Antifreeze and coolant are vital components in keeping your engine running at optimal temperatures. Without these fluids, the engine’s temperature could rise or fall to dangerous levels, leading to severe damage. Coolant helps prevent the engine from overheating, while antifreeze protects it from freezing in temperatures below zero degrees Celsius. With modern vehicles increasingly made from aluminium, which is lightweight but more prone to corrosion, maintaining the proper levels of antifreeze and coolant has become even more critical.
Why Coolant is Essential for Engine Health
A lot of energy is generated by a running engine, and managing this heat is essential to avoid overheating. Roughly one-third of the thermal energy from the engine is expelled through the exhaust, while another third goes into the engine’s actual operation. The remaining heat has no escape route, which is where coolant plays a critical role. Without it, the engine block could overheat and even melt from the excessive heat, potentially causing catastrophic damage.
Even in cold or freezing temperatures, a running engine generates enough heat to reach dangerous levels. That’s why it’s essential to always maintain the right level of coolant, regardless of the outside temperature. Whether it’s scorching hot or freezing cold, coolant ensures your engine stays within a safe operating temperature range.
The Role of Antifreeze
Antifreeze works in tandem with coolant, but its primary function is to keep the engine from freezing in extremely cold weather. Without antifreeze, the water in the engine could freeze, expand, and cause serious damage to the engine block. This is particularly important in colder climates or during the winter months when temperatures can drop below zero. Antifreeze ensures the liquid in your engine remains fluid, protecting it from both freezing and overheating.
Protecting Your Engine from Corrosion
Modern engine blocks are often made from a combination of metals, including aluminium, which is more vulnerable to temperature-induced corrosion. One of the key benefits of using antifreeze and coolant is their ability to prevent corrosion. Keeping the antifreeze and coolant levels at the manufacturer-recommended levels protects your engine from corrosion caused by temperature changes and exposure to the elements. This also prevents the buildup of deposits that can form within the engine and cooling system, helping to maintain the system’s efficiency and longevity.
In fact, studies show that low coolant levels are responsible for over half of all engine and cooling system failures. This highlights how crucial it is to regularly check and maintain proper fluid levels to avoid preventable and costly repairs.
Other Benefits of Antifreeze and Coolant
The benefits of antifreeze and coolant go beyond just preventing overheating and freezing. They also help to:
- Prevent corrosion: Modern antifreeze and coolant formulas contain additives that help protect the engine’s metal components from corrosion.
- Keep the engine clean: Coolant helps prevent the buildup of debris, dirt, and rust within the engine, keeping it clean and operating efficiently.
- Stabilise engine temperature: Coolant ensures that the engine temperature remains stable, even during extended periods of operation in extreme conditions.
- Protect plastics and elastomers: Today’s coolant formulas are safe for the various plastic and rubber components found in modern vehicles, ensuring that seals and hoses remain in good condition.
In the past, antifreeze and coolant didn’t offer the corrosion protection they do today. As vehicles have become more complex, the fluids have also evolved to meet the higher performance demands of modern engines. Using the right type of antifreeze or coolant, as specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer, is essential for ensuring your car runs smoothly and efficiently.
Using the Right Coolant for Your Vehicle
Not all coolants are created equal, and using the wrong type can result in damage to your engine. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner manual or ask your mechanic to ensure you’re using the correct coolant for your make and model. Manufacturers specify certain types of coolant for a reason—using the wrong one can lead to suboptimal performance and potential engine damage.
Never let your vehicle run without coolant or antifreeze, as doing so can lead to irreparable damage to the engine. Regularly checking and topping up your coolant levels is one of the simplest ways to avoid major engine problems and keep your vehicle in top condition.
Conclusion
Antifreeze and coolant are essential for protecting your vehicle from both overheating and freezing, while also preventing corrosion and ensuring the engine operates at optimal temperatures. Regularly checking and maintaining these fluids, along with using the correct product specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer, will help extend the life of your engine and prevent costly repairs. Don’t underestimate the importance of antifreeze and coolant—keeping these fluids at the proper levels is crucial to keeping your vehicle running smoothly.
