a certain color. The shade helps to easily distinguish antifreeze from another coolant - antifreeze.

Unique Features

So, we know what antifreeze is. This is a domestically developed coolant. Let's look at what properties it has. This liquid is poured into the motors to cool them. But there are other reasons as well. Any liquid can handle the cooling. However, antifreeze contains special additive substances that protect the radiator metal from corrosion. Often, heat exchangers rust from the inside. The anti-corrosion additive creates a special film inside the radiator. Through it, moisture cannot act on the metal and react with it. Due to these anti-corrosion properties, it is possible to extend the life of the engine and radiator several times over.

Most other water-based fluids are difficult to maintain in sub-zero temperatures. But the antifreeze in the engine will not freeze. This liquid contains alcohol. Due to this, the substance will not freeze even at extreme temperatures. Antifreeze boils only at 110 degrees, which is also quite an important property.

Domestic products: composition and labeling

Depending on the marking, the composition of the liquid, its density and technical characteristics also differ. Now in the modern classification, manufacturers use the letters - A, M, K. The numbers - 30, 40, 65. The letters indicate the type of antifreeze - automotive, modernized, concentrate.

The numbers indicate the freezing point. Also, the marking may contain parts of the name of the manufacturer. Liquids with a freezing point below 65 degrees are not currently on the market. The level of crystallization is provided precisely by the concentration of ethylene glycol. As for additives, there are at least 8 of them. Their number can reach up to 15.

Selection rules

Modern manufacturers supply the market not only with the traditional blue liquid - there are many other shades. It should be remembered that the color does not affect the technical characteristics. The main purpose of the shade is the difference between manufacturers and mixing conditions.

The temperature at which this coolant boils is in the range from 104 to 112 degrees. One way to get a quality liquid is to check the density level. Good performance is from 1,060 to 1,090 grams per cubic centimeter. Antifreeze is replaced with the same liquid that was filled in the car.

How to change the coolant yourself

To replace the coolant, you do not need to go to a service center. You can perform the operation yourself. Even girls can handle it. You need to know a few simple rules, andthen there will be no difficulty. Let's look at how to change the antifreeze yourself. It is important to work on a cold engine - when the engine is hot, the expansion tank cap should not be unscrewed.

First of all, the car is placed on a flat surface. This is necessary so that during the replacement process it is possible to completely remove the used fluid. In other cases, a complete drain from the system is not possible. There must be something inside. In order to drain the antifreeze, you need to unscrew the upper and lower radiator caps. You should also place an empty container under the lid. Its volume should be at least seven liters for passenger cars and at least ten for light trucks (such as GAZelle).

Then you should flush the cooling system and tighten the outlet bottom plug. Next, finally, there will be a long-awaited replacement.

Liquid is poured into the opening of the expansion tank to the very top, and then sealed. After that, the car is started and the readings of the temperature sensor are monitored. Next, check the level and, if necessary, fill in the liquid again. Here's how to fill in antifreeze - this instruction is relevant for any car.