The cooling system is an integral part of anycar. Without it, the engine simply boils. Moreover, as practice shows, the motor only needs a couple of minutes of work to overheat when the SOD is idle. The main working fluid is antifreeze. This component is the reason for many disputes among motorists. Some say that it can only be poured into a foreign car, others say that the fluid is universal and suitable for any engine. There is also a lot of controversy over whether it is possible to mix antifreeze. In today's article, we will dispel these myths. We also find out which antifreeze is poured into the car and what types it is.
So what is this liquid?Why do I need antifreeze in the car? This is a coolant, the main task of which is to protect the engine from overheating. It has a wide temperature range - it is able not to freeze at -40 degrees and not to boil at +110. Unlike water (which was used before the invention of antifreeze), this fluid is universal and is used at any time of the year.
The basis of any antifreeze is ethylene glycol anddistilled water. The liquid has a sweet smell and a viscous consistency. In a pure state withstands temperatures up to +196 degrees. However, it freezes already at -10. To change the freezing temperature threshold, ethylene glycol is mixed with distilled water and additives. Thus, at the output we get a liquid that does not boil at +110 and does not freeze at -40.
Note that the additives are a required component for each antifreeze. Without them, pure ethylene glycol destroys the pipes and walls of the engine block.
Among motorists there is a perception that this coolant can only be used on foreign cars. But practice has shown that antifreeze works well on domestic engines.
In principle, there is no difference between antifreeze - liquidworks as expected. However, at the price of antifreeze will be somewhat more expensive, which is why not every car owner decides to buy. After all, the domestic antifreeze copes well with the task of cooling the "VAZ" motor.
In total there are several groups of coolant data:
What antifreeze is better to use? Consider in detail each type.
This is antifreeze green.Sometimes it can be blue as antifreeze. It contains chemical and organic additives (silicates, phosphates, borates). Additionally, some carboxylic acid is used to prevent the effect of corrosion. Among the advantages of this coolant is worth noting:
There are disadvantages.The coolant of this group has the lowest resource among all others. How often to change the antifreeze in the car? Its resource is 2 years or 60 thousand kilometers. Further, the composition begins to crumble, because of which characteristic flakes are formed in the system, preventing normal heat dissipation.
It is already red.It is a more modern type of coolant. Contains completely organic additives and carboxylic acid in large quantities. The composition forms a thin protective film of 1 micron, while the characteristics of the heat sink it is better than that of green. Also among the advantages worth noting:
Also note that the red antifreeze performance is slightly better. The liquid boils at a temperature 5 degrees higher than G11. Resource coolant is 5 years or 150 thousand kilometers.
Among the minuses - poor protection of aluminum radiators and a higher price.
This species appeared on the market relativelyrecently in 2012. This is usually purple or yellow antifreeze. Ethylene glycol is absent. Instead, it was applied completely safe for the environment propylene glycol. Additives - silicate compounds and a mixture of carboxylic acid. What are the characteristics of yellow antifreeze? The freezing temperature is up to -53 degrees Celsius. Boils coolant at 1111 degrees. It is rarely used in Russia, because it has an unrealistically high price. One liter of coolant G13 costs as much as five liters of G12.
What antifreeze is better? Do they have flaws? Rating manufacturers of antifreeze below.
This product is manufactured by a Russian company."Obninskorgsintez" technology using only organic additives. Nitrates, silicates and other inorganic additives are absent. Suitable for both aluminum radiators and copper. Interferes with development of corrosion processes, protects from freezing and overheating. The boiling point is +109 degrees. The product crystallizes at -41. “Syntex Lux G12” is officially used by AvtoVAZ for new Vesta cars. Among the advantages of reviews say:
Disadvantages per se not detected. Answering the question, which antifreeze is better, it is quite possible to recommend "Syntex Lux" for purchase.
This antifreeze is officially recognized as the best forcars older than 10 years. The cost of a five-liter canister is 700 rubles. Felix Carbox is the product of Tosol-Sintez-Invest LLC. Used for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The coolant is suitable for turbocharged and other heavily loaded engines. It can be used in severe climatic conditions. Freezing point -45 degrees Celsius. Boils a liquid at +109. Resource of operation - 5 years or 250 thousand kilometers. Among the advantages of reviews say:
Among the disadvantages - coolant crystallizes at a higher temperature, which is allowed by the technical regulations (-40 degrees).
This is another company product.Tosol-Sintez-Invest. The cost is slightly lower than the previous version - 650 rubles per five liters. As the manufacturer notes, this antifreeze has an enhanced additive package, which allows you to increase the interval for replacing the fluid. The product complies with the national American standard SAE J 1034. Among the advantages reviews indicate:
Among the shortcomings - high boiling point. Instead of the +109 declared, the liquid boils at 106 degrees according to the research done. For the rest, no cons.
This antifreeze is designed specifically foraluminum radiators. Contains all necessary additives that provide protection against corrosion. It does not contain amines, silicates and nitrites. The product is approved by dozens of leading automakers. The freezing temperature of the diluted concentrate is -40 degrees. Boils a liquid at +109 degrees. The cost of the product is 1900 rubles for a five-liter canister. Among the main advantages of this coolant reviews note:
Among the cons reviews highlight the high cost. There are a number of other analogues on the market that are cheaper.
This economy class antifreeze.Perhaps the cheapest among competitors. The cost of a five-liter canister - 540 rubles. This fluid can be poured into any car without additional flushing of the system, as well as topped up with any antifreeze class G11 and G12. The service life declared by the manufacturer is 2 years. As part of a package of additives Corrosion Inhibitor BSB, which is supplied by the Belgian company Arteco. These components protect the system from corrosion, prevent foaming of the liquid and swelling of the rubber pipes. According to studies, the freezing temperature was -42 degrees. Boils a liquid at +109.6 degrees. Among the advantages of reviews say:
Among the shortcomings - a short life.It is also worth noting the overestimated indicator of foam stability, which was manifested in the course of research. In general, Kul Stream Optima is a fairly high-quality antifreeze that can be used both in foreign cars and in domestic cars. What antifreeze is better? If you have a small budget and want to get antifreeze with good characteristics, it is worth considering this product to purchase.
So, we found out which antifreeze can be pouredand reviewed the most popular brands. The market leaders are Sintex and Felix products. Can I mix antifreeze? According to experts, it is possible to mix fluids of class G11 and G12 with each other, in different proportions. However, these activities can not be carried out with liquid G13, which is often used in cars of concern VAG. It has a radically different composition (as noted at the beginning of the article, this is propylene glycol and a special additive package), and it is quite dangerous to mix such antifreeze with a product of another group.
