What is Antifreeze Made Of?
Our technicians in the Salt Lake Valley Buick GMC service center are often asked, “Is antifreeze coolant?” While coolant and antifreeze are used interchangeably, coolant is technically a mixture of antifreeze and water. Commonly, you’ll find coolant mixtures of 50% antifreeze and 50% water. However, more potent and expensive coolant mixtures can contain 70% antifreeze and 30% water. Antifreeze itself is composed of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Although most vehicles take green antifreeze, it can also be found in a pink or orange color, depending on its properties. When buying antifreeze, purchase the color recommended by your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
What is Antifreeze Used For?
While the names suggest the opposite, antifreeze or coolant are used to help regulate your engine’s temperature. To keep your engine running at a safe temperature, antifreeze is stored in the radiator and circulated throughout your engine from a reservoir in the engine bay. The coolant is used to move combustion-generated heat away from the engine and back into the radiator. The hot coolant is cooled by air to remove excess heat and sent back to the engine through the water pump to repeat the process.
Why is Antifreeze Important?
Antifreeze is one of the more important fluids in your vehicle. It’s uniquely formulated to prevent your car from freezing in below-zero temperatures and overheating during your commute. Driving without the proper amount of coolant can cause damage to these engine components:
- Water Pump
- Engine Cylinders
- Connector Rods
- Head Gasket
If you notice steam coming out from under the hood or the hood is too hot to touch, you should
schedule service immediately to have the issue inspected.
Schedule Your Service at Salt Lake Valley Buick GMC!Now that you know about what antifreeze is, learn how to check your coolant levels to stay ahead of any issues low coolant can cause. Get a great deal on the right coolant for your vehicle with our available
service and parts specials.
