When refueling a car’s cooling system, you should read the instructions that contain information on how to dilute antifreeze concentrate. It differs from the finished antifreeze, which does not require the addition of water. The composition of the substance is such that solid crystals are not formed in it at low temperatures. However, before pouring, it is recommended to take into account the freezing threshold of the concentrate.
Varieties of coolant
The instructions for the substance indicate how to dilute the antifreeze concentrate. Information is placed on the packaging container or directly on the container itself with the liquid. The preparation of the coolant depends on the composition.
The following types of antifreeze are distinguished:
- Traditional - such was used by the owners of the domestic auto industry. Antifreeze and its analogs are classified as obsolete coolants, but some drivers still use a cheap tool. It is not diluted, but in warm areas, drivers can add water to save.
- Hybrid - hybrid coolants. The composition includes several types of additives that have a beneficial effect on the internal cavities of the motor and cooling system. There are three types of substances depending on the manufacturer: Japanese and Korean origin - phosphates, American - nitrites, European - silicates.
- Lobrid - includes two types of inhibitors: mineral and organic.
- Carboxylate - durable. The long service life is explained by the mode of action of the concentrate: the active substances react only when corrosion has formed. After that, a protective film appears at the place of rust.
General rules
Before you dilute the antifreeze concentrate, you need to familiarize yourself with the wrong options for the procedure. Violation of technology leads to costly car repairs. One of the important points for the preparation of coolants is the prohibition of mixing various types of inhibitors. For this, mixtures of their color are often prepared.
But not always the same shade indicates a similar type of concentrate. If there is no confidence in the exact origin of the liquid poured into the tank, it is better to pour antifreeze. How to breed a new mixture, you can find out when buying in a car shop.
A ratio of 50/50 is often observed when antifreeze is topped up. Whether to pour undiluted concentrate is up to the car owner. There are a number of disadvantages when using a substance without adding water:
- Replacing coolant will be an expensive procedure.
- For the proper operation of additives that protect the metal from overheating and corrosion, water molecules are required.
- The thick mixture will heat up quickly, and the boiling point is reached faster.
- The service life of the substance is reduced due to the low mobility of the mixture. The pumping unit - pump - is designed for a certain viscosity. Due to the undiluted state, the node will fail more quickly.
Important coolant parameters
As a rule, these basic criteria are followed when choosing a coolant: the boiling point of antifreeze and the freezing point. Modern engines operate at temperatures above 100 degrees. Therefore, old additives are no longer serviceable.
By the way, you need to know not only how to dilute the concentrate. Antifreeze sometimes changes color during the life of the product. It is the shade of the mixture that many drivers are guided when they are going to change the coolant.
Substance Life:
- carboxylate retain properties for more than 5 years;
- hybrid protect from 3 to 4 years;
- traditional work no more than 2 years.
Based on the service life, it is recommended to know how to dilute antifreeze concentrate. After all, if you add a carboxylate mixture to the traditional embodiment, you will have to change the liquid much earlier than the established time. But a situation may arise when the substance thickens due to a chemical reaction. Then the operation of transport will become completely impossible.
Coolant preparation sequence
Consider how to breed antifreeze. The concentrate is stirred only with distilled water in an amount equal to the volume of the first substance. All manipulations are done before filling into the expansion tank, using a clean container.
How to breed antifreeze (concentrate), they know in any auto repair shop. In order not to be mistaken with the choice of a suitable product, it is recommended to consult a specialist. Often car dealerships change fluids at their discretion. This may be due to mini-accidents during transportation, when the nozzles burst or the tightening clamps were tightened poorly.
Rules for preparing the mixture
Only distilled water is added to the concentrate. Often drivers add tap water. This will disable the system much earlier, despite the presence of additives.
Tap water contains salts, minerals, rust, and other deposits. They quickly settle on the inner walls of the engine grooves under the influence of high temperatures. Experienced craftsmen recommend slightly overestimating the specified amount of antifreeze - so the resulting solution will work more efficiently.
For proper mixing, all substances are added to a separate container, then poured through the neck into the car system. It is important to prevent the formation of air jams. If you do not let out excess air, certain cooling areas will quickly heat up and some of the additives will become unusable.
Why doesn't the manufacturer immediately prepare the coolant?
The concentrate contains the active substance ethylene glycol - this is 93% of the total volume. This mixture freezes at -13 degrees, which does not allow the car to be operated in the northern regions. When mixed with distilled water sold in car dealerships, a chemical reaction is observed. The resulting solution is ready to withstand -38 degrees.
The second reason for the supply of concentrate is to save space when delivering antifreeze to stores. When selling the finished cooling mixture, it would be necessary to find another half of the occupied volume in warehouses, which would certainly lead to a rise in the cost of the product.