How to choose a coolant
Choosing the right coolant is very difficult. There are a lot of fakes with glycerin and methanol on sale. It is difficult for an average buyer to distinguish a counterfeit product from a high-quality one. There is no information about prohibited substances in the composition on the labels of fakes, such goods are cheap. Low-quality liquid harms engine oil, which begins to oxidize many times faster than it should. And corrosion, which begins to progress in the car, leads to rotting of radiator tubes, pump impellers, and other unpleasant consequences.
This can be avoided if the manufacturer faithfully adds the necessary additives. They make up 3-10% of the total mass of the liquid, this insignificant amount significantly affects the quality of the cooling mixture. With antifreeze additives, it serves for several years, the risk of corrosion is significantly reduced.
Types of antifreeze
Antifreezes are divided into several types, depending on the additive package:
With organic additives (carboxylate)
With a mixture of organic and inorganic additives (hybrid)
With inorganic additives (silicate)
Note that the opinion that the color of antifreeze is characteristic of a coolant of different quality is a myth. Remember – the color does not affect the technical characteristics in any way. Manufacturers use different dyes – that's why antifreeze has different shades. Do not choose the coolant by color, so you will not get the desired result. Initially, the bright shade of antifreeze was supposed to help the driver. Antifreeze flows out, the motorist sees the characteristic color smudges and understands that the cooling system is flowing.
When refilling the coolant, do not follow the same color rule. If green antifreeze was previously poured into the car, there is no guarantee that a green liquid from another manufacturer will fit. The safest option is to completely replace the antifreeze with a new one, following the tolerances and instructions of the car manufacturer.