Car owners pay special attention to the performance of their vehicle's antifreeze. Antifreeze, also known as "coolant," is actually needed all year round. The freezing point is an important indicator of antifreeze performance, but the boiling point is equally critical. Note: Normal indicators ≠ can be used indefinitely!
Antifreeze also has a "shelf life." Let's talk about why antifreeze needs to be changed regularly.
Why Antifreeze Needs to Be Changed Regularly？
Recently, a customer was having their vehicle serviced and inspected when the mechanic discovered that the antifreeze had been in use for several years and recommended a replacement. However, the customer argued that the freezing point of the antifreeze they had purchased was within the acceptable range, and even lower than the freezing point marked on the packaging. Therefore, the customer believed that there was no need to replace the antifreeze under these circumstances.
Factors Affecting Antifreeze Replacement
In fact, there are clear regulations regarding the replacement time of antifreeze, and the reasons for replacement are not just related to the freezing or boiling points.
Antifreeze is mainly composed of deionized water, buffering agents, and corrosion inhibitors, among which the type of corrosion inhibitor is the main factor affecting the replacement cycle. Corrosion inhibitors are mainly divided into three categories: inorganic salt type, organic acid type, and composite type. Inorganic salt corrosion inhibitors are consumed relatively quickly, and the service life of antifreeze is about 2 years; while the consumption rate of organic acid and composite corrosion inhibitors is significantly reduced, allowing the service life of antifreeze to reach up to 5 years, which is close to its maximum usage period.
Why Does Antifreeze Seem "More Effective" After Long-Term Use?
Generally speaking, antifreeze is ethylene glycol-based. Ethylene glycol has the characteristics of high boiling point, low freezing point, low volatility, moderate viscosity with minimal change with temperature, and good thermal stability.
Since water evaporates more easily than ethylene glycol, the concentration of ethylene glycol relatively increases after long-term use, and the freezing point decreases accordingly, thus showing enhanced antifreeze effect. However, as the water evaporates, the concentration and viscosity of the antifreeze gradually increase, leading to reduced cooling efficiency, and may even cause pipe blockages, which can easily lead to engine overheating.
Precautions When Adding Antifreeze
(1) Different types of antifreeze should not be mixed.
Many manufacturers add different colorants when producing antifreeze to distinguish different types and brands. Mixing different brands of antifreeze can cause chemical reactions, reducing the antifreeze effect and even damaging the cooling system.
(2) Tap water should not be used as a substitute for antifreeze.
Tap water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C, which cannot meet the high-temperature operating requirements of the engine. Moreover, the impurities and minerals in tap water can cause pipe blockages and affect the normal operation of the cooling system.
NIBD Antifreeze
Nebod Antifreeze, tailored to market demands, uses a 1:1 ratio liquid (100% pure water). Simply open the cap and add directly without dilution, significantly reducing the risk of impurities caused by adding non-pure water in the operating environment, and better protecting the engine system and its related components.
NIBD Tips
In fact, antifreeze needs to be changed regularly because its performance degrades over time. The corrosion inhibitors in antifreeze gradually become ineffective, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and even potential engine damage and corrosion of other components. Therefore, it is recommended that you follow the vehicle maintenance manual and change the coolant regularly or based on mileage. Nebod Antifreeze can provide corrosion protection for the engine cooling system and metal components, extending the life of the cooling system and offering long-term protection for your vehicle.
