The better the antifreeze, or "Antifreeze"? Can you mix "Antifreeze" antifreeze?

Very often novice drivers not only do not attach much importance to the engine cooling system of the car, but generally have no idea about what is out there drenched in their own car. This attitude is frankly staggering and discouraging. Because the correct choice depends not only on the technical condition of the car, but also your own health. Today we will talk about what is better antifreeze or “Oily” in comparison with each other.

Prehistory

In principle, such a dispute could arise only in our country, so as soon as we have practiced such a classification of this type of liquids. The fact that “Oily” - the same antifreeze, but Russian production. Because of this, many motorists with extreme caution with regard to his performance, preferring not to fill this part in expensive and high-quality cars.

It is fair to say that the risk of “bump” of forgery in this case really is quite large, but foreign antifreeze forge a little less. So the question itself about what is better antifreeze or "Antifreeze" if you compare their quality, is not quite correct. It is foolish to compare the same liquid. One can reinterpret this topic: the better (or worse) domestic coolant in comparison with its foreign analogues?

To answer this question, we must know the theoretical part. Of course, learn all about antifreeze and cooling liquids from the short material is impossible, but the most important information you can obtain certainly.

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General operational information

As evidenced by almost all automotive experts, not less than 20% of all cases of engine failures associated with the coolant fluid directly, and another 44% - indirectly. But because the right selection will help save a lot of money as overhaul of engine — an event which is difficult to classify particularly cheap (especially with current exchange rates).

As a rule, all fluids in its composition contain compounds of ethylene glycol (very rarely propylene glycol) and water and huge amounts of additives, the sole purpose of which is the prevention of corrosion processes. And here ‘tricky”: the actual difference between mixes of different manufacturers in sets and the composition of additives used in the production process.

In principle, they constitute the main commercial secrets of the manufacturers, as these substances depends on all the properties they sell products.

What should I focus first?

To answer the question, what is better antifreeze or "Antifreeze" for your car, it is important to read the manual or service book, which the manufacturer is obliged to give full information on the preferred type of coolant and the nuances of its use. Western companies often specify a particular brand of antifreeze to use in their cars. They passed the whole range of studies and tests, and therefore is guaranteed to not harm your machine.

But enough poetry. It is important for us to know what is better antifreeze or "Antifreeze" if you compare these liquids with each other. In order to answer this question, you should know that these compounds are produced according to three different technologies.

• Traditional. In this case, use additives created on the basis of salts of inorganic acids (i.e., silicates, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, etc.).
• Carboxylate (OAT). If you are good in chemistry, you will understand that in this case are, in contrast, salts of organic acids (carbonates, to be exact).
• Hybrid. In this case, the coolant is generated on the basis of the package of additives of organic origin, which contain small quantities of silicates and/or phosphates.

So which antifreeze is better, why? But now we come to the point. Domestic produced according to the traditional scheme, while doing the import on carboxylate technology. Accordingly, in order to understand their strengths and weaknesses, you should know the same characteristics of the compositions. We will examine the eight main features that appear in the daily operation of the engine of any car.

Interfere or not to interfere?

By the Way, can we mix “Oily” with the antifreeze? If you carefully read the information set out above, then you already know the answer. No, don't do that. Moreover, look at the colors of various types of antifreeze from different manufacturers. Another tip. Before you change the antifreeze (or “Oily”) thoroughly flush the engine with distilled water. The new composition can be poured only after the cooling system will drain completely clear liquid.

Mixtures even from the same company but have different color, interfere with strictly not necessary. But even formulations from different manufacturers, but same color, it is possible to add one to another. Nothing catastrophic in this case will not happen. So you know if you can prevent “Oily” with antifreeze.

Procedurereplace coolant

It is Always useful to repeat the procedure for coolant change.

• Put the car so that the front of it had a slight slope down.
• Unscrew the plug and drain the fluid ahead of time in the bottle with a wide mouth.
• The cooling System is rinsed with distilled normal water in which it is desirable to add the special cleaning compound. Water fill, spin all caps and plugs. You must then start the car and at full capacity to turn on the heater. Run it for at least ten minutes.
• The used solution is drained, the procedure is repeated two or three times.
• 2/3 filled, the receiver of the antifreeze composition, and leaving the plug open, start the car engine. This will allow to remove from the system all air traffic. Waiting for all those ten minutes add the antifreeze to the proper level, close the tank.

The cooling efficiency of the engine

At first glance, the traditional technology is good that mechanically protects the metal from corrosion. How? These compositions form a layer with a thickness of 0.5 mm, which, settling on the surfaces, prevents the development of corrosion processes.

That's just the conductivity of this film is so bad that the engine cooling can be reduced by 50%, which is not good. Simply put, domestic “Oily” often can act as a great insulator! The engine begins to overheat systematically (though not critical), and this leads to its operation in the conditions to which it is purely technically was not suited. He wears out faster, increases fuel consumption and decreases power.

Carboxylate liquids in this regard is clearly in the lead. They also form a protective layer, but its thickness does not exceed about 0.0006 mm (60 Angstrom). This film has virtually no effect on the process of removing heat from the engine, but because he doesn't overheat. So what is better antifreeze or “Oily”? How to choose between the two types of liquids, is it possible to rely solely on this feature? Of course not.

Usage Life coolant

Experts say that almost 90% of the time, if we are talking about domestic antifreeze, as additives, mainly used silicates and nitrites. The silicates in this case are added, in order to protect the aluminum, while the nitrates are effectively working against cavitation erosion.

Of Course, the coolant is optimally balanced. But if happens that an item is consumed, "Antifreeze" quickly loses all of its properties, and so poorly protects the engine from overheating and corrosion. The fact is that due to the high temperatures and other factors, silicates and nitrites almost completely precipitates already after 30-35 thousand kilometers. Accordingly, the coolant at the end of this period all of its properties loses almost completely.

Of the Liquid is made on the basis of organic salts practically does not reduce its qualities throughout its operational period. Additive practically does not precipitate, the solution throughout the period of use remains almost homogeneous. So, many foreign antifreeze can normally be operated for two years (not less than 100 thousand kilometers).

But! Advance warning beginner motorists that the replacement of the coolant ("Antifreeze" or freeze) should be performed in a timely manner and not after the composition turn into something quite ugly.

Protection of aluminium and aluminium alloys in conditions of high temperatures and high loads

It's No secret that the modern automotive industry, more importance attaches to the use of aluminium and alloys on its basis. In particular, these materials are made even engines. I must say that our fluids are a very bad combination with aluminum, as they practically do not protect a substance from destruction in extreme temperatures and loads.

The Researchers found that at temperatures above 105 degrees Celsius "Antifreeze" practically ceases to protect the aluminum. In fact, because of this features it is no longer used by the manufacturers of all the leading automotive brands.

On the Contrary, the carboxylate compounds in this area demonstrate the highest possible performance. Specialists, having numerous tests on the dynamic corrosion in various environments, found that high-quality antifreeze will allow you to operate the engine of aluminum alloys 45-60% longer.

Lifetime liquid pump

It is Known that the main reason for the output of liquid pump out of the system is hydrodynamic cavitation. Simply put, it is the formation of numerous gas bubbles in the liquid and its rapid collapse at the working surfaces of the mechanism. As a result, the materials are subjected to every second of this hydrodynamic attack, which contributes to the rapid destruction of the metal. Over time, cavities formed, and parts fail.

In this case I would recommend not “to be” on the proclamation of the manufacturers. The laws of physicsdeceive, but because the difference between the antifreeze and ‘Antifreeze" there is practically no. No increased protection of the antifreeze in this case can not provide.

Protection of engine liners from cavitation

Detrimental effects of high temperature cavitation are also subjected to cylinder liners of automobile engines. In this case it manifests itself "Antifreeze". We have already said that it forms a thick protective film that much more effectively prevents the destruction of metal.

Stability of the composition and properties

The Silicates, which are used in the production of "Antifreeze" have a nasty tendency to go into a gel state. The phosphates which are also part of this type of fluids tend to precipitate with frequent cycles of heating and cooling. With gels it all adds up to “mine”, which fully clogs radiator and prevents normal operation of the cooling system of the automobile engine. On the contrary, liquids based on carboxylate compounds such faults are completely deprived.

Compatibility with plastics and elastomers

In the cooling system of modern vehicles are massively used plastic, elastomeric, rubber & silicone items. Carboxylate compounds do not have these materials with no negative impact. However, high-quality "Antifreeze" also does not destroy rubber, plastic, and silicone, so that in this respect, the compositions are almost equal.

This is also evidenced by many years of study of domestic and foreign car manufacturers, who were unable to identify any significant differences in this area.

So which is better: "Antifreeze" or antifreeze, and how to distinguish them? In General, it's simple. For older cars with cast iron motors special there is no difference. Perhaps, in this case a more suitable “Oily” (due to low prices). Visually to distinguish between these compounds is impossible, we have to rely solely on the honesty of the manufacturer. And therefore recommend to buy a cooling fluid only in specialized stores.

There is nothing wrong to use instead of antifreeze “Oily”, but to overpay for cheap liquid sold under the guise of a more expensive, is always unpleasant.

Some of the ways differentiation

However, some ways still is. So, some “experts” advised to try the squad for the taste: it is believed that "Antifreeze" sweet, because in its composition there are a lot of glycol. Here only to use this way we would be strongly advised, as all of the liquid for cooling the engine are poisonous (in varying degrees). How else can you distinguish between "Antifreeze" or antifreeze? How to know what is filled in in the tank?

If you have the opportunity to pour a small amount of the composition in some vessel, do it and look at the process: the “texture” “Oily” is more similar to vegetable oil, while the antifreeze stronger just looks like plain water. Remember that the color of the composition or about what does not speak, as it depends only on dyes that you can add any (and what are the sellers of counterfeit products).

Thus, in most cases, lead coolants. This is especially true of new vehicles launched in the past few years. Here we have answered the question about what is better: "Antifreeze" or antifreeze (and why). It remains to clarify a few small details.

Environmental concerns

Here carboxylate formulations show the best results. And it's not so much their chemical composition as in the logic of the banal. They need to change much less frequently, and therefore harm to the environment applied significantly less. Finally, Yes, from the point of view of the chemistry of the carboxylate mixture is still much better as they are easier to dispose of, that they do not harm the environment.

So you know, what is better antifreeze or “Oily”, can you mix these compounds, what are their characteristics. Hope our advice was useful for you.