We all tirelessly talk about how much we love our cars. But I'm willing to bet that not all of us are aware of such a thing as the density of antifreeze. But it is precisely on this property of the coolant that the serviceability of the engine and the temperature regime in the passenger compartment depend. Let's try to figure out what density antifreeze should have and what threatens to mismatch with the recommended indicator.
1 Antifreeze or imported antifreeze - which density is "better"?
Regardless of what kind of coolant is in your car's engine, you should check its condition regularly. If you don’t do this on time, you risk losing control of the temperature in the car, as well as contributing to the breakdown of important engine parts.
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One of the factors on which the effectiveness of antifreeze directly depends is its density. This property, along with the boiling and freezing points, must meet specific standards. How to determine that the coolant you bought will work stably for a long time?
Among a huge number of Russian motorists, there is an opinion that the density of Tosol, a domestically produced antifreeze, should be 1.104 g / cm3. This indicator is taken into account only when the freezing point of the liquid is -40 ˚C. Knowing about this indicator, many drivers mistakenly believe that the density of the compositions of foreign brands should differ significantly. In fact, the difference between imported and Russian antifreeze is only in the operating temperature. Accordingly, the density of Tosol and compositions of other brands at a freezing temperature of -40 ˚C should be almost the same.
Antifreeze of domestic production
This property of engine cooling fluids is influenced by several main factors:
the recipe followed by antifreeze manufacturers;
types and amounts of additives in gasoline and coolant;
the presence of monoethylene glycol;
the amount of nitrites;
boiling point of antifreeze.
The density of the cooling liquid greatly affects its thermal conductivity. The higher this characteristic, the faster the heat passes through the engine structure and accumulates in the passenger compartment. Also, too high thermal properties of the liquid threaten to overheat the engine and other important parts of the machine.
2 Check the density of the coolant
To know about this indicator of antifreeze, it must be checked regularly. In this case, it does not matter at all what composition you use - the check is always carried out according to the same principle. In order to get more or less truthful data, it is worth using a hydrometer - a special device for measuring the characteristics of automotive fluids.
Checking the density of antifreeze
Another factor on which the accuracy of the indicators depends is the freezing point of antifreeze. Only those brands of liquids can be measured, on the packages of which the freezing point is indicated - 40 ˚C.
Freezing point of the refrigerant At the beginning of the test, it is necessary to open the hood and find a separate tank for antifreeze. We unscrew the lid and take a small amount of liquid. It must be remembered that it is necessary to check the composition not in the heat of 30–40 ˚C and not during severe frosts. It is best to sample some antifreeze in a cool, dry area. To do this, you need to lower the hydrometer pipette and dial the composition with a short press, then pour it into the flask. There should be enough antifreeze so that the float floats freely on its surface, without resting its edges against the ceiling of the device. Next, we look at the hydrometer scale, which will show the density of the coolant.
3 What should be the density of the coolant
After we have received the result of the indicators of the composition, it is necessary to check the special table. It contains the most accurate data that shows what density each type of coolant has.
Coolant Density Chart A chart showing density versus freezing point is useful if you only know the amount of alcohol in your antifreeze. If up to 85.5% ethylene glycol is present in the composition with a crystallization temperature of -40 ˚C, then the density should be at least 1.105 g/cm3.
Ethylene glycol in antifreeze As we can see, it is not difficult to determine the density of the coolant at home. The main thing is not to ignore this need and check the antifreeze indicators as often as possible. And remember that compounds with a crystallization temperature of -40 ˚C are best measured.
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 hydrometerAmong 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
Having chosen and bought an antifreeze liquid for the cooling system, every motorist wants it to really have the properties stated on the label.
According to recent studies, the share of counterfeit products on the antifreeze market is between 40 and 50%. Despite the nice plastic container and neatly made stickers on it, there may be a liquid inside that only vaguely resembles domestic antifreeze or foreign antifreeze.
Where is the guarantee that inside the canister is not tinted water flavored with battery electrolyte or bodyaga with sugar or salt added?
What is the danger of a fake
What happens to antifreeze (or antifreeze) poured into the cooling system when its temperature drops to the value (for example, -40 0 C) indicated on the package? It crystallizes and the antifreeze loses its fluidity, turning into a kind of jelly.
At the same time, it does not increase in volume, therefore it does not put pressure on the inner walls of the radiator and the “shirts” of the cooling system.
A completely different picture is if instead of an antifreeze liquid in the cooling system there is a fake made from ordinary water. Having reached zero temperature, the water freezes, noticeably increasing in volume, and since the cooling system is conditionally sealed, the resulting ice simply crushes and breaks the radiator channels, the water pump and the engine block.
Even if some part of ethylene glycol is still present in the fake antifreeze and it does not freeze, but crystallizes with decreasing temperature, it is unlikely that the counterfeiters bothered to add special anti-corrosion additives to its composition, enveloping the non-freezing liquid with a protective film.
Consequently, an aggressive liquid, which is a mixture of water and alcohol, will immediately begin to corrode parts of the engine cooling system. It is unlikely that the engine will withstand at least one season of operation in such conditions.
It is almost impossible to check the presence of protective additives at home, but everyone can find out if the non-freezing liquid will cope with the cold.
Litmus paper
By moistening a litmus paper with a coolant whose quality must be determined, and then comparing the color acquired by it with a special color scale, it will not be difficult to determine its pH with sufficient accuracy.
If there is no such scale, it does not matter, the approximate acid-base balance of antifreeze can also be determined “by eye”. Staining litmus pink will indicate that there is an excess of acid in the test liquid (pH is in the range from 1 to 5), and this is direct evidence of counterfeit.
The blue color of litmus paper will indicate a pronounced alkaline environment with a pH> 10, therefore, such an antifreeze or antifreeze is also a fake, moreover, of disgusting quality.
If the litmus turns green, you should know that you have antifreeze of decent quality with an acid-base balance of pH ranging from 7 to 9.
Hydrometer
In addition to measuring the density of the electrolyte, modern aerometers can determine the freezing point of antifreeze. Such hydrometers have a scale graduated in degrees next to the density scale.
Having typed antifreeze or antifreeze into the hydrometer with a rubber bulb, it is necessary to determine the line of contact of the test liquid with the hydrometer rod. The presence of the line in the region of the green scale will indicate the crystallization temperature of antifreeze in the range from -30 to -40 0 С.
If the indicator points to the red scale, then the coolant has partially lost its properties and will begin to crystallize at temperatures from -20 to -30 0 C. The temperature range from -10 to -20 0 C corresponds to the yellow scale.
If the test liquid in the hydrometer comes into contact with the hydrometer rod in the region of the blue scale, such an antifreeze should be replaced immediately, since it has become completely unusable and will behave like ordinary water.
Trial freeze
Having typed 100-150 ml of the test liquid into a small plastic bottle, it is necessary to squeeze the bottle a little before tightening the cork, releasing air from it - suddenly the antifreeze turns out to be fake ...
Antifreeze, aka coolant, plays a key role in the proper functioning of a vehicle. Its main task, as the name implies, is to cool the engine. If there is not enough antifreeze in the tank, there is a high risk that the car. This is fraught with many problems for the engine at once, so such a problem cannot be allowed. The driver is obliged to monitor the level of antifreeze in his car, and in this article we will look at how to do this correctly.
How to check the coolant level
The tank into which the coolant is poured is located under the hood. Every driver can easily find it, since such a tank is most often very roomy. Accordingly, it is necessary to control the level of antifreeze for this tank, but it is important to do it correctly.
Please note: Now all car manufacturers use closed-type radiators. Whereas earlier there were plugs on the radiators that could be unscrewed to see the coolant level.
Checking the coolant level is extremely simple - just look at the expansion tank and analyze how much liquid is in it. But here you need to know some rules:
- Check the coolant level only on a cold engine, because only when the engine is at rest, then all the antifreeze is in the tank;
- On the tanks of almost all modern cars there are special marks by which the amount of coolant should be controlled. Most often, there are two such marks - MAX and MIN, that is, the maximum and minimum allowable level of antifreeze for the proper operation of the car engine.
Please note: If there are no marks on the expansion tank of your carMAX andMIN, you should follow the principle that the coolant should be filled halfway up the tank. If the expansion tank is located inconveniently, in order to accurately determine how much liquid is currently inside the tank, you can use a regular stick to control the amount of liquid along its length.
There are situations when the expansion tank of the car has only one inscription -MAX orMIN. In this situation, you should be guided by the basic principles:
- The amount of coolant in the vehicle must never fall below the MIN mark;
- If it is not possible to determine the MIN mark, then the amount of antifreeze in the expansion tank should not fall below 1 cm from the MAX value.
Remember that it is dangerous as an insufficient amount of antifreeze in the expansion tank, as well as beyond. If there is not enough coolant, the motor runs the risk of overheating, which can lead to serious consequences, up to the need for a major overhaul. If there is a lot of coolant, there is a high risk that during the movement, when the liquid begins to expand under heating, it will knock out the tank cap.
How often to check the antifreeze level
Since it is not possible to determine the coolant level from readings on the dashboard or on-board computer in every car model, many drivers forget about the need to control the level of antifreeze.
Such an indicator as the density of antifreeze is especially relevant for assessing the composition of modern coolants. Density directly indicates the percentage of ethylene glycol (propylene glycol) and water. And this is a paramount indicator of the ability of antifreeze to withstand low temperatures.
Density of antifreeze
Almost all modern antifreezes are made on the basis of alcohol (one of the variations of glycol) and distilled water. The ratio of glycol to water determines the resistance to low temperatures.
There is a paradox here that is important to understand. For ethylene glycol antifreezes, the rule does not work: the higher the concentration of glycol, the more frost the mixture can tolerate. Pure ethylene glycol has a freezing point of just -13°C. And such a high freezing threshold of the coolant is achieved by mixing with water.
Up to a concentration of glycol in the composition of approximately 67%, an improvement in low-temperature properties occurs. With this ratio, maximum resistance to freezing is achieved. Next comes a gradual shift of the pour point towards positive temperatures. There are tables that detail the properties of various concentrations of glycols and water.
The density of antifreeze does not depend on its color. As well as the freezing point. It doesn't matter if we study the density of green antifreeze, yellow or red, the resulting values \u200b\u200bwill not be correlated with color. The color rather determines the composition of the additives and the applicability of antifreeze for various cars. However, there is currently some confusion in this system. Therefore, it is impossible to focus solely on color.
At the moment, the most popular antifreezes are: G11, G12, G12 +, G12 ++ and G13. For all coolants, the density varies depending on the pour point (glycol concentration). For most modern coolants, this figure is at the level of about 1.070-1.072 g / cm 3, which approximately corresponds to a freezing temperature of -40 ° C. That is, antifreeze is heavier than water.
Device for measuring the density of antifreeze
The density of antifreeze can be measured with a conventional hydrometer. This is the most suitable device. You just need to find a version of the hydrometer, designed to measure the density of glycol mixtures.
The hydrometer consists of two main parts:
- flasks (with a rubber tip on one side and a pear on the other) for taking antifreeze inside;
- float with scale.
Inside the hydrometer, which is directly designed to measure the density of antifreeze, there is usually a hint insert. Not only the density is marked on it, but also the concentration of glycol corresponding to it. Some, more modified versions, immediately provide information on the freezing point of the antifreeze under study. This eliminates the need to independently search for values in the table and makes the procedure itself faster and more convenient.
How to measure the density of antifreeze at home?
The procedure for measuring with a hydrometer is quite simple. It is necessary to draw enough antifreeze into the flask from the canister or directly from the cooling system to float the float. Next, look at the float. The level to which it sinks will indicate the density. After measurement, it is enough to compare the density with the concentration of ethylene glycol, corresponding to this density, or with the pour point.
There is another way to measure density at home. This will require fairly accurate scales (you can use kitchen scales) and a container with a volume of exactly 1 liter. The density measurement procedure in this case will consist of the following steps:
- we weigh the empty container and record the result;
- pour exactly 1 liter of antifreeze into this container and carry out one more weighing;
- subtract the tare weight from the gross weight and get a net net of 1 liter of antifreeze;
This will be the density of antifreeze. The method can claim accuracy only if the scales are guaranteed to show the correct mass, and the container holds exactly 1 liter of liquid.
