The purpose of adding coolant: anti- rust and boiling, lubrication is the main point

Whether European cars, Japanese cars, or other types of engine cooling system, among the most essential part is the "water" because water can absorb heat inside the engine. It will cool the tank through the cooling fins, and constant recycling in it. So owners do not have to re-add each time while driving car. Even for the best cooling system, or any bigger water tank, once the water is not enough, the cooling tank is unable to function as well. In addition, water provides stability and the advantages of easily obtained.

Any good performance vehicle still needs cooling system. The engine will work properly under an effective cooling system. Therefore cooling water is the most important role.

Since water has so many advantages, why people need to add coolant in water tank? Here we have to explain the disadvantages of pure water, one of which is the low boiling point. I believe most people know the boiling point of water at normal atmospheric environment at about 100 ℃, which will start to boil over vaporization. But this temperature compared to the number of engines that under operating temperature, is clearly much lower. So many car manufacturers try to control the cooling water temperature within 100 ℃, but sometimes traffic jam and variety of climbing and other driving condition are more than the cooling capacity of the cooling system. That leaves the water temperature exceeds 100 degrees more than its limit. The boiling water leads to generate bubbles, impede water flow rate and reduce the efficiency of the cooling system, and severe cases can cause condensation cylinder engine fault. But as long as people add in coolant, these problems can be refined, and boiling point will be elevated to 115 to 120 degrees. The coolant is not easy to vaporize or form bubbles, and this is one of the reasons why cars need coolant.

By adding coolant, it can improve the boiling point of water, and reduce water tank corrosion, helping water pump lubrication. It provides great help to cooling systems.

Also, another purpose for adding coolant is to prevent corrosion of the metal tank. Since the metal and water exposed to the air, will produce an oxidation reaction caused by corrosion phenomenon. Once the situation is too serious, rust, light blocking waterways, heavy tank rupture will be caused. In addition to the coolant as the cooling medium, by adding certain percentage of coolant essence, will slow down the corrosion of the tank case.

Except for the two functions mentioned above, coolant can provide cleaning and lubricating function. Since majority of the owners are not add in pure water, but tap water or groundwater, these non-pure water quality under heating, usually produces the bottom as the thermos-like scale, thereby blocking cooling tank small waterways. At this point if users can add in coolant, it can reduce the scale of production. Also, because the flow of cooling water is rely on water pumped driven, and the water pump needs be lubricated. In order to reduce mechanical friction and prolong its life, the coolant is hereby to provide this functionality.

The water tank without using coolant, usually will result to corrosion and leakage. If the owner do not detect it earlier until the cooling water has leaked out, the engine cannot abstract heat, and will easily lead to shrink tank.

The myth of using coolant:

1. Glycol concentrations could be as high as possible?

No! Since the cooling system needs to function properly, it requires a lot of water. The glycol is as auxiliary in cooling water, which cannot be completely replaced by high concentrations. The high concentrations will not damage the material, but the flow efficiency is not good, and it will affect the heat efficiency. Generally the proportion of ethylene glycol and pure water in about 60 to 30% is more appropriate, but still must be in accordance with the original specification, to determine the most suitable concentration for each car.

The main ingredient of coolant is ethylene glycol, the higher concentration the higher boiling point. But it can’t use with 100% concentration, the cars still need to rely on some water to take the heat out. The ratio may refer to the manufacturer’s direction. Most scientific way of identifying the proportion is by using the meter to test. Facial’s coolant products contain high proportion of glycol concentrations, also meet the requirements of original concentration specified. 

2. Is there a so-called oil coolant?

In general, coolant is a water-soluble property. Early use of coolant is pure water plus corrosion prevent additives to stop the corrosion inside the tank. But now all coolant products are made with alcohol as foundation. The touching feeling is slippery, so people think it’s made by oil, in fact, this is wrong. The slippery feeling depends on the proportion of concentration of ethylene glycol, or simply use pigment as additives. So there’s no so-called oil coolant. 

Monthly check the water level of coolant. It can define whether there is leakage or not to ensure the traffic safety as earlier as possible.

3. Will color affect concentration of ethylene glycol?

Glycol itself is transparent and colorless, but manufacturers add color pigment in coolant. The purpose is to help owner or technician find out the leakage problems, so it cannot be used on determining the concentration of glycol. The concentration proportion can only be tested by professional measurement. 

Coolant colors are made by adding pigments. The purpose is to check for leaks only and doesn’t represent the quality from color.