How to check the coolant level in a car engine. Self check antifreeze level

Coolant, also called antifreeze, must operate over a wide temperature range. It is important that the antifreeze retains its properties in winter and that an ice coating does not form on it, and it does not turn into ice. In the summer, even at the highest temperatures, antifreeze should not boil, otherwise the engine will overheat.

Unfortunately, even in large automotive stores, antifreeze can come across, the quality of which is much lower than desired. Even more often, a driver may encounter such a problem if he purchases coolant in the market, gas station, or simply “from hand”. If the quality of antifreeze is in doubt, you need to check its density. In this article, we will consider how to do this, and what density of the coolant can be considered normal.

What determines the density of antifreeze

Many drivers know that you can find it on sale, diluting it with distilled water, you can get engine coolant. This concentrate is ethylene glycol, that is, dihydric alcohol. It is from the mass fractions of ethylene glycol (alcohol), acids and water that the density of antifreeze depends.

Naturally, modern antifreeze is a more complex liquid than just a mixture of alcohol and water. A number of components are also added to it: additives, dyes, surfactants, fragrances, and so on. Despite this, the main part of antifreeze consists of alcohol and water, and various additives account for no more than 5%, respectively, they practically do not affect the final density of the coolant.

How to check the density of antifreeze

Checking the density of antifreeze is a fairly simple procedure that any driver can easily handle. It is carried out using a hydrometer - a device that can be purchased at a construction, automotive, and almost any hardware store.

The hydrometer is a flask with a "spout" for immersion in liquid on one side and a rubber "pear" on the other side. Inside the flask is a float with a graduated scale. When liquid is drawn into the hydrometer, the float rises, and the density can be determined from the height at which it turned out.

Note: Most hydrometers are temperature graded and are the best choice to use for checking antifreeze density. By typing coolant into such a hydrometer, you can immediately see at what negative temperature the antifreeze will begin to freeze.

To check the density of antifreeze with a hydrometer, it is enough to draw a little coolant of average room temperature into the device, that is, from +15 to +25 degrees Celsius. You need to collect enough antifreeze so that the float floats freely in it, most often manufacturers indicate the mark to which it is better to pour liquid into the tool. Then it remains to take readings on the scale and compare them with the normal density of antifreeze.

What density of antifreeze is considered normal

If the hydrometer does not have a graduated scale with temperature, the density indicator will not tell the driver much. However, even with a temperature scale, it is better to check the quality of antifreeze precisely by density, comparing it with normal.

Modern manufacturers put on sale antifreeze, the density of which is about 1.069 - 1.072 g / cm 3. Such antifreeze freezes at temperatures below -40 degrees Celsius. But it is important here to take into account the fact that diluted ethylene glycol will freeze at a level of about -40 degrees Celsius at a density of 1.071 g / cm 3 and 1.104 g / cm 3. For manufacturers, it is advantageous to choose a density of 1.071 g/cm 3 , since the properties of the coolant will not become worse from this, and it will be cheaper in production.

It is most convenient to navigate when measuring the density of antifreeze according to the table below. It clearly shows what the density of antifreeze should be so that it does not freeze at various negative temperatures.

How to identify fake antifreeze

When buying, it is almost impossible to determine the “wrong” antifreeze, even with a hydrometer. Recently, scammers have been actively using acids, sugar, salt to dilute with water and create "antifreeze", instead of the necessary ethylene glycol. Accordingly, when measuring such mixtures with a hydrometer, their density will be at the correct level.

The problem is that fake antifreeze, unlike the real one, loses its properties faster during operation. That is, it is enough for him to work for several weeks in the coolant cycle - constantly heating up and cooling down, and he will become unusable.

To make sure the quality of antifreeze, you must first check it with a hydrometer. If the indicator is normal, the liquid can be poured into the car and drive on it for a week. After a week, you need to take the liquid from the radiator with a hydrometer for density analysis:

• If the indicator has not changed, everything is fine;
• If it has changed slightly, repeat the check in a week;
• If it has changed a lot, you need to drain the antifreeze and fill in a new one.

Operating the car on fake coolant will quickly lead to engine failure.

Not many people know, but antifreeze (and TOSOL) can be checked for density. "For what" - you ask? YES, it's simple - it should be at a normal level, high enough to allow the coolant to work with low, and sometimes critically low temperatures. After all, when you buy antifreeze, you don’t know its composition, but what if it’s just water that is tinted with an ordinary dye! How to check that? Let's figure it out...

Although not always just water and alcohol, it is usually:

• Distilled water
• Special alcohols, usually propylene glycol or ethylene glycol
• Additives
• Dyes
• Fragrances and surfactants

Additives, dyes and surfactants, not so much, usually only about 5-10% of the total volume, so they practically do not affect the density.

How to check the density?

This is usually done with an ordinary hydrometer, a special device that resembles a pear on one side and a flask (with a spout) on the other. It has a special float (inside) with gradation, in fact this is the working mechanism. After you draw coolant into the flask, the float pops up, by a certain amount, if you look at the gradation on the flask, you can find out what indicator you have now.

The indicators are strictly tied to the temperature, so it is not uncommon when the scale of grams per centimeter cubed is indicated on the floats on the one hand, and on the other hand there are temperature characteristics. THAT is, you can immediately find out at what temperature yours will work.

The verification process is very simple, literally everyone can handle it, although some may still have questions, then watch this video clip.

Normal density of antifreeze

WELL, what was decided, why measure and how to do it. But what is the normal indicator is not clear.

Everything is also simple here, it depends only on one parameter, for example, on the freezing temperature, for antifreeze up to -25 it will be one, but up to -40 it will be different. Actually, this is logical because the concentration of active substances in the “strong” version will be greater.

Although it is also worth remembering that ethylene glycol itself, which is used in antifreeze, if it is not diluted with water, freezes already at -13 degrees Celsius! It is important! That is why it cannot be used pure, but only diluted.

If you need a composition up to -40 degrees Celsius, then ethylene glycol should be either 53% (1.071 g / cm3) or 85% (1.104 g / cm3). Here is such a paradox, and both results will give the same result.

At the moment, many antifreeze manufacturers have a density index of 1.071 g / cm3, which corresponds to a freezing temperature of approximately -35, -40 degrees Celsius.

If, after measurements, your indicator is lower, say, to strive for one, then you have a fake in front of you, you CANNOT pour it into your car! Otherwise, even with minimal frost, the radiator and the entire system may freeze. I provide other indicators in the table below.

Antifreeze Density Table

Fake antifreeze or TOSOL

Lastly, I want to say - the guys are now on the market, there are a lot of fake coolants, instead of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, acids and ordinary sugar or salt are used. Such a liquid originally, will also not freeze at low temperatures, and the density indicator will be at the right level.

BUT the whole problem is that after a short amount of time, the liquid will lose its properties, say from heating and cooling! And after a month of work, it will freeze at low temperatures.

Therefore, after a couple of weeks, after replacing the antifreeze, you need to re-measure the density to make sure that it has remained at the same level. If not (critically dropped)! That fluid should be replaced.

From experience I will say that now there are a lot of fakes based on cheap acids.

I think the information was useful to you, read our AUTOBLOG.

When choosing a coolant for your car, what do we pay attention to first of all? Famous brand, nice packaging, attractive price. Many even choose antifreeze by color (I like red!), Not paying attention to the composition and production technology. And certainly few people are interested in such a characteristic as density. But in vain. It would not hurt to check it before pouring liquid into the system. Otherwise, how can you be sure that this is not ... ordinary tinted water!

The main indicators of the coolant

Measuring the density of the coolant with a hydrometer

Among the mandatory information indicated on the packaging of antifreeze, its main indicators. These include:

• appearance (transparent liquid of a certain color);
• crystallization temperature;
• boiling point;
• foaming;
• alkalinity;
• corrosion losses of metals;
• kinematic viscosity;
• compound;
• density.

And also some others. The last indicator in the list will be discussed.

What does "density" mean?

So what is it, the density of antifreeze? It depends on this characteristic whether the liquid is suitable for your car, whether it freezes or boils ahead of time. This indicator indicates that the product contains acid or alcohol, salts. That is, how many mass fractions of a substance are dissolved in water.

Since the composition of the coolant includes an alcohol base, additives, dyes, etc., its density cannot be the same as that of water. However, to exceed much - too, since additives should be no more than 5-10%.

What should be this value for antifreezes and antifreezes

Antifreeze is a type of coolant, which means it is also antifreeze. Thus, their performance should be similar. The density of antifreeze and antifreeze is on average 1.10 g / cm 3. It varies from 1.034 to 1.112 g/cm 3 . At the first indicator, the liquid will begin to crystallize already at -10 degrees Celsius, at the second - at -20. And this is the whole range of antifreeze, one might ask? No, oddly enough, with average rates - from 1.083 to 1.082 - it will provide protection up to minus 60-65 degrees Celsius. Such is the arithmetic.

By the way, for comparison, the density of water is 0.9982 g/cm³. At first glance, the difference is small. But it is she who will determine when and at what temperature the liquid poured into the cooling system will boil and solidify.

Table of relationship between coolant density and antifreeze concentration

Temperature (°C) and specific gravity (g/cm3) of coolant					Temperature (°C)		Antifreeze concentration (% volume)
10°C	20°C	30°C	40°C	50°C	freezing liquid	Safe operation
1,054	1,050	1,046	1,042	1,036	-16°C	-11°C	30%
1,063	1,058	1,054	1,049	1,044	-20°C	-15°C	35%
1,071	1,067	1,062	1,057	1,052	-25°C	-20°C	40%
1,079	1,074	1,069	1,064	1,058	-30°C	-25°C	45%
1,087	1,082	1,076	1,070	1,064	-36°C	-31°C	50%
1,095	1,090	1,084	1,077	1,070	-42°C	-37°C	55%
1,103	1,098	1,092	1,084	1,076	-50°C	-45°C	60%

How to measure the density of antifreeze with a hydrometer

The simplest hydrometer for measuring the density of antifreeze

To provide the engine with reliable protection in any conditions, it is necessary that not only the composition and production technology be correct, but also the normal density of antifreeze. If you change the coolant yourself, not in a service center, then it is useful to play it safe and measure this indicator.

How to check the density of antifreeze? The easiest way to do this is with a hydrometer. You can buy a hydrometer in almost any auto parts store. Its cost is not great. The device is a small flask with a scale to which a rubber bulb is attached. A float is located inside, which pops up when liquid is drawn into the flask through a pipette. At what division it stops - such an indicator of density is.

By the way, the density of antifreeze varies with temperature. In order for the result to be as truthful as possible and to be able to find out when the antifreeze freezes, you need to check it at 20 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is different, you will have to calculate.

How to measure the density of antifreeze with a refractometer

Refractometer

In addition to a hydrometer, what else measures the density of antifreeze? You can do this with a refractometer. Its result is fast and accurate, only before that you need to correctly configure the device: using a screw under the protective cap, bring the separating strip to zero using distilled water. After that, it is necessary to drop antifreeze onto the prism of the refractometer, focus with the eyepiece and read the readings along the line. A significant minus in front of the hydrometer is the high price, and the pluses are its accuracy and ease of use.

How to measure the density of antifreeze at home

Well, what if you don’t have either one or the other at hand? You can simply conduct primitive experiments - try to freeze antifreeze. To do this, you need to pour a small amount of it into a plastic bottle, close it tightly. If there is a frosty winter outside, find out the temperature and leave it there for an hour. In the warm season, you can use the freezer if the temperature inside it is regulated.

What can cause insufficient or excessive density of antifreeze

Since the most important thing that the density of the coolant affects is its crystallization temperature, then if this indicator is insufficient or excessive, one can fear that the substance will fail in winter and freeze when it reaches its temperature limit.

Conclusion

To choose the ideal coolant for your car and your operating conditions, you need to know all its characteristics, and density is far from secondary. After all, it is she who affects when the antifreeze starts to freeze. To protect the engine, it is worth checking this indicator before filling.

Video

How to measure the density of antifreeze, antifreeze.

Refractometer. How to choose an anti-freeze. How to check antifreeze. How to check the battery

Almost every car owner faced the issue of choosing a coolant. The quality of the refrigerant is determined not only by its properties, but also by the operating characteristics, in particular, by the freezing point. Today we will tell you how to check antifreeze for freezing and at what temperature the coolant usually freezes.

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At what temperature does coolant freeze?

Freezing temperature is an important parameter to pay attention to when choosing a consumable. If you live in the northern region, then you need to select a coolant that can not freeze at low temperatures. Next, we will talk in detail about the freezing temperatures of antifreeze and Antifreeze.

Antifreeze

It is impossible to say exactly what the freezing temperature of antifreeze is. This is because antifreeze from each individual manufacturer has its own characteristics, as well as a package of additives that directly affects the performance properties. The manufacturer can change the composition, as a result of which the properties will change.

In addition, the freezing point is greatly influenced by the class of liquid to which it corresponds. For example, consumables of a higher class and, accordingly, more expensive in cost, are more resistant to cold than low-quality substances. It is immediately worth noting here: if you purchase products from an unverified manufacturer or a low-quality liquid, then you should not expect anything supernatural from the operation of such a consumable.

Today, the entire automotive market in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, as well as other countries of the former CIS, is literally teeming with fakes. When choosing a refrigerant, pay attention not only to its operational properties, but also to the compatibility of the composition and the additional additive package with your engine.

As you know, antifreezes are divided among themselves not only by operational properties, but also by international standards G11, G12 and G13. There are no fundamental differences in their composition, the difference lies only in admission to certain models of vehicles. On average, the freezing point of the original consumable that meets the G11 standard is 40 degrees below zero. For G12 and G13 standards - 80 degrees.

Of course, if you dilute it with water in proportions of 1:2, where one liter of antifreeze and two liters of water, then reduce the freezing point by half. The average cost of such a coolant in the domestic market is from 130 hryvnia (400 rubles) per liter of consumables. The price for antifreeze is considerable, however, G11 standard fluids are recommended to be changed at least once every two years, and the service life of G12 and G13 coolant standards is five years.

But it's all about high quality coolant. If you buy a Russian or Ukrainian-made liquid, you should understand that it will not have the same high properties as General Motors antifreezes (G 11, G12 and G13 standards). In the domestic car market, you can find coolant that freezes at 25 degrees below zero.

In general, it all depends on the manufacturer. When buying a consumable, pay attention to the label: it usually contains all the information that the driver needs to know before using the substance.

"Tosol"

As for the domestic "Tosol", everything here is identical to antifreeze. By itself, "Tosol" is a consumable of domestic production, so it is more often used in Russian and Ukrainian cars than in foreign cars.

To date, dozens of companies across the country are engaged in the manufacture of "Tosol". And although the composition of the consumable may vary depending on the manufacturer, the temperature properties are almost the same. In particular, if coolant-40 is written on the Tosol package, then the freezing point is 40 degrees below zero.

As a rule, most consumables of Russian and Ukrainian production have just such a freezing threshold. There are liquids that start the crystallization process at lower temperatures (-50 degrees, -65 degrees). Again, it all depends on the manufacturer, so when choosing Antifreeze, pay attention to the packaging label.

"Tosol" with water

Recently, motorists are increasingly practicing mixing coolants with water. The breeding of the concentrate came to us from Europe. Keep in mind that Tosol itself is 60 or even 70 percent water, and only the remaining 30-40% is ethylene glycol and additional additives.

When you operate your car in the summer at high temperatures, the water evaporates from the coolant, respectively, its level drops. Of course, if you do not have leaks in the cooling system, then there can be no question of any evaporation. Therefore, if you notice a decrease in the coolant level in the expansion tank, but are sure that there are no leaks in the system of your car, then there will be nothing to worry about adding water.

But if you drive in winter and the Tosol level drops regularly, then in no case add water. If you overdo it with water, you may encounter a problem of coolant freezing. Also remember: never pour tap water into the expansion tank. It is full of harmful substances that have a destructive effect on the internal components of the cooling system. Do this only as a last resort, but after that you should flush the system. If there is a need to add water, then use only distillate. It can be purchased at any automotive store.

Below are the proportions of freezing of the coolant when mixed with water:

• "Tosol", diluted with distilled water in proportions one to one, will begin the process of crystallization (freezing) at 35-40 degrees below zero.
• If you mix "Tosol" with distillate in a ratio of 2: 3, where two liters of consumables, respectively, 3 liters of water, then the substance will begin to freeze at 30 degrees below zero.
• If you dilute "Tosol" in a ratio of one to two, where one liter of direct coolant and two liters of distilled water, then the freezing point will drop by half and will be 20 degrees below zero.

The above examples are relevant for coolant with a crystallization threshold of 40 degrees below zero.

How to check antifreeze for freezing?

There are several ways to determine the freezing point of the coolant. Let's consider each of them in detail.

First way

To check the freezing temperature of the coolant you will need:

• thermometer;
• pharmacy syringe;
• cup.

Let's get started:

• Using a syringe, pump out about 100 grams of coolant from the expansion tank or package.
• Pour it into a glass and put it in the freezer. Place a thermometer with the consumable.
• Every 3-5 minutes you need to check visually when the coolant starts to become cloudy. At this point, it is time for crystallization to begin.
• At the moment when the consumable began to become cloudy, check the coolant temperature with a thermometer.

Second way

It consists in the fact that you need to measure the density of the consumable using a special device and calculate the temperature of the onset of crystallization using the table. A hydrometer can be purchased at any automotive store. The correspondence table is provided below. The test should be carried out in a room with a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Wait a while for your consumable to reach this temperature.

1. Open the cap on your vehicle's expansion tank.
2. Take a hydrometer and collect some coolant in it. To do this, lower the pipette into the expansion tank and use the so-called "pear" to take away enough coolant so that the float of the device floats freely in it.
3. Visually on the hydrometer scale, you need to determine the concentration of the coolant.
4. Compare the resulting figure with the table below.

propylene glycol solution	The beginning of coolant crystallization	Density at a temperature of 20 WITH	Ethylene glycol solution	Freezing point	Density at 20 ˚ С
30%	-13˚ C	1,023	30%	-15˚ C	1,038
35%	-20˚ C	1,028	35%	-20˚ C	1,045
40%	-25˚ C	1,032	40%	-25˚ C	1,052
45%	-30˚ C	1,035	45%	-30˚ C	1,058
50%	-35˚ C	1,038	50%	-35˚ C	1,064
55%	-45˚ C	1,040	55%	-43˚ C	1,071
60%	-55˚ C	1,042	60%	-50˚ C	1,077
65%	-60˚ C	1,043	65%	-60˚ C	1,083
70%	-65˚ C	1,044	70%	-70˚ C	1,088

Remember that all the properties and characteristics of the consumable are indicated on the canister label. Therefore, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with them so that later you will not have any questions.

Also take the time to choose the coolant. Don't buy consumables from unverified suppliers, questionable auto markets, or dealers standing on the side of the road. Often, such sellers sell low-quality coolant, the operation of which will not lead to anything good.

Also consider your engine specification. Sometimes antifreeze may simply not be suitable for the engine or cooling system in terms of its characteristics. The requirements of the motor should be taken into account, since this is a very important point. All the more, it is categorically not recommended to fill in the Russian "Tosol" in foreign-made cars. Of course, the technology for its manufacture is being modernized, but initially such consumables are designed for domestic cars.

Video from Roman Romanov "How to measure the density of "Tosol" or antifreeze"

This video shows how to measure the density of a refrigerant using a hydrometer.

Antifreeze is one of the main components that affect the correct operation of the engine, so it is recommended to check it regularly. If there are no malfunctions or leaks, then it will be enough to check the level of antifreeze once a week. It is recommended to replace antifreeze every 40,000 km, although now many manufacturers claim that the quality of antifreeze has reached such a level that it can be changed after 100 thousand kilometers, for example, and. Antifreeze must be poured into a well-cleaned system, otherwise it will mix with the old one and its quality will drop significantly. The operating time directly depends on the presence of anti-corrosion substances in it. The resource of antifreeze directly depends on the quality of the coolant and the mileage of the car.

Antifreeze cannot be poured into the tank right up to the neck, because it has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. As the engine heats up, it will expand and slosh out. It will be sufficient to fill the coolant slightly above the lower marks of the expansion tank. Antifreeze not only cools the engine, but also protects machine parts from corrosion, and is also a lubricant. For these purposes, manufacturers add additives to antifreeze that tend to be produced. Three or four years are enough for this, then the color of the liquid changes: if it was blue, it becomes green. This indicates that the antifreeze needs to be replaced.

Antifreeze must be changed before corrosion occurs. The presence of corrosion is indicated by the reddish-brown color of the liquid. The quality of the coolant can be determined using test sticks. Antifreeze manufacturers offer such sticks for testing. The stick has a certain color, but in the process of contact with antifreeze, it changes color, works on the principle of litmus paper. After all, antifreeze ages and wears out during operation. This process is natural, because the liquid has to flow through the cooling system 400-700 times per hour, at a temperature of 90-100 degrees, or even higher. All this leads to a decrease in the reserve of alkalinity, the development of additives, as well as an increase in corrosiveness and aggressiveness to rubber.

In addition to laboratory methods, it is almost impossible to determine the quality of antifreeze, therefore, before buying a coolant, a motorist should be guided by experience, common sense and logic. Alas, antifreeze is one of those products whose quality is almost impossible to check at the time of purchase. Operational qualities and shortcomings will become known only during use. But you can protect yourself by showing elementary care. You need to buy only a well-known brand product, such as Greencool, only in stores and pay special attention to packaging. It should be airtight, there should be no smudges on the outer walls. Experienced car enthusiasts have heard that antifreeze should taste sweet, but you can’t try it, because it is POISON. But you can touch it with your hands, it should be a little soapy and slippery. There are 2-3 more indicators by which antifreeze can be rejected.

First of all, this is an indicator that determines the crystallization temperature - density. It can be measured with a hydrometer, but here three circumstances must be taken into account. Firstly, this device actually measures the density, and not the freezing point. Therefore, such a measurement will not be a qualification test, but will only serve as an indicator and assessment of the freezing temperature. Secondly, different manufacturers have different additives, which, when diluted with water, give different density dependences on the freezing point. And, thirdly, it is necessary to strictly observe the set temperature during the measurement. Each type of antifreeze has its own working density scale.

The second indicator that allows you to determine the quality of antifreeze will be the determination of the indicator of the activity of hydrogen ions. This value is important because it shows what kind of arsenal of alkaline components is contained in the additive package. If this indicator is low, then the service life of antifreeze will be short. The third point will be the determination of the antifoam additive. Determining its presence is very simple. You need to shake the antifreeze canister and look at the amount of foam and the degree of its disappearance.

The prevailing opinion that the quality of antifreeze can be determined by color is incorrect. The color range and brightness depend on the amount of dyes that were introduced at the factory. Antifreezes are tinted in order to make it easier to control the level of liquid in the tank.

So, a real branded antifreeze is soapy to the touch, should not have the smell of ammonia and ammonia, and under the influence of high temperatures there should not be a red precipitate. This can be tested by boiling antifreeze on a gas stove. Of course, the main property of antifreeze is resistance to low temperatures. At home, this can be easily checked by placing a small amount of coolant in the freezer. If the antifreeze is frozen in the freezer, then this is a sure sign of a fake. Indeed, in our time, scammers have learned to fake not only color, but also density. True, for this they use chemicals so caustic that they may well destroy the walls of the block head. Therefore, when buying antifreeze, make sure that the brand you choose is neutral with respect to aluminum. And remember that only you are responsible for the normal functioning of your car's cooling system.