2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
The coolant needs special antifreeze these days. Checking the freezing point can significantly extend the life of the engine.
In a car, low temperatures don't just pull the battery. The engine and cooling fluids also do heavy work on the cold days. While the washing water for clean windows is almost automatically in the driver's view, the coolant, which is supposed to protect the engine from heat death, ekes out its existence in secret. This water also needs a special anti-freeze agent so that it remains liquid at low temperatures. Otherwise, the expansion of the frozen water can cause lines and, in the worst case, the engine block to tear.
Correct addition lowers the freezing point
With the right addition, the freezing point is lowered considerably and the unit is adequately cooled even in extreme situations. A frost protection tester can be used to determine the temperatures up to which the vehicle's cooling water remains liquid. The device, which is available from accessories stores or hardware stores for around five euros, is held in the water in the expansion tank. Using a pump ball, water is then sucked into a glass flask and the existing frost protection temperature can be read off a scale.
The level of the cooling water can be read from the scales on the differential housing. However, the correct value is only displayed when the engine is warm. If the level is too low and coolant has to be refilled, special care is required: The system is under pressure and can spray out if the lid is opened quickly. (SP-X)
