Why is a fake car antifreeze dangerous, and how to detect it? Antifreeze Felix - brand fame or high-quality engine protection? What is a quality coolant.

It boils and freezes earlier than expected and can significantly damage the elements of the car's cooling system. In particular, lead to corrosion of the internal surfaces of the radiator, tubes, water pump impeller, cylinder block, damage to the rubber joints of the system. Because of this, the functioning of the listed nodes is deteriorating, and their resource is significantly reduced up to complete failure. Another trouble that the use of fake antifreeze can lead to is that the coolant quickly crystallizes in frosty weather (for example, at -5 ° C instead of the prescribed -40 ° C ... -30 ° C) or vice versa quickly boils (for example, at a temperature of +80°…+90°С). Thus, the purchase of high-quality antifreeze will protect the car owner from the occurrence of the problems listed above.

What should be antifreeze

First you need to deal with the question of what the coolant should be, the boiling point of antifreeze and its other characteristics. This will enable the car owner to compare the fake antifreeze with the original. There is a state standard GOST 28084-89, developed back in 1989, but still relevant, which clearly spells out the technical characteristics of antifreeze.

Data from the state standard are given in the table.

Name of indicator	Norm according to GOST 28084-89
Appearance	Transparent homogeneous colored liquid without mechanical impurities
Density, g/cm³, at +20°С, within	1,065-1,085
Crystallization start temperature, °С, not higher	minus 40
Fractional data: - distillation start temperature, °С, not lower	100
	50
Corrosive effect on metals, g/m² day, not more than: - copper, brass, steel, cast iron, aluminum - solder	0,1
	0,2
Foaming ability: - foam volume, cm³, max - foam stability, s, max	30
	3
Rubber swelling, %, no more	5
Hydrogen index (pH), within	7,5-11,0
Alkalinity, cm³, not less	10

An interesting feature of antifreeze is the fact that it is possible to lower its freezing point. In particular, this is true for the Arctic regions, where temperatures can drop to -60°C or even lower. This is the ratio of ethylene glycol and water in the coolant. By the way, in this way you can check the originality of antifreeze, but this will be discussed below.

The dependence of the concentration of ethylene glycol on the crystallization temperature of antifreeze
Ethylene glycol concentration, %	Density of antifreeze, g/cm³	Crystallization temperature, °C
97,8	1,112	-20
93,0	1,110	-30
85,4	1,104	-40
78,4	1,098	-50
72,1	1,092	-60
65,3	1,086	-65
63,1	1,083	-60
58,0	1,078	-50
52,6	1,071	-40
45,6	1,063	-30
36,4	1,051	-20
26,4	1,034	-10

Always pay attention to the date of manufacture of antifreeze. The period of its warranty storage is no more than five years (although until 1992 the same period was only 3 years, so it is still recommended to buy a more “fresh” product).

Previously, there were two typical brands of antifreeze A-40 (blue) and A-65 (red). The temperature of their crystallization is respectively -40°C and -65°C. Naturally, the A-40 was more common. Now the choice is much larger and the color range is wider, but this does not affect the freezing or boiling point.

As for the boiling point of antifreeze, it depends on two factors - the content of the concentrate in the antifreeze (in percent) and the density of the antifreeze at a temperature of + 20 ° C (although these are two interdependent values). You can see the exact information on the freezing and boiling points of antifreeze on the graph below. It is worth noting that many popular and not so popular coolant manufacturers currently adhere to density 1.071 g/cm³. This value corresponds to a freezing point of -35°C, while the boiling point of antifreeze is about +106°C.

Pay attention to an interesting fact known from the school thermodynamics course. Yes, at increased pressure in the system, the boiling point of the liquid increases, and crystallization - decreases. Accordingly, in order for the antifreeze to remain in the form of a liquid and to fully remove heat from the power unit, it is necessary to maintain the cooling system in a sealed state.

Signs of fake antifreeze

If you have suspicions that you bought low-quality antifreeze, then they can be supported by the following signs:

1. With a slight frost (about -15 ° C ... 10 ° C), a jelly-like mass forms on the inside of the neck of the expansion tank of the cooling system. In some cases, this will cause sediment to form and may even turn on the cooling fan. The listed signs indicate either poor-quality antifreeze, which quickly lost its properties, or that it is high time to change it.
2. Antifreeze quickly changed its color to dark (brown, brown, "rusty"). Similar arguments are valid here. The liquid has lost its properties due to poor-quality composition or already from old age.
3. Antifreeze boils in the expansion tank. This is a direct consequence of the fact that its boiling point is much lower than that required by GOST.
4. The appearance of foam in the cooling system. The formation of foam is caused by a physical phenomenon called cavitation (the formation of bubbles in a liquid whose temperature is close to boiling). Cavitation is dangerous because over time it is very harmful to the metal, literally destroying it piece by piece (the so-called cavitation chipping of the metal).
5. Regular even with minor loads. This will be signaled by the corresponding light on the dashboard. This can result in loss of engine power and increased fuel consumption.
6. If there is a lot of water in poor low-quality antifreeze, then water vapor will etch from under the cap of the expansion tank. At the same time, there will be no smell of oil products.
7. Antifreeze with a large amount of water is odorless and has a watery consistency (its qualitative composition is a bit like soap and gives off a sweet taste). You can try it by touch or by carefully examining its smudges.

Remember that the signs of low-quality antifreeze listed here can also be the result of breakdowns of some other mechanisms and components of the car. So check them out too.

The consequences of using bad antifreeze

It is strongly discouraged to use low-quality and / or simply fake antifreeze. This can lead to such unfortunate consequences:

The consequences of pouring bad antifreeze

1. The appearance of cracks in the elements of the cooling system (tubes, pipes, radiator) due to the fact that the coolant freezes at a temperature when it should not freeze yet.
2. The acids that are used in counterfeit antifreezes instead of ethylene glycol corrode the inner surface of not only the elements of the cooling system, but also the engine itself. And this naturally leads to a decrease in their service life.
3. With a long stay of low-quality antifreeze in the cooling system, situations are possible when the liquid has eaten cracks or a hole in the rubber and even metal elements of the system. Naturally, this will lead to the inoperability of the cooling system. In turn, there is a risk of failure of the entire engine with subsequent costly repairs.
4. Some counterfeit antifreezes contain methanol. It is not only harmful to the inner surface of the elements of the cooling system, but also just a fire hazard! Therefore, there is a risk of its ignition with a significant increase in temperature, especially in summer.
5. Contamination of the inner surface of the radiator, which leads to a decrease in its efficiency, as well as a decrease in the working life.
6. Due to the fact that the cooling system is clogged from the inside, the water pump, the pump that distills the coolant, works with increased efficiency. It also has a bad effect on it, because of which the pump may fail prematurely.
7. Even in slight frosts, when the antifreeze does not completely freeze, water is released from it over time, which gradually corrodes the inner surfaces of the radiator and cooling system pipes. This, among other things, can lead to the failure of the thermostat and the salon stove.

Thus, the consequences of using a fake can be very sad, and the repairs performed after that can be expensive. Therefore, when a fact is revealed when low-quality coolant is already poured into the system, you do not need to try to an existing one. Instead, it is necessary to flush the cooling system and fill in high-quality liquid.

How to determine the quality of antifreeze

Many motorists are interested in the question of how to determine that antifreeze is bad? To check the coolant for quality, you can use the following methods:

Checking the density of antifreeze with a hydrometer

One of the most popular ways to check antifreeze is revealing its density. This is done using a special device - a hydrometer. However, it should be noted that the method does not give a 100% guarantee of the correct result. The fact is that unscrupulous counterfeit manufacturers also know about this verification method, and artificially adjust the density value to the desired parameters. This is done with the help of acids, sugar or salts. They are used in place of the ethylene glycol or propylene glycol mentioned above.

Interestingly, in such cases, the technical parameters of the liquid at first will correspond to the original ones. However, after one or two weeks (or maybe earlier), these properties will be lost, and the coolant will freeze at low temperatures, boil early in the engine’s operating mode and simply “kill” the cooling system and the engine.

How to measure the density of antifreeze with a hydrometer

Good option to check using litmus paper. As you know, it can change its color from pink (low pH) to blue (high pH). The best option would be to color litmus paper green. This indicates that the acid-base balance of antifreeze is within the normal range, namely from 7 to 9. Otherwise (if the color is pink or blue), it is better to refrain from buying.

Another interesting experiment can be done with soda. Some cheap antifreezes contain acid, including sulfuric acid. Accordingly, if a certain amount of soda is thrown into a test small volume, then a violent short reaction will occur with the release of gas (bubbles on the surface of the liquid) and sediment. If you have witnessed such a phenomenon, it means that there is acid in the antifreeze, and it is better to refuse such a coolant.

Such a simple diagnostic method makes it possible to identify fake antifreezes based on cheap acids, of which the vast majority are fakes.

Checking antifreeze with litmus paper

Another option for checking the coolant is test freeze a small amount (pour into a jar or bottle). However, for this it is necessary to have a powerful freezer available, capable of lowering the air temperature to -40 ° C ... -35 ° C. Traditional freezers of household refrigerators can also be used (they give out approximately -20 ° C ... -15 ° C), but it is necessary to slightly dilute the antifreeze in accordance with the table and graph above. But in the simplest case, you can simply put antifreeze in the freezer at a temperature of -20 ° C and below (turn the minimum allowable temperature in it for several hours, for example, to -24 ° C, however do not forget to return it to its original position later!). If the antifreeze is an outright fake, then in a few hours it crystallizes.

similar the procedure can be performed with heating. However, for this you need to have a professional thermometer that would show the temperature of the liquid over a hundred degrees Celsius. The procedure is very simple, a small amount of antifreeze is poured into a metal dish, a thermometer is installed there and placed on the burner of a gas or electric stove. Accordingly, it is necessary to fix the temperature at which the cavitation process and the active phase of seething (boiling) begin in the antifreeze. Recall that at atmospheric pressure, the boiling point of antifreeze should not be lower than 106-108 degrees.

Also, when heated, you can use the combustion test to check for the presence of methanol in the antifreeze. However, this must be done carefully, in compliance with fire safety rules, and preferably in laboratory conditions or on the street (not at home and not indoors)! When heated, methanol vapor will be released, which can be ignited directly above the test vessel. If they are, there will be a bright ignition. Ethylene glycol is replaced with methanol, since it is cheaper, but it is flammable and has a low boiling point - +64.7 degrees (unlike ethylene glycol, whose boiling point is +197.6 degrees). That is, respectively, the tested sample of antifreeze will boil already at 70-80 degrees.

High-quality antifreeze or antifreeze there should be no characteristic smell of petroleum products(gasoline, lubricants, oils). It makes sense to check the reaction of antifreeze with hard water. To do this, pour a small amount of the product and mix it with tap water. If, as a result of a chemical reaction, a cloudiness has formed or a precipitate has formed, you have a fake or low-quality product in front of you.

When buying, it will not be superfluous and check the tightness of the canister with coolant. To do this, just squeeze it a little and listen. If air comes out from under the lid or its upper part, then this is 100% fake. At the same time, the liquid must have lost its properties, since it was in direct contact with the outside air for a long time.

Remember that a complete check of the chemical composition of a particular antifreeze can only be carried out in laboratory conditions using the appropriate equipment. Therefore, do not immediately fill in the purchased antifreeze, but open the canister and carry out the experiments described above. Next, let it stand in a closed vessel (canister) for about two weeks and recheck. If the antifreeze is initially bad, this time will be enough for it for the technical characteristics of the antifreeze to deteriorate. If they are in order, you can pour it into the car.

How to buy real antifreeze

Recommendations for buying original high-quality antifreeze, regardless of its manufacturer, come down to similar considerations for purchasing another product. First of all, you need to decide on the brand. It is best to choose a coolant from the middle or higher price range. Cheap antifreezes usually do not differ in quality. From reviews on the Internet and other materials, you can find out about the quality of a particular antifreeze.

Which antifreeze to choose

Do you know what affects the choice of antifreeze, its color (red, green, etc.) and the manufacturer? But the service life of it and the cooling system depends on it. Choose the one recommended by the manufacturer

Further, it makes sense to decide on a store or trading platform where the likelihood of buying counterfeit goods is minimized. Choose well-known stores specializing in branded modern spare parts, consumables, auto chemicals. They must have all permits for the right to trade. Antifreeze packaging must have a tightly sealed lid. Some manufacturers seal it with a special seal. On the body of the canister, you can often find a hologram or other security sign (each manufacturer implements this differently, so it’s better to clarify this nuance before buying).

The label on the canister must be of high quality, the barcode and the inscriptions on it should be even. The information must be of a technical nature. Well, if the canister is translucent. If a precipitate is visible in the liquid, then you should refrain from buying! If you shake the canister with coolant ready for filling, then foam should settle in 2...3 seconds. If it is a concentrate, then in five ... six. A good sign is the presence membranes under the canister cap.

Many car owners and craftsmen do not recommend buying diluted antifreeze, which is already ready for direct pouring into the cooling system. Instead, they suggest buying an antifreeze concentrate, and diluting it with water in the appropriate proportions yourself. This is due to the fact that there are many fakes in ready-made solutions of technical antifreeze.

How to make antifreeze

If you bought a fake antifreeze, and at the moment you do not have the opportunity to replace it with a good factory coolant, but there are all the components according to the recipe (4 main ingredients are included), then you can make it yourself. However, remember that before pouring new antifreeze, the cooling system must be flushed from the old fake composition.

In order to make antifreeze yourself, you will need:

1. Isopropyl alcohol.
2. Washing powder.
3. Plain or distilled water.
4. Ethylene glycol.
5. Any flavoring, for example, essential oil (optional).

Please note that ethylene glycol is quite toxic, so you need to work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and wear personal protective equipment. You can replace ethylene glycol with propylene glycol. He's safer.

The recipe for making antifreeze in this case will be as follows:

1. To obtain a solution that will not freeze to a temperature of -30 ° C, it is necessary to take two equal volumes of water and one volume of alcohol (for example, two liters of water and one liter of alcohol). Please note that other amounts of alcohol can be used according to the table above.
2. Add ethylene glycol. It is believed that 15 cm³ of this remedy is needed for every degree below zero. Accordingly, for a temperature of -30 ° C, 450 ml of ethylene glycol will be needed.
3. Add a little washing powder (about a tablespoon) and fragrance to the solution so that it removes the alcohol smell.

Another option for making homemade antifreeze is to use glycerin. In particular, you will need:

1. 30% of the volume of water.
2. 70% by volume glycerin.

These two components are mixed together, resulting in a coolant with a crystallization temperature of -40°C. However, please note that the resulting composition is very viscous, so its movement in the system is associated with increased pump wear. Accordingly, this composition Use only as a last resort or not at all! It is according to such recipes that fake bad antifreeze is made, which does not meet any technical requirements and characteristics.

Some motorists who are disappointed in purchased technical antifreezes use home-made compounds on an ongoing basis. However, you must be aware that their composition is still not ideal, and can harm the car's cooling system. And if the car is old enough and you won’t “surprise” it with such tricks (for example, a VAZ-classic), then this option is more or less acceptable. But if the car is new, and even more expensive enough, then it is better to use antifreezes recommended by the car manufacturer.

Last for decades. Some argue that antifreeze approved by VAG is better, others prove that GM coolant is unrivaled, others prove that Antifreeze is the most useful. Everyone considers the stories of the type to be the main argument why this or that antifreeze is better - my friend filled in red, blue, green antifreeze from such and such a manufacturer, and the next year it came to flush the cooling system or change the engine. And few people think that it is important not only to know which antifreeze to fill in, but also to be able to distinguish it from a fake.

Why is it important to use quality antifreeze?

During the operation of an internal combustion engine, a huge amount of heat is released. Part of it heats the walls of the combustion chamber, about half exits with exhaust gases, and the rest enters the radiator through the channels of the cooling system and escapes into the atmosphere. Therefore, a large number of factors affect the liquid in the cooling system. Firstly, the high temperature, which even with high-quality cooling reaches 102-105 degrees Celsius. Secondly, the pump impeller, rotating at high speed, not only drives the coolant through the channels, but also foams it. The lower the foaming resistance, the more vapor bubbles appear in the composition of the liquid. Each of these bubbles negatively affects the transfer of heat from the walls of the channels to the coolant.

How low-quality antifreeze affects the motor

Any high-quality antifreeze is a mixture of various substances: water, ethylene glycol (sometimes propylene glycol), corrosion inhibitors and additives that improve the properties of the liquid. The composition of high-quality Russian and foreign antifreeze is carefully selected to ensure operation in difficult conditions and reduce the negative impact on the engine. If the antifreeze is made in violation of technology, then many parameters improve. If the boiling point decreases (this often happens with antifreezes based on glycerin and methyl alcohol), then the thermal regime of the engine is disturbed. This leads to overheating, damage to the valve stem seals, the appearance of cracks in the oil, a rapid decrease in oil life and an increase in wear of all rubbing parts.

Often, a violation of technology leads to a sharp increase in antifreeze foaming, as a result of which the motor overheats. If corrosion inhibitors are not properly selected, then antifreeze begins to corrode the walls of the channels of the cooling system. If this happens in a thin-walled aluminum block, then after 30-70 thousand kilometers the engine will have to be changed. Often, low-quality antifreezes turn into a thick slurry of an incomprehensible color, which is unable to cool the engine normally. Another problem of low-quality coolants is the precipitation that clogs the channels of the cooling system. As a result, the motor overheats.

What is quality coolant

Each country has its own documents that determine the quality of antifreeze. In Russia, these are GOST 28084-89, the federal law on consumer protection and a certificate of conformity issued by the federal agency for technical regulation and metrology. These documents spell out the main qualities of antifreeze and the way it is labeled. Despite the fact that this GOST came from the USSR, the requirements for coolants prescribed in it are still relevant today. The certificate of conformity confirms that the antifreeze has passed all the necessary tests and fully complies with both GOST 28084-89 and other standards referred to by the manufacturer.

If the manufacturer officially produces antifreeze in Russia or legally supplies it from abroad, then it complies with the requirements of the consumer protection law and GOST 28084-89. If the antifreeze is of good quality, then it passes tests at the agency without any problems and receives a certificate of the established sample. If it is not issued in accordance with GOST 28084-89 or the law on consumer protection, this only says one thing - the manufacturer either produces it illegally or the supplier could not sell it in another country and imported it to Russia, hoping to sell it here. The characteristics of such antifreeze do not correspond to either GOST 28084-89 or other standards that the manufacturer indicates on the label. Therefore, no one knows how such a coolant will behave in the engine.

The label must indicate:

• type of coolant according to GOST 28084-89;
• freezing point;
• boiling temperature;
• compliance with standards (GOST, SAE, ISO and others);
• Date of issue; best before date; name and address of the manufacturer;
• address and phone number for claims.

GOST 28084-89 provides only three types of antifreeze liquids for vehicle cooling systems:

1. OZH-K- concentrate, which must first be diluted with water;
2. OZH-40- antifreeze, the temperature of the onset of crystallization of which does not exceed minus 40 degrees;
3. OZH-65- antifreeze, the temperature of the onset of crystallization of which does not exceed minus 65 degrees.

When buying antifreeze, be sure to ask the seller to show you a certificate of conformity. Not a single manufacturer or supplier who legally operates in Russia will neglect this document. Also, don't forget to check the labels. Remember, if the label says approved by VAG, GM or other recognized leaders in the automotive industry, but there is no certificate of conformity and the label is not formatted as described above, you have a fake. Therefore, inexpensive antifreeze, which is designed in accordance with the law on consumer protection and GOST 28084-89, will be more useful for the engine than expensive "branded" antifreeze of unknown production. This fully applies to both antifreeze in plastic containers, which you can buy at any auto shop, and coolant in metal barrels, which can be purchased at large dealerships and auto repair shops.

All owners of Toyota cars sooner or later face the question of choice. The modern market offers many effective and high-quality solutions to these problems, but not every driver can make the right choice.

The best option in such cases is Toyota antifreeze, because the automaker knows exactly what his offspring needs and offers only the best.

Description of antifreeze Toyota

Original antifreeze for Toyota is made on the basis of environmentally friendly and safe polypropylene glycol and effective, carefully balanced additive packages. When creating these coolants, manufacturers paid special attention to corrosion protection - powerful inhibitors were used in the composition.

On the modern European market, you can find two types of branded coolants: Toyota Long Life Coolant and Toyota Super Long Life Coolant.

Currently, most of the automaker's models use antifreeze of the last of the indicated brands.

Both antifreezes are supplied ready for use (in proportion with water 50/50), and in the form of concentrates, which must be diluted with water before use. For normal operating conditions at temperatures down to -40 °C, water is added on a one-to-one basis.

Depending on the minimum temperature at which the car is to be operated, the proportions of the concentrate in water can vary from 33 to 70%.

When diluting the concentrate with water, you can use distilled, and even better, deionized water. In extreme cases, you can use tap water. It is strongly not recommended to take water from open reservoirs or wells for cooking.

The tests and tests carried out have shown that both Toyota coolants meet the requirements of not only Japanese, but also leading European, Asian and American manufacturers. Reviews received from car owners and drivers confirm this.

Toyota Long Life Coolant

Toyota Long Life Coolant (LLC) is a red formulation based on propylene glycol, functional additives and a corrosion inhibitor. It is designed for engines of both cars and trucks.

Antifreeze of this brand is characterized by high heat dissipation properties, perfectly lubricates and protects the engine cooling system from wear and corrosion.

Toyota Long Life Coolant antifreeze is supplied to Russia in the following packages:

1 l - article 08889-80015

4 l - article 08889-80032

5 l - article 08889-80014

60 l - article 08889-80017

Toyota Super Long Life Coolant

Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC) is used for filling on the conveyor. It is also used for further replacement. It is applied to any modern engines of cars and trucks.

In the manufacture of this pink antifreeze, carboxylate technology (additives based on organic acids) is used. Polypropylene glycol is used as a cooling base. The composition of antifreeze does not contain nitrates, silicates and other components that form deposits in the system, thereby reducing the efficiency of heat transfer.

This fluid not only helps maintain normal thermal operating conditions of the engine, but also perfectly prevents cavitation and foam formation.

Toyota Antifreeze (SLLC) is available in the following packages X:

2 l - article 08889-80070

4 l - article 08889-80071

5 l - article 08889-80072

How often should Toyota antifreeze be replaced?

Toyota Long Life Coolant antifreeze is recommended to be replaced every 40,000 km or according to the service life - after the factory one in three years, in the future - every 2 years.

The manufacturer recommends the first replacement of Toyota Super Long Life Coolant antifreeze after 160,000 km of run, and then every 80,000 km. Based on the service life, the manufacturer claims that this fluid must be replaced every 5 years.

During the operation of Toyota vehicles, various situations may arise when the coolant must be changed earlier than the specified time.

For example, if you bought a used car and don’t know what kind of antifreeze is poured into the cooling system, then when its level in the expansion tank drops, you should not add liquid of the same color there. It is better to make a complete replacement, regardless of mileage or service life. This will save you a lot of problems - antifreezes of different chemical compositions, when mixed, can cause precipitation, lose or reduce cooling, protective and lubricating properties.

How do you know when it's time to replace?

In order to timely replace antifreeze in Toyota cars, it is necessary to adhere to several rules, which, however, are valid for vehicles of any manufacturer and any brand.

Secondly, it is advisable to completely update the antifreeze when buying a used car, if it is not known exactly what liquid is filled in it.

Thirdly, it is necessary to periodically monitor the liquid level in the expansion tank. When adding any liquid of a different composition to it, it is necessary to flush and completely replace the antifreeze as soon as possible.

Fourthly, the appearance of the liquid poured into the system should be controlled. Its pollution, loss of transparency or discoloration indicate a decrease or complete loss of working properties. In this case, it is also necessary to replace the antifreeze.

Is it possible to mix different antifreezes?

Different brands, colors? Is it possible to dilute one antifreeze with a liquid of another brand of the same manufacturer? Will a mixture of different antifreezes of the same color damage the engine?

These questions concern almost every car owner and driver.

The answer to these questions is simple - without any harm to the car, you can only mix antifreezes of the same chemical composition.

If both liquids are made on polypropylene glycol using the same additive packages, then they can be mixed regardless of what color dye is added to them.

Most often, we do not know the exact composition, so it is better not to risk it. Additives that differ in their chemical composition can react with each other, causing deposits in the system, reducing certain performance properties that are required from antifreeze specifically for your car model.

As for Toyota antifreezes, the manufacturer categorically does not recommend mixing liquids of the Toyota Super Long Life Coolant and Toyota Long Life Coolant brands with each other, because they use additives of different composition.

How to distinguish a fake?

The prices for Japanese antifreezes for Toyota cars are far from the lowest.

These are high-quality fluids that provide long-term trouble-free operation of the engine and help maintain the cooling system in perfect condition.

Like any hot commodity, Toyota antifreezes are often the object of falsification and counterfeiting.

In order to protect yourself and your car as much as possible from acquiring a fake and not fall for the bait of scammers, you must follow a few simple rules:

• The date of issue and (or) the date of bottling must be indicated on the packaging
• Before buying, carefully inspect the canister for defects
• Check the quality of packaging and labeling - labels must be glued evenly, without distortions, over the entire surface. There must be no traces of glue or opening of the package on the canister
• Purchase antifreeze only at trusted points, from authorized representatives or large specialized stores
• Be sure to make sure that all the inscriptions on the label are clear, the lines are even, there are no errors in the text
• Purchased liquids should be clear, without sediment. Toyota Super Long Life Coolant should be pink and Toyota Long Life Coolant should be red

If you find a discrepancy in at least one item - with a high degree of probability you have a fake.

Unfortunately, fake antifreeze is still found on the shelves of stores in our vast Motherland. It would be nice if manufacturers of fakes poured just tinted water into canisters, but no, all kinds of chemicals interfere from the heart.

Why is fake antifreeze dangerous? Alas, these mixtures can easily corrode the cylinder head or make several holes in the radiator. Imagine what would happen if a person had a holey heart ... That's about the same with a car.

So, let's move on to a specific question: how to buy real antifreeze? In fact, it is not difficult, you need to know only a few properties of a real coolant. Here they are:

Real antifreeze tastes slightly sweet. If you are afraid to try it on the tongue (which is quite logical), then try it by touch. If the purchased liquid lathers slightly between your fingers, then you are incredibly lucky - you have purchased the original

Try boiling some of the suspect liquid. Either in a spoon, if you don't mind, or in a small tin can. Do you smell ammonia? It's a pity - you slipped a fake. Real antifreeze does not smell when boiling!

The third way to check for authenticity is salting. Take an aluminum container, pour antifreeze into it and throw in some salt. If sediment falls to the bottom, then you bought blue vitriol. Fraudsters used to indulge in this way, but now such cases are extremely rare.

Another way is to check the density with a hydrometer. You can do this right in the store, and give the fake back if it is found.

The last method is simple and reliable. Pour a little liquid from the purchased canister into a small glass and place it all in the freezer overnight. If in the morning it turns out that the liquid is frozen, then they slipped you something completely different from what they promised.

Increasingly in recent years, motorists have begun to complain about coolant manufacturers, as they have to deal with low-quality products. According to statistics, today about 40% of all antifreezes on the market are counterfeit, covered only by pretty packaging. Unfortunately, the use of such a liquid can only lead to negative consequences. Therefore, we will devote today's article to how to check antifreeze or antifreeze for quality even at the time of purchase.

What is the danger to the car is low-quality coolant?

First of all, a high-quality coolant must have a certain density, and also include a large set of additives in its composition. All this is necessary in order for the antifreeze to retain its properties at negative and very high temperatures. In addition, the presence of special additives during freezing allows the antifreeze to crystallize, turning it into a jelly-like state.

Thanks to these features, antifreeze does not expand, and thus, when freezing, it does not damage the lines of the car's cooling system. It is clear that if, instead of a high-quality liquid, a fake, consisting almost only of water, gets into the system, when it freezes, it will expand and destroy all the elements available to it. Wherein freezing will begin even when the temperature reaches 0˚С.

What are the consequences of not checking the quality of antifreeze? During the operation of low-quality fluid, the following may fail:

1. Radiator channels that can simply break into small fragments. At best, they will only crack, although in both cases they will have to be replaced.

2. A water pump through which fluid passes.

3. The engine block, for which antifreeze is used to cool.

IMPORTANT!The use of low-quality counterfeit antifreeze can damage the car engine. Check the products you buy carefully!

It is worth noting that even if ethylene glycol is present in the falsified antifreeze, and when it freezes it will not expand so much, the absence of anti-corrosion elements in it can lead to no less sad consequences. Often, when using such an aggressive liquid without special protection for metal parts of the engine, it leads to the fact that the power unit cannot withstand even one season of operation on such a coolant.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to check antifreeze for quality in terms of the presence of anti-corrosion additives in its composition. Checking and quality control of antifreeze for this parameter should be carried out at the production stage, but not all manufacturers are worried about this. In this regard, for each car owner, the question becomes relevant: how to check the quality of antifreeze at the stage of purchase? Fortunately, you can determine the level of freezing of antifreeze even at home and without special knowledge.

What are the nuances you need to pay attention to when buying antifreeze?

Going to the store for antifreeze, you should be prepared for the fact that sellers will begin to impose on you a product that is not entirely known and far from being of high quality. Therefore, it is better to ask all your friends in advance what kind of antifreeze they use, and which one they really trust.

It will also be useful to study the messages on the forums dedicated specifically to your car model. Surely there you will be able to find advice on which antifreeze is best for your "iron horse".

What can liquid packaging tell you?

If people are usually greeted by their clothes, then antifreeze is, of course, by its packaging. How to check antifreeze for quality by how expensive the manufacturer packed it? Indeed, famous manufacturers who care about the quality of their products will not pour liquid into cheap and fragile bottles. Therefore, before buying, take a bottle of liquid in your hand and twist it in the air, inspect for drips.

But most of the information you, of course, can get on the label. It should indicate both the density of the liquid and the temperature at which it freezes. Antifreeze packaging should also contain barcodes and membranes as identification marks.

IMPORTANT! To inspire confidence among buyers, manufacturers place the maximum possible amount of useful information on the product label. Very often, on packages with antifreeze, you can even find a list of car models for which it is intended.

What does coolant color mean?

In the USSR, only two primary colors were used in the production of antifreeze - blue and red. They indicated to customers at what temperature the liquid freezes: blue antifreeze froze already at -40˚С, while red could withstand everything -65˚С, for which he was very much appreciated by the owners of VAZ cars. Today, this criterion for assessing the quality of a coolant is not always decisive, since dye can be poured into the liquid both in specialized production and in handicraft.

But still, experienced motorists are advised to choose antifreeze that has a blue or slightly greenish color. However, it is still worth looking at its main characteristics very carefully.

How to check antifreeze for quality: basic methods

If, according to the color, and according to the description on the package, and according to the reviews of other motorists, you still bought antifreeze, it would be useful to arrange one more additional check for him at home. To be more precise, there can be a lot of such checks. We describe each of them for you in more detail.

How to check the quality of antifreeze with litmus paper?

Litmus as an indicator of an acidic environment has been known to us since the lessons of chemistry, the knowledge from which we finally had the opportunity to use. When testing coolant with litmus paper, all we have to do is determine the pH level. It's very easy to do this:

1. We take a litmus test and dip it in antifreeze, which we need to check for quality.

2. We are waiting for the paper to change its color.

3. We correlate the resulting color of litmus paper with a color scale that will indicate to us the exact pH level of the coolant being tested.

However, not every car owner can get an accurate pH scale to check (although if you use the Internet correctly, this information can still be obtained). Therefore, we give you the approximate pH values ​​\u200b\u200bof antifreeze and the corresponding color designation of litmus paper:

If, after checking, the paper turns pink, it means that the antifreeze being tested contains too much acid. This is unacceptable for coolant, which indicates that you are dealing with a fake.

If the litmus paper has acquired a blue tint, this is also evidence of the poor quality of the tested liquid. pH in this case will be ≥10.

If during the check you saw a green color, the liquid can be safely used, since the level of its alkaline-acid balance is in the range from 7 to 9, which is an excellent indicator for coolants.

But knowing one way to check the quality of antifreeze, you cannot be 100% sure that its use will not harm the car engine. For this reason, after using litmus, which, by the way, you can take with you directly to the market or store, it is worthwhile to arrange an additional check for antifreeze.

Do you know? Many motorists use the name antifreeze for coolants, although antifreeze is just one type of antifreeze. Antifreeze was invented in the USSR as an alternative to foreign coolants.

Checking the quality of antifreeze using a hydrometer

A hydrometer is a very simple device that allows you to quickly and accurately determine the density of antifreeze. It is worth noting that it is the density that is the main characteristic of this liquid, which determines its quality. In addition, according to certain density indicators, it is possible to determine at what temperature the antifreeze freezes, and how much glycol is included in the composition of the main substance.

The normal density for antifreeze is between 1.043 and 1.115. This density will indicate that the liquid freezes at -12-15˚C, which is sufficient for our weather conditions. The very same check of the quality of antifreeze using a hydrometer will take place in the following stages:

1. Using a pipette, which is built directly into the hydrometer, collect the required amount of liquid (the float of the device should begin to float freely).

2. Follow the reading on the hydrometer scale - this will be the density of the antifreeze you are testing.

The accuracy of the readings of the device is quite high, although experts also use a more accurate device called refractometer. However, due to the high cost, it is not worth buying it for personal use.

IMPORTANT! Most hydrometers allow you to simultaneously measure the density and the freezing point of the coolant.

How to test antifreeze by trial freezing?

You can also freeze antifreeze in a conventional freezer, which everyone has at home. At the same time, having collected only 100-150 ml of coolant into an empty bottle, try to bleed all the air out of the bottle. This is necessary in case you come across a really falsified liquid, and when it freezes, it begins to expand dramatically, and then it can break the bottle in the freezer, where food is still lying.

Since the air temperature in freezers is maintained at about -35˚С, it is possible to check the stability of the liquid literally in 1-2 hours. If during this short period the liquid simply crystallizes, or remains fluid, then it will be able to cope with more serious temperatures without any problems.

If the frozen liquid in all respects resembles ordinary ice, then it consists not so much of alcohol and additives as of ordinary distilled water. It is not recommended to pour such liquid into the cooling system of your car.

Interesting to know! If ordinary water expands by 9% when freezing, then some antifreezes only by 1.5%.

Checking the quality of antifreeze by test boiling

It is not necessary to boil the entire bottle to carry out the test. It is enough to pour a little liquid onto a tablespoon and heat it to a boil. In this case, you will be interested not in the temperature at which boiling began, but in what odors the liquid began to emit at the same time.

If, when heating antifreeze, you hear a clear smell of ammonia in the air, you are heating low-quality coolant, which is better not to use for a car. When checking the quality of antifreeze, it is also necessary to ensure that when heated, a precipitate does not begin to form from it. This is also a signal of a low quality product. Most likely, copper sulfate will fall into the sediment, which, when used on a car, will clog all lines and settle on engine surfaces.

The quality of antifreeze affects not only the quality of the engine cooling system. If a poor quality coolant is used, this can soon lead to complete wear of the vehicle's power unit, as well as the need to replace the cooling system. For this reason, the purchase of coolant must be taken seriously, especially since you already know how to check antifreeze for quality.