What to fill in the engine cooling system. Antifreeze or Antifreeze which is better

The purpose of the refrigerant is to cool the power unit of the machine and prevent it from overheating. If the system uses a fluid that does not match the engine specification, serious problems will result. How to find out what Antifreeze or antifreeze is filled in, and why the driver needs it, we will describe below.

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Why do you need to know?

Finding out what is flooded, Tosol or antifreeze, is useful for several reasons:

1. The car was recently purchased from the hands. It is logical to find out from the previous car owner what is used in the cooling system and when the consumable was last changed. This will allow you to know to understand when to replace.
2. The cooling system has malfunctioned. The heating device began to work worse, sometimes the power unit overheats. Such problems are often caused by the use of low-quality refrigerant. It is useful to know what is specifically uploaded to the system in order to never use such a product again.
3. Even if everything is working fine and there is no engine overheating, the car owner still needs to know what is used in the cooling system. At a minimum, in order to understand what liquid to buy to add if there is a shortage of refrigerant.

What is the difference between Tosol and antifreeze

It is not so easy to distinguish ordinary antifreeze from Tosol in a car. After all, both types of consumables have a certain composition and technical characteristics, which we will consider below.

Find out what kind of liquid is advisable to use in a machine engine from a video shot by user Alexander Skripchenko.

Compound

The composition of working fluids and their technical features are the main difference between refrigerants.

Tosol is a product of Russian production. It is based on ethylene glycol and distillate, the proportions of mixing liquids are determined by the manufacturer. The composition of the liquid is supplemented with additives made on the basis of inorganic acids.

As for antifreeze, in addition to ethylene glycol and distilled water, the base of the substance is propylene glycol and alcohol. The main role in the work of the substance is played by additives related to the organic type. Their presence in the composition is especially important for the liquid, as they prevent the formation of corrosion on the internal walls of the components of the cooling system and foam.

Characteristics

Antifreeze, poured into the car's cooling system, forms a protective layer on the surface of the metal elements of the radiator and engine. Its thickness, as a rule, is no more than 0.5 mm. The formation of a layer can affect the quality of heat transfer. In some engines, this contributes to an increase in fuel consumption and a decrease in the life of the power unit. The service life of the coolant averages about 30-40 thousand kilometers.

As a result of the presence of silicates and other inorganic acids in the fluid base, the refrigerant may gel over time. A precipitate will appear in the system, which will remain on the walls. Due to the appearance of deposits, clogging of the radiator device may occur, which will lead to its breakdown. The same problem will cause the internal combustion engine to overheat.

Basic information about the characteristics and composition of various consumables is given on the video filmed by the Inflated Wheels channel.

Thanks to technological additives in the composition of antifreeze, the liquid forms a film to protect against corrosion only where rust pockets have already been fixed. As a result, heat transfer in the system is not disturbed. The use of antifreeze favorably affects the functionality of the motor as a whole.

How to determine what is filled?

It will not work to check and recognize with the help of color what is flooded in the car. Antifreeze is always painted in a blue tint. But modern antifreezes are also available in blue.

If you don’t know what is filled in the car, then you can determine the type of consumable by several factors:

1. Smell and feel. Antifreezes are usually odorless, and if you touch the liquid to the touch, it will be more oily, unlike traditional Antifreeze.
2. Determining the type of fluid can be done by diagnosing the compatibility of the refrigerant with ordinary water. It is necessary to take a little substance from the expansion tank and mix it with tap water in a 1: 1 ratio. After the refrigerant container is placed in the freezer for about one hour. If as a result a separation of liquids occurred, the mixed substance became cloudy and a precipitate formed at the bottom, then you use Tosol. If high-quality antifreeze is poured into the cooling system of your car, then such problems will not arise.
3. Another factor is resistance to negative low temperatures. Pour a small amount of refrigerant into a separate bottle and place it in the freezer. When using Tosol, the liquid will freeze quickly, but if a good refrigerant is filled in, this will not happen.
4. Using a hydrometer, you can diagnose the density of a substance. The test should be carried out at an air temperature of 20 degrees. With this condition, the refrigerant density parameter should be about 1.073-1.079 g/cm3. If so, then you are using antifreeze.

Hydrometer for diagnosing the density level Parameter check

For diagnosis, you can resort to the old "grandfather" method:

1. You will need a plate or other metal fixture. You will also need a rubber product, for example, a piece of hose from the cooling system.
2. Take some liquid from the reservoir under the hood of the car. It is necessary to pour it into a jar or bottle, where a plate and a piece of hose should also be placed.
3. After 20 minutes, look at the result. Russian-made consumables create a protective layer on all components of the cooling system. Accordingly, both on the plate and on the piece of hose you will see a barely noticeable film. If the metal is corroded, and the film has formed only where rust is present, then you use antifreeze. Remove the products from the container and check them by touch.

How to understand what antifreeze is in a car from the factory?

To understand which brand of refrigerant to add to the cooling system, you need to know what is initially poured from the factory. It is not possible to determine this on your own. An accurate conclusion can only be given by the results of laboratory tests. Alternatively, you can contact your dealer or read the service book. It specifies which refrigerant standard to use.

You can learn about mixing refrigerants and the results from the video shot by the Avto-Blogger.ru channel.

Is it possible to upload something if you don't know?

If the situation is urgent, for example, while driving you had to stop due to engine overheating, then water can also be poured into the cooling system. If this happens during the cold season, we recommend that you do not ride on the water for a long time, but drive to the nearest service station or garage to solve the problem. Even when pouring liquid in the warm season, after the operation of the car, the cooling system is flushed. In frost, water will freeze quickly, and it has the property of expansion, so freezing will damage the expansion tank and pipes.

It is possible to mix only those refrigerants that correspond to each other in composition and standard. not allowed. This will lead to a chemical reaction, as a result of which the liquid will lose its properties and will not be able to perform its duties. Precipitation forms in the cooling system, which prevents the normal circulation of consumables through the lines. Due to the loss of properties, corrosion will appear on the internal parts of the radiator device, which over time will lead to serious damage to the unit.

If you had to mix Antifreeze with antifreeze, then do not delay the replacement process. Be sure to drain consumables. When changing, the motor is flushed, and the procedure is repeated several times. It is done until clean water begins to come out of the cooling system without deposits and traces of scale. Then we can assume that the cleaning was completed successfully. For washing, the use of special means is allowed. When filling, take into account the engine specification and the manufacturer's recommendations for the use of antifreeze.

• don't mix antifreeze and antifreeze. When different additives interact, substances lose their properties and are destroyed. Part wear is increasing. Be sure to remember the brand and type of fluid in case you need to top it up. If there is no such information, replace the composition completely.
• do you have a used car? Necessarily replace coolant. You may not know that the car was imported from Europe or America, where the fluid is designed for other climatic conditions. Once in our winter, antifreeze will not survive and will lead to cracking of the radiator;
• change fluid every 2-4 years. Additives lose their properties and are deposited in the cooling system with salts. This leads to breakage of the main parts.

How to change coolant

After you have decided what to fill in the car - antifreeze or antifreeze, proceed to direct filling. Follow it according to the car manual: if you don’t have a cherished book, use instruction below. It is valid for both types of liquid.

1. Warm up the cooling system of the car, including the interior heater. His faucet must be open. Warm-up time 5 minutes.
2. Stop the engine, drain the fluid from the tank and radiator.
3. Pour in water for rinsing. Add a special liquid that will better clean the nozzles.
4. Turn on the machine and let it run for 10 minutes.
5. Drain the water and repeat the process. Stop when the water is completely clear.
6. Pour new antifreeze or antifreeze.

Summing up, we note: antifreeze is an obsolete liquid at a low price. It can be poured into a car, but be prepared for the rapid wear of system parts. Prefer antifreeze if you have the financial means. A liter of liquid costs 700-900 rubles. However, it fully pays off in the process of operation.

Finally, watch the video, which clearly are on display differences between antifreeze and antifreeze.

We will begin our article not with a description of the properties of antifreeze or antifreeze, but with a description of how the direction of development of coolants for car engines historically developed and developed. Even when there was neither one nor the other, we are talking about antifreeze and antifreeze, then water came into play. It was an available liquid that "came handy" and initially quite legally went into the engine. At that time, little thought was given to all the advantages and disadvantages of water. Everything came with practice and experience, which is now easy to trump as it should be, but it was not given so easily, as we present today. And in order for us to better understand what is what and why, let's take a look at all the intricacies of using coolants for the machine's cooling system in order.

The history of the evolution of antifreeze and antifreeze for the cooling system

As we mentioned, we will start with water. The main drawback of water, which was revealed very quickly, apparently in the first winter, is its crystallization, the usual freezing at sub-zero temperatures. There is nothing good if the engine is not something that does not "scroll", but does not "spin" at all. To solve this problem, the crystallization of the coolant, alternative options have been proposed. Actually, it was necessary to throw something into the water so that it would not freeze. Now let's "go over" those liquids that have been used with varying degrees of success and could become an alternative to today's antifreeze and antifreeze.

- Glycerin

Glycerin is a colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid, infinitely soluble in water. Sweet in taste, which is why it got its name (glycos - sweet). By the way, glycerin is still used in some antifreezes. However, a couple of significant disadvantages of glycerin were subsequently revealed. This is still a relatively high freezing point (-18ºС). Well, the main disadvantage is a significant viscosity, if even simpler, then it is like jelly in itself. This consistency of the coolant in the system affects the useful power of the engine, due to the need to pump it all through the cooling system. That is, glycerin as a whole will reduce the efficiency of the engine, on which the dynamics of the car, consumption and, most importantly, our mood depends!

- Methanol

Methanol is a colorless liquid with an odor reminiscent of ethyl (drinking) alcohol. With the use of methanol, coolant freezing temperatures have become significantly lower. So much lower that so much is not needed. The freezing point is 97º C. It has the right viscosity. Everything seems to be fine, but it actively reacts with aluminum. Especially if it is warmed up, which is what happens in the engine. In addition, as alcohol, it is also a fire hazard. Such an unfavorable neighborhood could not only lead to rapid engine wear due to corrosion, but it could still burn out even earlier.
In addition, methanol is a poison that affects the human nervous and vascular systems. The toxic effect of methanol is due to the so-called "lethal synthesis" - metabolic oxidation in the body to toxic formaldehyde. In addition, methanol has cumulative properties, that is, it tends to accumulate in the body. Ingestion of 5-10 ml of methanol leads to severe poisoning (one of the consequences is blindness), and 30 ml or more leads to death. The maximum allowable concentration of methanol in the air is 5 mg / m³ (twice lower than that of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol). At present, methanol is prohibited for use in antifreezes, antifreezes, and glass cleaners.

- Ethanol

Ethyl alcohol, namely the alcohol C2H5OH, which is part of numerous alcoholic beverages consumed by humans. Alcohol could be widely used for antifreezes and antifreezes. The advantages of ethyl alcohol are obvious: it is relatively harmless to humans, has a low freezing point (-117ºС), and has a low viscosity. Of course, the main detrimental property of ethanol is known to everyone - alcoholism, but this article is not about that.
Also, a little off topic, but it's worth adding that ethanol is an antidote for poisoning with some toxic alcohols, such as methanol (see above) and ethylene glycol (more on that), this does not mean that it reacts with them, just when it enters the body undergoes a competitive oxidation of living tissues with it and subsequently the impossibility of oxidation with other toxic alcohols in the body.
Why didn't it take root? Yes, because again it is a fire hazard, it reacts with aluminum, and even the fight against alcoholism in the USSR was carried out on a very large scale. Although alcohols were given out as a liquid for pouring into the brake systems of trucks. What was, was!

- Ethylene glycol

It is also essentially a dihydric alcohol. And it was this alcohol that was destined for mass use in antifreezes and antifreezes. This alcohol is poisonous and you definitely should not drink it! The lethal dose is 35 cc orally.
So ethylene glycol is now the main basis for the coolant in most cases. Not to talk about it in more detail is simply blasphemous, because it has amazing properties!

Its amazingness lies in the fact that 100% ethylene glycol freezes at a temperature of only about -13ºС, but when water is added to it, the freezing point starts to drop!

Interesting, isn't it!? Moreover, the lowest freezing point of a solution of ethylene glycol and water will be at a ratio of 65% ethylene glycol and 35% water, respectively. In this case, the freezing point of the coolant will be about -70 degrees Celsius. The usual solution - 60% ethylene glycol and 40% water freezes at - 45 ° C and is actually a solution of antifreeze or antifreeze. That is, if you can’t save on ethyl alcohol, since there is a direct dependence on how you dilute it with water, the freezing temperature rises so much, then everything is the other way around. That is why, apparently, ethylene glycol has taken root as the basis of antifreeze. So, by mixing water and ethylene glycol, in fact, antifreeze or antifreeze is obtained, but additives are also important, which make the antifreeze really high quality!

- propylene glycol

Here is a new page in antifreeze. Whether it will become the main component instead of ethylene glycol is a big question. The main problems are related to the fact that it is more expensive, more viscous, especially at low temperatures. However, it is environmentally friendly, which is very fashionable in developed countries, this is its main strong point! It is used even in the food industry for cooling systems.
In general, for warm and developed countries, the most it is, but obviously not for Russia, where it is cold and no one will overpay, for the environment and their own health.

How antifreeze differs from antifreeze

In order not to manipulate your mind later, we will immediately agree that antifreeze and antifreeze are one and the same. Only with a different name. In the case of antifreeze, everything is trite, the origin of the word antifreeze is a borrowing from English. If you translate antifreeze from English, you get non-freezing. Antifreeze is actually an abbreviation with an ending.
TOS - stands for "Technology of Organic Synthesis" (the name of the department of GosNIIOKhT, which created the coolant back in the days of the USSR. ol is the ending characteristic of a group of alcohols, for example, ethanol, butinol, methanol. TOSol was developed in 1971 at the State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology specifically for VAZ cars, instead of the Italian antifreeze with the name "PARAFLU". The trademark "TOSOL" was not registered, which was actually not practiced during the Soviet era. Therefore, it is still used by many manufacturers.

Today, antifreeze is not at all the same "antifreeze from the past", it is the same antifreeze, but with a different name.

Type and types of antifreeze and antifreeze

In general, we take ethylene glycol, water and add additives ... Although what kind of additives? And those that will prevent corrosion. This is the most important problem when contacting metals with hot alcohol, whether it be cast iron or aluminum.
Actually, all varieties of antifreezes and antifreezes went from here. What additive you add, such a name and a group will turn out.

The very first antifreezes 1960-1990, they are silicate antifreezes, antifreezes (Traditional coolants, IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology)- This is an old group of coolants. As an anti-corrosion additive, they use silicates, phosphates, nitrites. Generally minerals. Such substances, when heated, create a layer of scale on the internal surfaces of the cooling system. This is what forms the protective layer. And then the problems begin. The passage holes are narrowed, heat transfer deteriorates. Surpluses of all minerals are simply deposited where necessary and not necessary.

In the 1990s, there appeared carboxylate antifreezes, antifreezes (Carboxilate coolants, OAT - Organic Acid Technology) contain corrosion inhibitors based on organic acids, which form a thin layer on the surface of the cooling system, being adsorbed only in places where corrosion occurs. That is, only open areas are oxidized. If everything is already in the film created from their own oxidation, then they are not "consumed", so to speak. As a result, acids leave antifreeze mainly at the time of oxidation in exposed areas of the metal, restoring the oxidized coating as the skin on our body renews. Such antifreeze lasts longer. In addition, corrosion inhibitors based on carboxylates included in the coolant have a lower hazard class (harmfulness) and are more environmentally friendly than traditional silicate inhibitors.

Around the same time, there were also transitional antifreezes, when acids were added a little, but they did not forget about minerals. hybrid antifreezes (Hybrid coolants, HOAT - Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) There were no obvious advantages of "mixing a little bit of everything" with such antifreezes.

Since 2008 there have been lobrid antifreezes (Lobrid coolants, SOAT coolants). Their trick is that they are made on the basis of propylene glycol. In fact, propylene glycol is not so much good for cars, because in this case, additives in the form of minerals or acids are also required, but it is safe for humans. It is less toxic than ethylene glycol, more viscous, and freezes at the same water ratio at higher temperatures. We think this innovation will remain somewhere where they especially care about the environment and are ready to pay money for it. Moreover, propylene glycol does not have any special operational advantages.

Now about the same thing, but in the form of a table

Which antifreeze or antifreeze to choose

Our recommendations will be on the side of coolants, as they say of the new generation, whether it be antifreeze or antifreeze. Of course, these are antifreezes based on ethylene glycol with acids, that is, carboxylate antifreezes. When purchasing antifreeze or antifreeze, carefully study the packaging. It is in the composition of the coolant that it should be mentioned which additives are the main ones for this coolant.

We are looking for something like this - Carboxilate coolants, OAT. (G12, G12+, G12++, G12+++). It makes no sense to overpay for propylene glycol G13 ...

Well, here for reference, here are a few standards for coolant

GOST 28084-89 - Russia
BS 6580: 1992 - UK
AFNOR NF R15-601 - France
ASTM D 3306 and SAE J 1034 - USA
ONORM V5123 - Austria
JIS K2234 - Japan
CUNA NC9566 - Italy

Is it possible to mix or add antifreeze antifreeze if you do not know what additives it is based on

Of course, I would like to say mix red liquids with red, green with green, and blue with blue, but unfortunately this is not so. The color of antifreeze or antifreeze is not a clear manifestation of any main chemical component present, but only a dye, that is, you cannot mix coolants based on color alone.
When mixing antifreeze or antifreeze with various additives (carboxylate and mineral), some can simply react with others directly. These reactions will not cause any side effects in the engine, they will simply destroy themselves, thereby losing a number of properties, including lubricating and inhibitory ones. As a result, the cooling system will work without inhibitors, which will affect the resource and wear of parts. Therefore, we do not look at the color, but at what kind of additives are in the antifreeze. If you don’t know what you have filled in, then it’s better to change the coolant at the first opportunity and then add what you need, and not what turns up!

Winter and summer antifreezes and antifreezes

Sometimes the psychology of our behavior fails us, due to the fact that we think within the framework of formed circumstances. So there are corners in the world with other climatic zones, unlike Russia, for example, America, Europe, from which used foreign cars often come to us. Perhaps this is the southern regions of Russia, where cars were previously operated before they got into a colder climate. It is in these regions that the requirements for antifreeze or antifreeze are not so high relative to freezing temperatures.
Therefore, be sure to change the coolant on the car if you do not know its history to avoid problems in winter. After all, antifreeze, an antifreeze used in warm regions, can have higher freezing temperatures. As a result, if antifreeze antifreeze freezes in winter, you may experience an obstruction in the cooling system, engine overheating, or even a breakdown of the cooling system. Manufacturers can simply dilute ethylene glycol so much that the freezing point can be -15ºС.

Who still wants to check the approximate freezing point of antifreeze based on density, you can use the article "Determining the freezing of antifreeze antifreeze by its density".

How to properly change antifreeze or antifreeze in a car engine cooling system

Of course, it is best to use the owner's manual for your specific vehicle. But the general requirements are still the same for all models and brands. In case of replacement of TOSOL or antifreeze in the car cooling system, start and warm up the engine for 5 minutes, while the passenger compartment heater valve must be open (if any), that is, the entire cooling system must be warmed up (together with the passenger compartment heater). Stop the engine, drain the TOSOL or antifreeze from the radiator (by removing the blind plug) and the block (by opening the tap or unscrewing the plug), pour in clean water, you can add liquid to flush the cooling system, radiator, let the engine run for about 5-10 minutes, then drain water again, through the drain plug of the radiator and engine block. Flush the entire engine cooling system with water until you are sure the water drains clean. Fill the cooling system with new TOSOL or antifreeze.

The term of use of antifreeze or antifreeze

In general, water with ethylene glycol is a fairly stable compound. But unfortunately, the additives contained in antifreeze and antifreeze decompose after about 2-3 years (60 - 80 thousand kilometers), so the coolant loses its properties. This is especially true for mineral antifreezes, because they simply constantly stand out from the antifreeze and can clog the channels of the car's cooling system with deposits.
For carboxylate antifreezes, things are better. After all, additives in them are "spent" only when they come into contact with the metal, when suddenly a film of oxides peels off somewhere. As a result, they are enough for 120-250 tons of kilometers.

However, there are special cases as a result of which it is better to replace antifreeze or antifreeze before the recommended time.

Antifreeze, antifreeze during the service life mentioned above should not drastically change color. If antifreeze, antifreeze has acquired a shade of rusty metal, this means that it does not cope with its duties and does not prevent corrosion. If the coolant has become so in a short time (the color has turned brown), then you have filled in a fake that does not contain corrosion inhibitors.
If such a fact manifests itself, antifreeze or antifreeze must also be replaced without waiting for the due date or mileage. The appearance of foam indicates a violation of the structure, or an initially low-quality antifreeze antifreeze. The foam should be as small as possible and it should disappear in a matter of seconds. If foam is retained in the composition, the system will become airy and the engine may overheat.

Summing up about how they differ and what is better to pour antifreeze or antifreeze into the cooling system

Let's repeat briefly about what we have been talking about for so long. Naturally, the world community is constantly evolving and the latest trends that provide environmental friendliness and extend the life of the elements of the cooling system is the use of propylene glycol. Antifreezes and antifreezes based on propylene glycol are more environmentally friendly, it is not toxic to humans, propylene glycol is used in the manufacture of products (additive E1520), medicines and perfumes, as well as in residential heating systems. Used in electronic cigarettes. Today, most municipal transport in Europe has already been converted to propylene glycol. Propylene glycol, unlike ethylene glycol, is slightly less aggressive to metals and has better thermal conductivity. In general, this liquid is the future, as used for cooling systems in cars and as heat carriers for heating systems in residential and industrial buildings. However, propylene glycol is more expensive than ethylene glycol, slightly more viscous, at the same ratio with water has a higher freezing point ... This can become a stumbling block.

In the automotive industry, there are thousands of different parts and filling fluids in different languages. That is why, confusion often arises when using certain words to refer to the same objects.

For many years now, disputes about the names of coolants have not stopped. Some say the word "Tosol" with a common accent, meaning any coolant intended for use in a car. Others consider antifreeze a trademark and prefer to use the word "Antifreeze". In fact, there are no clear lines between these names - everyone determines for himself how to call the liquid poured into the cooling system.

But in order to understand where these words came from, we decided to turn to the very roots of their appearance. In this article, we will talk in detail about the history of TOSOL, whether it can be mixed with antifreeze, what additives these liquids are supplied with, and much more.

What is TOSOL

The abbreviation TOSOL was created back in the days of the first VAZ cars leaving the assembly line. In the literal sense, the word TOSOL meant "Technology of Organic Synthesis of a Separate Laboratory". Subsequently, this abbreviation began to be called the only coolant produced in the USSR. For 20 years, antifreeze had no analogues, so the only brand of coolant is so rooted in the minds of motorists that its name is still used to refer to any coolants.

Ethylene glycol, water and a number of additives were added to the composition of antifreeze, among which nitrites, nitrates, silicates and phosphates can be distinguished. The additives did an excellent job, although they had side effects like low heat transfer due to the formation of a thick protective layer on the inner surfaces of the engine cooling channels.

What is antifreeze

Antifreeze literally translates as "antifreeze." This word refers to any coolants from any manufacturer, including TOSOL. The unacceptability of English names in Soviet times did not allow this name to be introduced into Russian automotive slang until the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the early 90s, confusion with this word just began, and everyone began to think about the question of how antifreeze differs from antifreeze.

If antifreeze includes a strictly defined set of additives, then any coolant with any set of additives can be called antifreeze. More modern brands of coolants have a resource of up to 200-300 thousand kilometers, in contrast to the outdated antifreeze, which must be replaced every 30-40 thousand km.

What is better antifreeze or antifreeze?

Given the information above, we can make an unambiguous conclusion that antifreeze, as one of the brands of antifreeze, does not have the best set of additives.

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What can lead to the use of antifreeze:

• Corrosion of the internal elements of the cooling system with untimely replacement
• Overheating of the engine from an excessively large layer of additives on the inner surface
• Foaming and, as a result, boiling of the liquid, which has a number of individual consequences

If you do not replace the antifreeze in a timely manner, then your engine may be seriously damaged. And you need to change the antifreeze, as mentioned above, every 30,000-40,000 km. As for antifreeze, then, again, it is not a specific brand and may contain various additives - both good and bad.

The conclusion is that it is better to fill in any modern antifreeze than antifreeze.

How to choose the right antifreeze for VAZ

Antifreeze or antifreeze what is the difference - you already know. Now let's figure out how to choose the best option. When choosing antifreeze, it makes sense to read reliable reviews on the Internet, if necessary, study texts, videos and photos - this is the only way to understand what is better to use as antifreeze. Any car is very susceptible to the liquid poured into the cooling system, so it is better to approach this issue responsibly, especially since antifreeze is poured for a significant mileage - a quarter of a million kilometers.

If you want to save money, then it will be cheaper to purchase the same antifreeze. But if you think about it and calculate everything, then for one replacement of antifreeze there are about 7-8 replacements of antifreeze, so the savings are rather doubtful. Many people think that VAZ cars are designed exclusively for antifreeze - this is a mistake.

Coolant manufacturer Arteco claims that about forty percent of car breakdowns are attributable to the coolant in the car. And in order not to make mistakes, let's figure out what to choose antifreeze or antifreeze and what are their differences.

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Coolant separation (coolant)

The basis of coolants is a mixture of ethylene glycol, water and additives that protect the metal from corrosion. Refrigerant manufacturers have their own unique composition, which differs in the technology for the production of additives. Additives are an essential component of the coolant.

When choosing Antifreeze or other antifreeze for a car, you need to pay attention to the instructions for use and read the manufacturer's recommendations. The manual contains a list of tests and experiments with liquid, the names of coolants and their class affiliation.

The production technology is reduced to:

• classical, when the composition is based on additives from salts of inorganic acids;
• carboxylate: the basis of this technology is corrosion protection based on organic acids, that is, carbonates;
• hybrid production technology is an offshoot of the second method, where additives are formed using salts of carboxylic acids with an admixture of silicates and phosphates.

We watch a video from Alexander Skripchenko about the thoughts of experienced motorists on this topic.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze will keep your car from overheating. Its boiling point reaches one hundred and fifty degrees Celsius. In frost, it stays up to thirty-eight degrees. Among other things, key elements of antifreeze, such as various additives, help keep machine parts from corroding metal.

If the antifreeze had no additives, its rather aggressive components would work to destroy the radiator walls. Water mixed with ethylene glycol without additives will eat away pipes, rubber pipes and even an engine in a matter of months. Active experiments are currently underway to improve additives. In order to show their differences in the automotive market, coolants began to produce different colors: blue, red and green.

• G11, G11+, G11++. This antifreeze is green. Withstands from - 40 to 130 degrees, this is a distinctive plus compared to Tosol. The second plus: with the formation of a “malignant formation”, that is, corrosion, carboxylic acid, which is part of the additives, begins to work.
• G12, G12+, G12++. It's red antifreeze. It is more advanced and is great for the delicate cooling systems of foreign cars. There are no chemical additives in its composition, but there are organic ones. This is a definite plus. This improves heat dissipation.

Gallery "What to choose and use for the engine?"

Antifreeze

This is the traditional technology for preparing coolant. Under the word "Tosol" on the market, both high-quality antifreezes of international production and fakes can be sold. However, there is not a single modern company that would prepare liquid according to the recipe according to which it was made in Soviet times. In a market where every second canister and can is called "Tosol", it is better to give preference to a trusted manufacturer.

Blue antifreeze - Antifreeze

The difference between antifreeze and antifreeze

In the past, when cars were equipped with cast-iron impenetrable engines, ethylene glycol and water-based fluid did no harm. Now (in modern cars), hot antifreeze, flowing through the system, threatens engine blocks and radiators. Tosol was created to protect the system, and it was then that this coolant became associated with domestic cars.

In fact, there is no difference between Tosol and antifreeze. Antifreeze is the same antifreeze, only of our production. It can be sold on the market in both blue and red.

The difference lies in the following parameters:

• boiling and freezing temperature of the coolant;
• properties that protect against corrosion;
• lubrication parameters.

What is the difference between Antifreeze and antifreeze, and what is better to fill in - video from the CAR SALON channel.

What is better to fill?

To understand what heats and cools better, you need to understand the components of a car radiator.

Antifreeze

In the automotive market, it can be found in both blue and red colors - it all depends on the temperature. The service life of the coolant is from two to three years. It boils at a temperature of 110 to 115 degrees Celsius. Red antifreeze or red antifreeze - it is better to choose depending on the radiator. It is important to remember: red antifreeze lasts up to 60 degrees, and blue (standard) up to 40.

Green antifreeze

In its composition, it contains organic and protective chemical additives. A mixture of phosphates, borates, a small amount of carboxylic acid create a shield effect. The coolant touches the inner walls of the cooling system and strengthens its "health". Due to this protective reaction, the risk of metal decomposition is reduced. But the antifreeze of this technology has its drawbacks. It needs to be changed every 2-3 years, and it limits heat transfer.

Red antifreeze

Protective additives are almost always organic, where carboxylic acid is used in huge doses. The manufacturing technology protects the nozzles from films and increases heat transfer. The film that covers the places of corrosion does not crumble and does not clog the cooling system. Red antifreeze is long lasting and can be changed after five or six years.

Summing up, which antifreeze is better, we pay attention:

1. Antifreeze is recommended to use if your car is of domestic production, and the engine in it is of an old model.
2. You can buy green antifreeze if there is an excess of aluminum in the cooling system.
3. If the radiator is yellow, this indicates that there is an excess of brass and copper in it, and in this case, you can use red antifreeze.

Antifreeze or antifreeze: making the right choice in the video from the AutoFlit channel.

Can different coolants be mixed?

The refrigerant, whether it is Antifreeze or antifreeze, according to the state standard, should not contain mechanical impurities (dust and ash, dirt and microscopic pieces of materials). It must be homogeneous and transparent.

1. If antifreezes have the same color, but they will be of different classes, they cannot be mixed, because solid particles can be mixed.
2. If you mix different types of antifreeze - mineral and organic - this guarantees the appearance of a cloudy precipitate. This sediment will settle to the bottom of the cooling system, not promising anything good: after a while it will clog the radiator, block the pump and eventually cause the engine to boil.
3. If you combine different coolants that belong to the same group, their characteristics will not change, but after heating the antifreeze, a suspension of tiny but heavy particles may appear in the liquid.

Since no one knows how the coolant will behave in the radiator, it is impossible to give a definite answer and say what exactly should be feared.

Antifreeze mixing scheme