5 things to know when using car coolant

1. What is coolant?

Engine coolant is not the purified water used in daily life but a specialized liquid. The main ingredients are distilled water (purified water) and ethylene glycol coolant which has the effect of fast heat transfer, along with additives to help prevent evaporation and engine corrosion...

2. Can tap water be mixed with cool water?

Filtered water or natural water used in daily life contains many different compounds such as limestone residue, metals... Therefore, when entering the cooling system at many altitudes, it can cause residue to form in the radiator, reducing heat dissipation efficiency.

Bottled mineral water sold for drinking is also not safe because the water can cause sediment.

In emergency situations where filtered water or mineral water is required, you can still add water to the coolant tank, but then you need to go to the maintenance station immediately so that the staff can clean the radiator and add the correct solution.

3. What should I do when the car is overheating?

Pull over as quickly as possible:Check that the coolant reservoir is at the correct level. If necessary, fill the reservoir to the correct level with a mixture of distilled water and coolant (usually 50/50; do not open the radiator cap while the engine is hot).

Check engine oil:Some cars overheat when they are 25% low on oil. Remember, in hot summer months, your car may use more oil than usual.

Consider the conditions:When driving in hot summer weather, carrying heavy loads, stopping the car continuously or having to turn on the air conditioner and other loads, the car engine will overheat more than usual... But if the car starts to overheat, you must call for help and repair it promptly.

4. How often should the coolant be changed?

Experts advise that drivers should change the coolant every 40,000 - 50,000 km (about 2 - 3 years) to ensure the most effective cooling. For the first time changing, it can be longer than 50,000 km, but the next times should be regular at this frequency.

In addition, when maintaining the vehicle, especially in the summer, it is necessary to regularly check the water level in the tank. If it is lower than the standard level, it needs to be refilled; check the cooling system because there may be a leak.

5. How to choose coolant

Normally, car coolant includes 3 main types: blue coolant, pink coolant (SLLC) and red coolant (LLC)....The main difference between coolants is the chemical composition that makes them up.

Blue - no need to mix but pour directly, water type;Red (LLC) - mixed with purified water in a 50:50 ratio;Pink (SLLC) - usually has a higher durability and does not need to be mixed with filtered water, this water is poured directly into the bottle.

Do not mix coolants together. Add coolant of the same color as the engine during maintenance.

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