Many people think that getting ready for the cold season simply means fixing winter tires, but there is more to it. Preparation for the winter also means checking your coolant’s antifreeze. Coolant is a liquid that is used to reduce the temperature of the engine, while antifreeze is the liquid being added to the coolant to help prevent the coolant from freezing. Although some antifreeze is premixed with water, allowing you to simply add more when needed, these premixed types may not be suitable for your climate. Others are concentrated and need to be mixed with water to achieve the proper level of cooling for an engine and give you the ability to customize the ratio of water and antifreeze to your climate. But what is the correct ratio of water to antifreeze?
While water is a great fluid for cooling, it can cause corrosion. Moreover, antifreeze has a higher boiling point and a lower freezing point than water, which helps to protect your engine in extreme weather conditions. However, it is not very good at dissipating heat from the engine, because antifreeze is produced as an aid to water.
Choosing a concentrated antifreeze can be a little more complicated. However, it gives you more flexibility when it comes to the mixture. For example, a mixture of 30:70 (30% antifreeze and 70% water) can work properly in more moderate climates. But in climates where the temperature regularly falls below 0℃, a higher amount of antifreeze in the coolant is required. Mixtures with a ratio of 50:50 work almost in every climate. In climates where temperatures drop below 0℃ for a longer period, mixtures closer to 60% antifreeze and 40% water are better suited to keep coolant from freezing.
Before starting to mix, your first step should be consulting your car’s manual. There will be a section dedicated to coolant or antifreeze-usage specifications. It’s a good idea to keep a spare container around; a clean empty jug can come in handy when trying to mix antifreeze and water. Keep in mind that tap water contains many minerals, such as calcium, which can deposit themselves around your cooling system and cause damage, so using demineralized water is recommended. Make sure that both your car's engine and coolant system are completely cool before you start. When you have drained your car's coolant system and achieved the proper mixture of antifreeze and water, refill your car's coolant system and you are ready to go.
For more information about which antifreeze is suitable for your car, please advise the Eni Lube Finder, or contact us for more information.
Why use antifreeze in combination with water?
While water is a great fluid for cooling, it can cause corrosion. Moreover, antifreeze has a higher boiling point and a lower freezing point than water, which helps to protect your engine in extreme weather conditions. However, it is not very good at dissipating heat from the engine, because antifreeze is produced as an aid to water.
Choosing a concentrated antifreeze can be a little more complicated. However, it gives you more flexibility when it comes to the mixture. For example, a mixture of 30:70 (30% antifreeze and 70% water) can work properly in more moderate climates. But in climates where the temperature regularly falls below 0℃, a higher amount of antifreeze in the coolant is required. Mixtures with a ratio of 50:50 work almost in every climate. In climates where temperatures drop below 0℃ for a longer period, mixtures closer to 60% antifreeze and 40% water are better suited to keep coolant from freezing.
How do you refill your car with concentrated antifreeze?
Before starting to mix, your first step should be consulting your car’s manual. There will be a section dedicated to coolant or antifreeze-usage specifications. It’s a good idea to keep a spare container around; a clean empty jug can come in handy when trying to mix antifreeze and water. Keep in mind that tap water contains many minerals, such as calcium, which can deposit themselves around your cooling system and cause damage, so using demineralized water is recommended. Make sure that both your car's engine and coolant system are completely cool before you start. When you have drained your car's coolant system and achieved the proper mixture of antifreeze and water, refill your car's coolant system and you are ready to go.
For more information about which antifreeze is suitable for your car, please advise the Eni Lube Finder, or contact us for more information.
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