Pure water seems a more economical and convenient alternative for dedicated coolant. But is it OK for your engine? Check our article to find out!
Coolant, also known as “anti-freeze” is not a strange thing for all car users. However, the fact is that a surprising number of car owners think that pure water is a fine replacement for a coolant/water mixture as a solution for heated engines in a hot weather. This misbelief could lead to significant risks to the engine’s durability.

We recognized the widespread perception and would like to bring you a better understanding of what an “anti-freeze” actually does and improve your car maintenance practice.

1. What is coolant/antifreeze?

You may have known the coolant for a long time but actually, it is just an additive that when mixed with water, it increases the range at which the water will boil and freeze. Pure coolant doesn't have these properties but once you mix it with water at 50/50 ratio, it's a miracle!

At this ratio, the mixture will not freeze if the temperature doesn’t reach 30 °F, and will not boil to 275 °F or so. This asset is essential to the cooling system of your engine.

Antifreeze has some main active ingredients including ethylene glycol (EG) and/or propylene glycol (PG). These ingredients keep the coolant mixture in liquid form at a wide temperature range. Besides, there are also a lot of inhibitors and additives added to the main ingredients.



Main active ingredients in antifreeze include ethylene glycol (EG) and/or propylene glycol (PG)

Last but not least, there are additional dyes in the coolant with a lot of color options including green, pink, yellow, red or orange. They are meant to help determine the ingredients in the coolant so that you can use a product that matches the characteristics of your engine cooling system.

If you replace the antifreeze yourself, don’t risk doing without consulting a dealer or checking the vehicle manual for the suggested coolant.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7inC4lOpGs
How Car Cooling System Works

2. How important is the coolant in your car engine?

The coolant comes with a core benefit for your car cooling system which is that the mixture is still in the liquid as long as the temperature is in the aforementioned limit. This means that in cold weather, the coolant will remain liquid and can flow efficiently through the system to cool the engine and avoid damage. And in hot weather or when the engine has operated for such a long time, the coolant will prevent boiling and continue to flow in the liquid form, effectively cooling the car engine.

The role of the additives in the coolant is preventing corrosion of the components. And not all manufacturers use common materials for the cooling system, so you should consider carefully choosing a suitable one for your car engine. Although some coolants in the market are designed as universal products which can use for all types of vehicles, it is always necessary to consult the car maker and make sure for your choice.



The coolant comes with a core benefit for your car cooling system which is that the mixture is still in the liquid

3. Cautions

Pouring in the pure coolant is absolutely useless if the coolant levels are low in the radiator. To reach the right thermal range, the coolant should be mixed with water in a ratio of 50:50.

Ethylene glycol, as you know, is toxic. However, its sweet and vivid colors will attract your children, so be cautious! It’s also dangerous if an animal laps up this substance. In the meantime, propylene glycol is somewhat less noxious. Hence, if you cannot preserve the coolant, buy one based on PG.

Disposal of coolant should be kept in mind as well. Let’s follow the local guidelines. As usual, it’s advisable to rush to your county’s hazardous waste disposal facility where the experienced will know what to do. Of course, it’s not free all the time. In case of spills, make use of kitty litter and sweep it up.

4. Coolant - water mixture, not just water

As mentioned above, it’s unwise to pour pure water into the radiator in any case. As a result, to keep your engine’s cooling system running smoothly as well as prolonging its lifespan, opt for the right coolant.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/pure-water-instead-of-coolant-yay-or-nay-201

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