The content of the article:
- We will agree on the wording
- Market offers and general selection rules
- Concentrate or ready-made antifreeze: what to choose
Every car owner knows that it is necessary to correctly monitor all the important parts of the car. The cooling system requires particularly close attention. Correct selection and regular replacement of antifreezes minimize the problems associated with engine boiling when heated during the heat or, conversely, freezing of the liquid when the cold season begins.
Antifreeze, antifreeze or coolant: what does each term mean
Modern models of automobile engines use special emulsified compounds (antifreezes) to reduce the temperature that increases during the operation of an internal combustion engine. In the post-Soviet space, along with the modern name, the concept of "antifreeze" is also used. Often inexperienced drivers ask the question: "What is better antifreeze or antifreeze?"
In fact, antifreeze is just a cheap old type of antifreeze. The name "antifreeze" is a direct tracing of the English "antifreeze", which means ("does not freeze"). The most complete name for compositions of this type is the term "coolant".
The freezing point of antifreeze ranges from -38 to -42 degrees Celsius. A negligent approach to buying coolant can lead to machine malfunction and expensive repairs.
How to choose high-quality antifreeze: brands, composition, groups, colors
There is a huge number of antifreezes on the market that differ in both price range and technical characteristics, which presents a certain difficulty in the selection of coolant. Antifreezes are produced in Russia and abroad. Each composition has its own composition of additives (additives). In this regard, the quality of coolants always differs in composition.
Information about which brand of antifreeze is suitable for a particular car is contained in the owner's manual for the car. It specifically specifies the requirements for antifreeze, down to the manufacturers. According to statistics, brands of companies performed best in their work. FELIX, Castrol, Liqui Moly, SINTEC LUX, Motul.
If there is no such instruction, you should pay attention to analogs that are suitable in composition and chemical characteristics. On the label of the antifreeze package, you should pay attention to the name, shelf life, date of issue and scope. The refrigerant canister must be sealed with a disposable ratchet cap.
Normal, high-quality antifreeze is a clear liquid, without sediment and visible foreign inclusions.
Choosing the right coolant emulsion for a car, the car owner needs to take into account a number of factors, which will be discussed below.
Antifreeze composition
All refrigerants, regardless of class and manufacturer, have the same base:
- alcohol base;
- distilled water;
- additives (make up 3-7% of the total refrigerant volume).
Organic acids and propylene glycol form the basis of modern antifreezes.
The use of additives makes it possible to achieve special qualities of the coolant: anti-corrosion, minimum level of foaming, performance at low temperatures.
Antifreeze groups
Cooling compositions can be either concentrated, requiring independent dilution with distilled water, or initially produced in a working concentration.
There are several groups common to all refrigerant manufacturers: a group of hybrid refrigerants (G11), carboxylate refrigerants (G12 and G12 +) and lobrid refrigerants (G12 ++ and G13):
G11
The simplest and most affordable products used in the cooling system of old, mainly domestic, cars produced not earlier than 1996. It is an emulsion based on ethylene glycol with a minimum of additives that create a thin protective layer on the walls against corrosion.
The liquid is colored blue, green, blue. It does not use nitrites, phosphates, borates and amines. This antifreeze should be changed every 2 years.
G12
This group is used for cars with high-speed motors produced in 1996-2001. The composition does not contain nitrites, it is marked in red, orange, pink.
In its production, ethylene glycol is used with the addition of carboxylate compounds. When refrigerant is used, a protective film only forms in areas prone to corrosion, increasing heat dissipation.
The G12 line, when properly used, does not lose its working qualities for five years. The cost of these formulations is higher than the G11, but the quality matches the price.
G12 + and G12 ++
A distinctive feature of this group is environmental friendliness and a minimum level of harm to humans and nature. This property is achieved due to the purity of the base and the minimum of hazardous impurities. The refrigerants are formulated using non-toxic propylene glycol. They are used for cars assembled after 2001.
Additives allow this coolant to be used in aluminum and cast iron engines. The service life of the trains of this group is quite long - up to eight years. This is the only type of antifreeze that is not afraid of mixing with the compositions of other groups! For coloring, lilac, purple and lilac shades are most often used.
G13
The emulsion is made according to the latest technologies for machines that are exposed to increased loads and harsh operating conditions and have the maximum degree of heat capacity and thermal conductivity. Most often used for sports cars and motorcycles.
This group of refrigerants, due to the high degree of purity of the emulsion and excellent anti-corrosion properties, allows the use of the coolant for up to ten years! In Russia, the compositions of this group are not manufactured.
Before purchasing antifreeze, it is also necessary to study its composition, which is directly related to the physical characteristics of operation:
- temperature threshold of freezing;
- boiling temperature threshold;
- lack of foaming;
- anti-corrosion;
- aggressiveness of influence on the cooling system.
We must not forget that even with accidental mixing, different groups of emulsions can enter into a chemical reaction. In antifreezes, additives can be created both on alkaline and acidic bases. When they are connected, precipitation in the form of flakes is possible, which can clog the motor system and lead to overheating and damage to the unit.
You should use an emulsion of only one selected manufacturer and a specific brand, even if the composition of antifreezes is similar in composition. In the situation of replacing antifreeze, it is necessary to thoroughly flush the cooling system before filling with a new brand of refrigerant. It is necessary to change the antifreeze on time, without violating the terms of its operation.
It is best to have a liter supply of antifreeze "in reserve" with you in your car. In an unforeseen situation, when there is no stock, and the coolant leaves on the road, then in the summer you can use ordinary water as a replacement, in the winter - any antifreeze of the same class.
After the end of the movement, it is imperative to check the entire engine cooling system: eliminate any leaks, the resulting mixture of antifreeze and water - drain and replace the coolant on the usual machine, paying attention to whether there is a sediment.
If the color of the antifreeze changes during operation, this may indicate a deterioration in performance! Discoloration of antifreeze indicates a complete loss of working properties!
Choosing antifreeze by color
Often, car owners prefer to buy a coolant based on its color. It should be noted right away that refrigerants themselves are colorless, coloring is done in order to attract the attention of buyers to their products and as a distinguishing feature from the products of competing manufacturers.
The bright color also helps to avoid confusion with water. When filling the cooling system, a colored emulsion allows you to quickly notice a possible leakage of antifreeze and eliminate the problem in time.
Those who are guided by color when buying antifreeze claim that the shade speaks of the quality of the product. This statement is only true if the antifreeze is produced according to Volkswagen standards, where the color is directly tied to the class. In the Volkswagen lineup offered for Russia, green and red brands are especially popular.
- Antifreeze, painted in green color, represent the lion's share of G11 class refrigerants or are hybrid emulsions of the G12 class. These brands are chosen by car owners of budget vehicles, focusing primarily on the low price.
- Red composition - one of the most popular antifreezes, most often belongs to the G12 and G12 + classes with organic additives.
There is no particular difference between the compositions of these two colors. The composition depends on the additives that are responsible for the boiling and freezing threshold of antifreeze. Additives are also responsible for the interaction of the refrigerant with the elements of the cooling system. So, green antifreeze is not included in the chemical reaction with aluminum and its alloys, while red - with copper and brass.
The operation of the vehicle cooling system and its protection against corrosion directly depend on the choice of antifreeze, therefore it is better to base it on the recommendations of the automaker when choosing.
- Other colors... There are refrigerants in other colors on the market. The blue color is more common in antifreeze, as well as in liquids of the G11 class, which contain silicate additives. Yellow shades are more likely to indicate hybrid or lobrid type antifreeze. The purple color is highly likely to indicate the G13 class, with increased requirements for durability, cleanliness and environmental friendliness.
The color palette is very diverse, but the tacit color ratio of price and quality is conditional and inherent only to manufacturers of well-known brands.
Small and unpopular manufacturing companies can use any colors, therefore, first of all, when choosing antifreeze, car owners should pay attention to the technical parameters and the class of the refrigerant.
Concentrate or ready-made antifreeze: what to choose
The market assortment of the cooler is presented in two versions: the refrigerant, which is poured into the system immediately from the purchased container (without additional processing) and the concentrate, which assumes independent dilution by the vehicle owner.
Concentrate benefits:
- concentrated antifreeze is guaranteed not to be diluted with water;
- the car owner has the opportunity to prepare a cooling composition for operating a car in different climatic zones according to their individual needs (for example, when diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio, the freezing temperature of the resulting composition is on average -45 degrees, and the undiluted refrigerant will freeze already at a temperature of -12 degrees).
The advantages of ready-made antifreeze:
- no need to waste time diluting the acquired composition before proceeding with the replacement of the coolant;
- there is no risk of making a mistake in the ratio of parts of water and the acquired composition.
Choosing a ready-made concentrate or diluting the composition yourself is a matter of personal preference for the car owner.
Conclusion
It is necessary to choose a specific brand and type of refrigerant, relying on the information given in the vehicle's data sheet. The manual necessarily prescribes the class of antifreeze, the preferred brand of the manufacturer. Before buying antifreeze, be sure to familiarize yourself with its composition and verify the data with the information specified in the manual for the car. It is not worth saving when choosing a coolant, because the trouble-free operation of the engine, and, as a result, the entire car depends on it.
