What is the difference between antifreeze and antifreeze and what is the essence of these concepts?

Every modern car is equipped with a cooling system in which a liquid such as antifreeze is present. In some cases, motorists fill antifreeze into the expansion tank instead. In fact, the functions of both fluids are the same. However, why is there an opinion that they can be used only on specific brands of cars? We’ll try to figure this out today. So, what is the difference between antifreeze and antifreeze?

The composition of antifreeze

In fact, there are differences between them. But before answering specifically this question, let's take a look at the composition of antifreeze. This name was taken for a reason. Translated from Greek, “anti” means “against”, “frieze” - from English “freeze”. Literally, this term means "coolant" for a car engine. That is, this material has the ability to maintain its viscosity at minus (-30-40 degrees Celsius) and extremely high (from 100 degrees) temperatures. That is why it is also called "anti-freeze."

To be specific in the question of how the antifreeze differs from antifreeze, it is worth noting that the latter is an aqueous solution of a heat-resistant substance that can hold its properties for a long time at low temperatures. Its composition includes propylene glycol, glycerin, ethylene glycol and inorganic salts.

Read more about antifreeze

And now about what is antifreeze. This term was first mentioned in the 70s of the last century, when the first VAZ-2101 car came off the assembly line of the Volga Automobile Plant. With the development of the automotive industry in the USSR, the requirements for coolants increased significantly, therefore, to solve this problem, a new tool was created, intended for use exclusively on VAZs, Volga and other domestic cars. In Soviet times, antifreeze was considered an advanced modification of antifreeze. However, now the concept of "antifreeze" does not carry any semantic load in terms of composition and quality. This liquid contains exactly the same components as the “anti-freeze”. The only difference between antifreeze and antifreeze is the place of production. The first is made exclusively in the countries of the former USSR. Antifreeze is considered a foreign product and is supplied to our countries as an imported product.

Quality

We are all used to believing that everything imported (machines, their units and accessories, including the same “anti-freeze”) is better than domestic products. However, in the case of antifreeze, such a concept as quality, in many respects converges with "overseas" antifreeze. Both products are manufactured in accordance with all norms and requirements, with the addition of the same components. The only thing that may differ is the inscription on the container, price and color (antifreeze is always blue, while antifreeze can be red, green and even purple). However, in some cases, antifreeze may be defective or tampered with. This is usually a rarity, but foaming of the substance in the tank is extremely undesirable, especially if the engine is at extreme temperatures.

Therefore, in the question of how the antifreeze differs from antifreeze, there is only one conclusion: the substances are the same in composition and properties and can be used on absolutely any car. However, overpaying for imported “anti-freeze”, you reduce the risk of acquiring counterfeit. In Russia, however, production standards are not adhered to as much as in Germany or Poland.