What is better to fill in the engine cooling system. Coolant - how to keep the engine cool? Which is better to use, antifreeze or antifreeze

Very often, novice car enthusiasts not only do not attach much importance to the car, but also generally have no idea what is generally flooded there in the case of their own car. This attitude is frankly striking and discouraging. After all, not only depends on the right choice technical condition machines, but also your own health. Today we will talk about what better antifreeze or "Antifreeze" in comparison with each other.

Background

In principle, such a dispute could arise only in our country, since only in our country such a classification of this type of liquids is practiced. The fact is that "Tosol" is the same antifreeze, but Russian production... Because of this, many motorists are extremely wary of its performance, preferring not to pour this composition into expensive and high-quality cars.

It is fair to say that the risk of "running into" a fake in this case is really quite high, but foreign antifreeze is faked a little less often. So the very formulation of the question of what is better antifreeze or "Tosol", when comparing their qualities, is not too correct. It is foolish to compare the same liquid. You can change this topic somewhat: the better (or worse) the domestic coolant in comparison with its foreign counterparts?

To answer this question, you need to know the theoretical part. Of course, it is impossible to learn everything about antifreeze and antifreeze from such a brief material, but most important information you can get it for sure.

General operating information

As practically everyone testifies automotive experts, at least 20% of all cases of engine breakdowns are directly related to the coolant, and another 44% are indirectly. Therefore, its correct selection will help save a lot of money, since overhaul engine is an event that is difficult to classify as particularly cheap (especially at current exchange rates).

As a rule, everything in its composition contains ethylene glycol compounds (very rarely propylene glycol), as well as water and a huge amount of additives, the only purpose of which is to prevent corrosive processes. And here the dog is buried: the actual difference between the mixtures of different manufacturers is precisely in the sets and composition of additives that are used in the production of products.

In principle, it is they that constitute the main commercial secret of manufacturers, since all properties of the products they sell depend on these substances.

What should you focus on in the first place?

To answer the question, the better antifreeze or "Antifreeze" for your car, it is important to read the instructions or service book, in which the manufacturer is obliged to give full information about the preferred type of coolant and the nuances of its use. Often, Western companies indicate specific brands of antifreeze that should be used in their vehicles. They have passed the entire range of studies and tests, and therefore are guaranteed not to harm your car.

Enough of the lyrics, though. It is important for us to find out what is better antifreeze or "Antifreeze" if we compare these liquids with each other. In order to answer this question, you must be aware that these formulations are produced using three different technologies.

• Traditional... In this case, additives are used, created on the basis of salts of inorganic acids (i.e. silicates, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, etc.).
• Carboxylate (OAT)... If you understand chemistry, you will understand that in this case, on the contrary, salts of organic acids (carbonates, to be more precise) are used.
• Hybrid... In this case, the coolant is created on the basis of a package of organic additives, which contain a small amount of silicates and / or phosphates.

So which antifreeze is better, why? But now we come to the most important thing. The domestic one is produced according to the traditional scheme, while the imported one is made according to the carboxylate technology. Accordingly, in order to understand their strengths and weaknesses, you should know the similar characteristics of the compositions. We will analyze eight main features that appear in the daily operation of the engine of any car.

To interfere or not interfere?

By the way, is it possible to mix Tosol with antifreeze? If you carefully read the information above, then you yourself already know the answer. No, you shouldn't do that. What's more: look at the colors of different types of antifreeze from different manufacturers. Another tip. Before (or "Antifreeze") thoroughly flush the engine with distilled water. The new composition can be poured only after a completely clean liquid flows from the cooling system.

Mixtures even from the same company, but having a different color, should not be interfered categorically. But even compositions from different manufacturers, but the same in color, can be added to one another. Nothing catastrophic will happen in this case. So you found out if it is possible to mix "Antifreeze" with antifreeze.

Coolant replacement procedure

It is always a good idea to repeat the coolant change procedure.

• We place the car so that its front part has a slight downward slope.
• Unscrew the plugs and drain the liquid into a previously substituted container with a wide neck.
• The cooling system is flushed with ordinary distilled water, to which it is desirable to add a special cleaning mixture. Pour water, tighten all the caps and plugs. After that, you need to start the car and full power turn on the interior heater. Let it work for at least ten minutes.
• The spent solution is drained, the procedure is repeated two or three more times.
• We fill the antifreeze receiver 2/3 with the composition and, leaving the plug open, we start the car engine. This will remove all air pockets from the system. We wait all the same ten minutes, add antifreeze to the required level, close the tank.

Engine cooling efficiency

At first glance, traditional technology is good because it mechanically protects the metal from corrosion. How? These compounds form a layer up to 0.5 mm thick, which, having settled on the surface of the parts, prevents the development of corrosion processes.

But the thermal conductivity of this film is so bad that the cooling of the engine can be reduced by 50%, which is not good. Simply put, the domestic "Tosol" can often act as an excellent insulator! The engine begins to overheat systematically (albeit not critically), and this leads to its operation in conditions to which it was not technologically adapted. It wears out faster, fuel consumption rises sharply and power drops.

In this respect, they are clearly in the lead. They also form a protective layer, but its thickness does not exceed 0.0006 mm (60 angstroms). This film has practically no effect on the process of heat removal from the engine, and therefore it does not overheat. So what or "Antifreeze"? How to choose between two types of liquids, is it really possible to navigate only by this characteristic? Of course not.

Coolant life

Experts say with confidence that in almost 90% of cases, when it comes to domestic antifreezes, silicates and nitrites are mainly used as additives. Silicates in this case are added in order to protect aluminum, while nitrites work effectively against cavitation erosion.

Of course, the composition of the coolant is optimally balanced. But if it happens that some component is consumed, "Tosol" quickly loses all its properties, and therefore poorly protects the engine from both overheating and corrosion. The fact is that due to high temperatures and other factors, silicates and nitrites almost completely precipitate after 30-35 thousand kilometers. Accordingly, the coolant after this period loses all of its properties almost completely.

On the other hand, fluids made on the basis of organic salts practically do not decrease their qualities throughout their operational period. The additives practically do not precipitate, the solution remains practically homogeneous throughout the entire period of use. So, many foreign antifreezes can be operated normally for two years (at least 100 thousand kilometers).

But! We warn novice motorists in advance that the replacement of the coolant ("Antifreeze" or antifreeze) should be carried out in a timely manner, and not after the composition turns into something completely unsightly.

Protection of aluminum and in conditions of high temperatures and increased loads

It is no secret that the modern automotive industry attaches increasing importance to the use of aluminum and alloys based on it. In particular, even engines are made from these materials. It must be said that our coolants are very poorly combined with aluminum, since they practically do not protect this substance from destruction under extreme temperatures and loads.

Researchers have found that at temperatures above 105 degrees Celsius, "Antifreeze" practically ceases to protect aluminum. Actually, because of this feature of it, it has not been used for a long time by manufacturers of all leading car brands.

On the contrary, carboxylate compositions in this area show the highest possible performance. Experts, having conducted numerous tests for dynamic corrosion in various conditions, found that high-quality antifreeze will allow the engine from aluminum alloys to operate 45-60% longer.

Service life of the liquid pump

It is known that the main reason for the failure of a liquid pump is hydrodynamic cavitation. Simply put, this is the formation of numerous gas bubbles in the liquid and their rapid collapse at the working surfaces of the mechanism. As a result, materials are subjected to a real hydrodynamic attack every second, which contributes to the rapid destruction of the metal. Caverns form over time and parts fail.

In this case, I would like to recommend not to "lead" on the proclamations of manufacturers. The laws of physics cannot be fooled, and therefore there is practically no difference between antifreeze and "Antifreeze". Antifreeze cannot provide any increased protection in this case.

Cavitation protection of engine liners

Cylinder liners of automobile engines are also affected by high-temperature cavitation. In this case, "Tosol" shows itself better. We have already said that it forms a thick protective film, which is much more effective in preventing metal destruction.

Stability of composition and properties

Silicates, which are used in the production of "Tosol", have an unpleasant habit of passing into a gel-like state. Phosphates, which are also part of this type of coolant, tend to precipitate with frequent heating and cooling cycles. Together with the gels, all this forms a "hellish mixture", which completely clogs the radiator and interferes with the normal operation of the cooling system. car engine... On the contrary, liquids based on carboxylate compositions are completely devoid of such disadvantages.

Compatible with plastics and elastomers

In the cooling system modern machines plastic, elastomeric, rubber and silicone elements are widely used. Carboxylate formulations do not have any negative effect on these materials. However, high-quality "Antifreeze" also does not destroy rubber, plastic and silicone, so in this respect the compositions are practically equal.

This is also evidenced by long-term studies of domestic and foreign car manufacturers, which could not identify any significant differences in this area.

So which is better: "Antifreeze" or antifreeze, and how to distinguish them? In general, everything is simple. For older cars with cast iron engines, there is not much difference. Perhaps, in this case, "Tosol" is more suitable (due to the low price). Visually, it is impossible to distinguish between these compositions, one has to rely solely on the honesty of the manufacturer. Therefore, we recommend buying coolants only in specialized stores.

There is nothing wrong with using Tosol instead of antifreeze, but overpaying for a cheap liquid sold under the guise of a more expensive one is always unpleasant.

Some ways to differentiate

However, there are still some ways. So, some "experts" advise to taste the composition: it is believed that "Tosol" is sweetish, since it contains a lot of ethylene glycol. But we would strongly advise against using this method, since all engine cooling fluids are poisonous (to one degree or another). How else can you distinguish between "Antifreeze" or antifreeze? How do you know what is in the tank?

If it is possible to pour a small amount of the composition into some vessel, do it and look at the process: in its "texture" "Antifreeze" is more like vegetable oil, while antifreeze is most like ordinary water. Remember that the color of the composition does not say anything, since it depends only on the dyes that you can add any (which is what the sellers of fake products use).

Thus, in most cases, antifreezes are in the lead. This is especially true for new cars that have been released in the past few years. So we practically answered the question of which is better: "Antifreeze" or antifreeze (and why). It remains to clarify a few small details.

Caring for the environment

Here the carboxylate formulations show top scores... And the point here is not so much in their chemical composition as in banal logic. They need to be changed much less often, and therefore much less harm to the environment is caused. Finally, yes, from the point of view of chemistry, carboxylate mixtures are still much better, since they are easier to dispose of so that they do not harm the environment.

So you learned which is better: antifreeze or "Antifreeze", is it possible to interfere with these mixtures, what are their characteristics. We hope you find our recommendations useful.

Coolant is a chemical used in the engine cooling system that has improved freezing and boiling characteristics, which allows the vehicle to operate in any outside temperature air. Traditionally, all coolants are called antifreeze, which is not entirely correct, since, despite the identity of the main components, antifreeze and antifreeze differ in composition, and this significantly affects their performance.

What is the difference between antifreeze and antifreeze

All coolants for cars are based on a mixture of ethylene glycol and distilled water, which determines their main properties - a low freezing threshold and a boiling point of about 100 o C. The main difference lies in the set of additives:

1. Antifreeze- a type of coolant made by domestic manufacturers according to traditional technology. It contains ethylene glycol and water with additives of inorganic acids. The liquid is intended for cooling systems of domestic cars and loses its properties after heating to 105 ° C.

2. Antifreeze- liquid made by foreign manufacturers using carboxylate technology. In addition to water and ethylene glycol, it contains additives based on organic acid salts. In comparison with antifreeze, it has increased anti-corrosion, anti-cavitation and anti-foam properties. It is successfully used in cooling systems of both foreign and domestic cars.

It is impossible to distinguish antifreeze from antifreeze by visual signs. Some motorists have the misconception that antifreeze is only a light blue hue, although it can be painted in dark blue, green, and even pink. To do this, pay attention to the manufacturer of the liquid: if it is produced in Russia, then it certainly cannot have a carboxylate composition.

The difference is determined after a thorough study of the composition. Antifreeze contains nitrates, phosphates, silicates, borates and amines, and antifreeze contains additives from organic acid salts. Also, liquids differ in boiling point: the domestic one boils after 105 ° C, and the carboxylate one - after 115 ° C. The term of use of antifreeze- up to 40 thousand km of run, while antifreeze can be used without replacement up to 240 thousand km.

Benefits of using antifreeze

Most motorists prefer antifreeze when choosing a coolant for the following reasons:

1. Increased cooling efficiency, due to a more perfect composition of additives. Antifreeze creates a protective layer only in areas that have corroded.
2. Possibility of long-term operation with the preservation of all basic properties.
3. Good protection of aluminum parts high temperature cooling systems.
4. The water pump operates in a gentle mode, which is achieved by the use of carboxylates, which protect it from hydraulic shocks during cavitation.
5. Chemical inertness, thanks to which new connections are not formed in the cooling system, metal, rubber and plastic surfaces are not damaged.

Can antifreeze and antifreeze be mixed, what will happen if you mix?

Both liquids - antifreeze and antifreeze are made using different technologies, and you can't mix them... If the car was operated with antifreeze, and its owner decided to switch to antifreeze, the cooling system is completely cleaned before refilling from traces of old coolant.

When mixing antifreeze and antifreeze, a chemical reaction occurs between the additives, as a result of which some compounds coagulate with precipitation, which can clog the channels and ducts of the cooling system. This will lead to overheating of the engine and subsequent costly repairs due to excessive oil consumption due to stuck piston rings.

Antifreezes have different compositions and are subdivided into mineral(class G11), organic(G12), and lobrids(G12 ++, G13). The difference between them lies in the additives:

1. Antifreeze is classified as a mineral antifreeze with a period of operation of 50 thousand km or 2 years of use.
2. Organic can be operated up to 5 years or 250 thousand km of run.
3. Lobrids can be combined with any other cooling fluids, and without fear, add to new engines.

Is it possible to add water to antifreeze and antifreeze

Mixing antifreeze and antifreeze with distilled water is permissible, since there is about 70% of it in the coolant. But a change in concentration changes their properties towards a worsening of the freezing threshold, which in severe frosts can cause breakdowns in the form of a torn engine, radiators, and damaged pipes.

Even not frozen, but crystallizing antifreeze can cause a radiator to leak. The addition of water can be justified only if it evaporates, which changes the composition of the liquid towards an increase in density. This should be done by first draining the antifreeze from the engine into the container, in order to pour it back into the system after mixing.

What does the color of the coolant mean?

Antifreeze or antifreeze must be used based on the characteristics of the cooling system of a particular car, since different manufacturers cars use various materials for its manufacture:

1. Red antifreeze made for use in radiators made of brass or copper.
2. Green antifreeze suitable for radiators made of aluminum and aluminum-based alloys.
3. Antifreeze better to use on domestic cars with outdated cast iron engines.

If, during operation, the coolant has acquired a brown or rusty tint, this also indicates that its properties have been lost, and rust is not controlled by inhibitor additives, and the quality of engine cooling deteriorates. For the longest possible service life of antifreeze or antifreeze, you must follow the recommendations of the manufacturer, and fill in exactly the liquid that is indicated in the vehicle operating manual.

It happens that car owners do not pay enough or do not pay at all to the issue of the condition of the coolant in the cooling system. Moreover, there are cases when motorists do not even know what is poured into it. This behavior is highly undesirable, because it depends on the state of the cooling system stable work the motor as a whole.

In the video below, an overview and comparison of the general properties of antifreeze and antifreeze:

Coolant properties

However, car owners often face the question of what to fill, antifreeze or antifreeze! Below, we will tell you in detail about this, and we will figure out which is better. Such competition and conditional division of the coolant into antifreeze and antifreeze exists only in Russia.

After all, "TOSOL" is a Soviet Union non-freezing liquid, and now this word is a household word.

The main component of any modern "TOSOL" is ethylene glycol, and as a rule it is painted in two colors: blue - with a freezing point of -40C , and red - able to withstand frost down to -65 degrees Celsius .

And the concept, antifreeze is the common name for fluids that can operate at negative temperatures in engines. internal combustion and also as anti-icing fluids in aviation. The composition of antifreeze, as a rule, includes: propylene glycol (non-toxic substance - approx.), Ethylene glycol, glycerin, as well as various additives that protect against corrosion.

Making the right choice means a lot

Judging by the various experiments carried out by the most advanced and well-known automobile publications, it is safe to say that more than 20% of all car breakdowns directly depend on the quality of the filled coolant, and about 40% of breakdowns indirectly affect this. Therefore, the choice of such fluids is a responsible and important process, because the right choice of coolant can save both money and time in the future.

Difficult choice between antifreeze and antifreeze

In order to choose the right coolant, it is recommended to study in detail the manual from the manufacturer, in which it is most often written what type of coolant is intended for the car. Such instructions are always supported by successful tests of these formulations, specifically for each type of car engine. In addition, the recommendations may include a class of liquids that are produced using the following technologies:

• Traditional - The coolant created using this technology contains additives from inorganic salts such as nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, etc.
• Carboxylate - The coolant created using this technology already has additives from organic salts, carbonates, which interact much better with the internal parts of the engine.
• Hybrid- this technology was created to create a kind of carboxylate technology with the addition of inorganic acids. This is done to reduce the cost of the final product.

As you could understand, antifreeze is a liquid created using traditional technology, and antifreeze, using a carboxylate technology, which has clear advantages over the first.

Pros and cons of antifreeze

As it became clear, antifreeze has a number of advantages, below we will describe each of them in more detail. Antifreeze has many advantages over antifreeze, which you should definitely familiarize yourself with:

Heat dissipation

Coolants that are created using traditional technology (TOSOL - approx.) Are capable of creating a protective film on the metal surface in the engine, which sometimes can reach dimensions of 0.5 mm. Despite the fact that this actively contributes to the protection of the metal from the effects of corrosion, heat transfer can deteriorate by up to 50%.

If a low-quality coolant is filled, then scale can damage the water pump and impair the operation of the cooling system as a whole.

Antifreeze in this case is used as a heat insulator and does not allow the engine to cool down properly under normal conditions. And during operation, it makes it work at a much higher temperature, which leads to wear of parts, and a decrease in engine thrust. In this case, you have to.

Antifreeze in this regard works much more productively, since a protective layer is formed only where corrosion is possible, bypassing the rest of the surface, without interfering with stable heat transfer.

Lifetime

The service life of antifreeze, in comparison with antifreeze, is much longer, because during the production of antifreeze, nitrites and silicates are used, designed to protect against erosion and corrosion, which in case of violation of their composition very quickly lose their properties. And this can happen due to an unbalanced flow of one of the components.

Vehicle mileage cannot exceed 30-40 thousand kilometers of run without.

And antifreeze, created according to its technology, allows you to use the additives correctly, without using them in vain, which can double the mileage of the car compared to its analogue.

Interaction with metals

Various metals, including aluminum, are used as a structural material of the engine for the VAZ-2114.

Crystallization schedule

However, such a metal does not combine well with antifreeze when exposed to temperatures exceeding 105 degrees Celsius. This is due to the fact that the additives included in its composition are not able to protect the metal under such heating. What can not be said about antifreeze, because the carboxylate technology does an excellent job at both high and low temperatures.

This table, showing the superiority of antifreeze over antifreeze, is a complete confirmation of this.

It has been proven that antifreeze for the pump is better than antifreeze

Using antifreeze instead of antifreeze can almost double. And this is due to the ability of antifreeze to reduce hydrodynamic cavitation by almost 50%, due to its chemical composition.

A good example of a new and old pump.

Cavitation- This is a process that occurs during the movement of the coolant in the system, when, due to constant movement, small gas bubbles first appear and then collapse. And at the moment when they pass through the blades of the pump, hydrodynamic micro-shocks occur, which negatively affect it.

Destruction of water pump blades due to cavitation effect

And with such a prolonged operation, a similar reason can serve as the destruction of parts of the blade. Despite the fact that it is impossible to completely get rid of such a process, the use of antifreeze significantly reduces.

Radiator

Since various silicates are used in the production of antifreeze, they lead to the formation of gel-like particles in the liquid, which can precipitate or settle in the radiator. In this case, you will need, respectively, or. These breakdowns can simply damage the cooling system as a whole, due to a violation of the order of heat exchange.

Inside view of a clogged radiator.

In the production of antifreeze, a similar picture is not observed, the formation of unnecessary parts for the occurrence of blockages is not performed.

Plastic elements

In the cooling system of the VAZ-2114, in addition to metal elements, products made of plastic, rubber, elastomer in the form of pipes, sensors, etc. are actively used. And according to the experiments carried out, the use of antifreeze with open contact with them does not in any way affect the work as a whole. It was found that such a coolant is absolutely neutral and does not oxidize in any way and does not change its properties upon contact.

High temperatures

Despite the fact that most engines, including the VAZ-2114, are designed for an increased load, most types of coolant created using traditional technology begin to lose their properties already at 105 ° C... Whereas antifreezes are able to actively protect the engine until the temperature reaches 135 ° C with pressure in 3 atmosphere.

Of course, no one will bring the motor to such parameters, however, with either a thermostat followed by a boiling of the motor, the use of antifreeze will be justified. Can I have some more .

Impact on the environment

Due to the rare frequency of replacing antifreeze, the amount of liquid to be disposed of is significantly reduced. In addition, it has a much smaller amount harmful substances and elements corresponding to the smallest hazard class for humans and the environment, because of this their ecological class is so high.

conclusions

We have described all the reasons why the use of antifreeze in VAZ-2114 engines will be much more effective. After reading this article, you should do right choice and, if necessary, carry out full replacement in your car's cooling system. How to carry out this work correctly is described in detail in this article.

What is better to choose for a car: antifreeze or antifreeze? Today, almost no one has any difficulties with this question. Burnt-out fans of the Soviet car industry confidently pour good old antifreeze into their "Vases" and "Gases", and the owners more modern models on the contrary, they are afraid of antifreeze like fire and prefer antifreezes, although they are 3-5 times more expensive. Why it happens?

Let's see what is the difference between antifreeze and antifreeze, which of them is better, what the scope of their application depends on, what types of these fluids exist, how to choose them and whether they can be mixed.

So, if someone suddenly does not know, then antifreeze is the same antifreeze. Yes Yes! And it would be more correct to write "TOSOL" rather than "antifreeze". The abbreviation is taken from the name of the department in which they were developing domestic counterpart the first foreign antifreeze:

TOC - Technology of Organic Synthesis;

OL - the ending of the names of alcohols in chemistry (ethanol, methanol).

A little bit from the history of antifreeze

Antifreeze was invented in the USSR about 40 years ago, when the engines of the new Zhiguli line turned out to be incompatible with the only type of antifreeze (imported) Paraflu 11, which existed in those years. That antifreeze suffered from a low alkalinity reserve and abundant foaming, which led to accelerated corrosion of the metal elements of the Soviet-made cooling system.

It took 3 years of research and experiments to create such an antifreeze that would meet all the requirements then existing. The final sample did a good job of cooling, was designed for year-round use, and did not break down metals as quickly as Paraflu 11.

There were few varieties of this antifreeze, but for each of them its own GOST was developed, which strictly regulated not only the composition, but also the color of the liquid. There was no need to doubt the quality of the product.

Since the 90s, the production of antifreeze using the original technology was stopped, and then numerous private companies engaged in its production, which were free to change the recipe at their discretion. No research on this matter has been carried out anymore, no one has seriously engaged in improving the properties of antifreeze.

So today, each manufacturer himself determines the composition of antifreeze, so the liquid different brands can vary greatly in composition, color and quality. As a rule, it comes in two colors: blue and red.

• Blue antifreeze is designed for temperatures down to -40 degrees.
• Red down to -65 degrees. It has a higher concentration of alcohol.

Antfreeze and its types

In the composition of all antifreezes, there are 3 main components:

1. Dihydric alcohol (ethylene glycol or propylene glycol).
2. Water (distilled).
3. Additives.

The temperature characteristics of antifreeze depend on the ratio of water and alcohol. Additives define the "face" of the liquid. They affect a number of factors. Here are the main ones:

• the ability of the fluid to resist corrosion of metals and the destruction of elastomers;
• protection of the engine against cavitation;
• coolant efficiency;
• stability of antifreeze and its service life;
• environmental friendliness.

The quality of antifreeze depends on the additives. Depending on the composition, antifreeze is divided into the following types:

• G11. Class of traditional (silicate) antifreezes. In fact, the Russian antifreeze is just G11. The role of additives is played by cheap organic substances: silicates, phosphates, borates, nitrates, nitrites, amines. This antifreeze will form a microfilm inside the cooling system. It protects surfaces from corrosion, but also serves as an obstacle to heat transfer (reduces heat transfer by 20%). Service life - less than 3 years (usually requires replacement after 2 years). Most often, G11 is found in green, but it is often blue (turquoise), yellow, orange, or red. Buyers choose it mainly, like our antifreeze, for old cars (up to 96 years of production) with a large volume of the cooling system, as well as for trucks.
• G12. Carboxylate antifreeze... Usually red. It has the same basis with G11 (and, consequently, with antifreeze), but here the main additive (carboxylic acid) allows reaching a qualitatively new level of cooling and protection of engines of high-speed cars. The additives are devoid of an enveloping effect and are characterized by a point effect on the foci of erosion. On the one hand, due to this, the coolant does not form a heat-insulating film and therefore does not interfere with heat exchange processes in the engine. On the other hand, erosion protection is targeted. It "turns on" only when this very erosion has already appeared. G12 is perhaps the most popular type of antifreeze today. It is changed every 4–5 years.
• G12 +. It is a hybrid antifreeze (Lobrid), in which the organic base is supplemented with a small amount of mineral additives. Compared to the G12, this variant has a more gentle formula. G12 is a transitional step from organic to inorganic. Produced for 10 recent years, traditionally produced in red. The service life is the same as that of the G12.
• G12 ++. An even more improved variation of G12 antifreeze. Its fundamental difference is its increased service life. Manufacturers claim that such a coolant can work without replacement for more than 10 years.
• G13. This is a fundamentally new type of antifreeze. It is found in violet color. Unlike G11, G12, G12 + and G12 ++, together with water, its basis is not ethylene glycol, but a safer alcohol - propylene glycol. The G13 is ideal for regular city cars as well as "forced" sports cars and bikes. It is less toxic and therefore more environmentally friendly. Manufacturers do not limit the service life of this ultra-modern antifreeze.
• G13 +. Improved version of G13. There is no fundamental difference between these two types of antifreeze. The main focus is on sustainability.

If there is an opportunity to choose, then, of course, antifreeze is always preferable to antifreeze. Naturally, in this case, by antifreeze, we mean liquids of class G12 and higher.

If you ask the price of coolants in a car shop, the difference is obvious: a 5-liter canister of a substance labeled "Antifreeze" will cost around 300-650 rubles. While for the same G12 canister you will be charged 1400-1900 rubles. And for the G13, you will have to pay about 3,500 rubles at all.

With such a difference in price, every motorist at least once in his life thinks about choosing antifreeze instead of antifreeze. But it is wrong to focus on the price.

Modern cars all without exception require the use of a coolant with a tolerance index of G12 and above. And it has reinforced concrete foundations.

So, antifreeze is better than antifreeze for the following reasons:

1. It improves the efficiency of the cooling system. No heat-insulating microfilm - no overheating. No overheating - no accelerated wear engine.
2. It is more resistant to high temperatures. Antifreeze perfectly withstands high temperatures and does not boil in the summer heat. There are many organic additives in antifreeze, which already at a temperature of 105 degrees begin to actively decompose, forming a sediment and contaminating the sensors. There is also a risk, due to the boiling of antifreeze, to get on the road on a hot summer day.
3. It protects parts and assemblies of the cooling system. Modern antifreeze gives less cavitation than Soviet antifreeze. At the same time, it promotes rapid heat dissipation. Accordingly, metals are less susceptible to erosion. This practically one and a half times extends the service life of the radiator, liners, water pump.
4. It is less aggressive towards plastic, silicone and rubber parts of the cooling system. Consequently, it is possible to save money on replacing pipes and gaskets.
5. It is more stable in its properties. Unlike antifreeze, antifreeze does not form gels, does not give sediment. This happens both at high and low temperatures. Due to this, it does not clog the radiator and performs its functions longer.

Well, the last factor in favor of antifreeze is that no car manufacturer will forgive the consumer if he suddenly starts using a coolant that does not meet the recommendations in the technical documentation.

Try to choose antifreeze instead of antifreeze, and when you contact a factory representative due to a breakdown of the motor, pump or radiator, you will simply be denied warranty renovation works... Does it make sense to save on fluid that way, which, by the way, you change only 2-3 times over the entire life cycle of the car, if as a result you have to spend so much on repairs?

In old cars, antifreeze does a good job with its tasks. Here, its destructive effect on the details is weakly felt, because this transport always requires attention. Among the endless breakdowns, it is difficult to single out those that occurred specifically due to the use of antifreeze.

But in modern brand new cars, any deviation from the norm is noticeable. If ordinary antifreeze is poured into the engine of such a car, gradually the liquid will corrode the liners and blades of the water pump, disable the radiator or "eat" the pipes. The reason for this is not only the chemical composition of antifreeze, but also its reduced heat-conducting functions, as well as the tendency to form sediment.

Our trucks are traditionally cooled with antifreeze, and there is no violation here. For example, in the official documentation of "Kamaz" there is permission to use G11. This may seem strange to many, but everything is logical. Trucks equipped with diesel engines, and the temperature in such engines is always lower than in gas engines. Therefore, on diesel engines, the G11 does an excellent job with the functions assigned to it.

The ideal option is to choose antifreeze or antifreeze of the same brand that was filled in at the factory and which is indicated in the documents. Even if the car warranty has already expired. As a rule, companies recommend coolants from trusted brands, and you can be 100% confident in their quality.

Few people know that the choice of antifreeze also depends on the type of radiator. For example, green fluids are recommended for aluminum radiators, and red ones for copper and brass radiators. But since different manufacturers can paint antifreeze in the color they want, choosing only by color is not entirely correct. So it's better to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

For very old cars, it is allowed to choose antifreeze (G11). Moreover, it was developed specifically for them. Also, instead of antifreeze, you can use antifreeze G12 or even higher. However, more often than not, there is no point in overpaying. Refuel your Zhiguli with ordinary antifreeze and don't worry.

It is worth noting that the G 12 ++, G13 and G13 + are very expensive and often completely pointless pleasure, even when it comes to imported sedans and crossovers. Undoubtedly, the higher the antifreeze tolerance index, the better. But do we really need it ?! Antifreeze of this quality was created in Europe and for Europe, where the main emphasis, as always, is on the environment. In Russia, this is still a long way off.

Everyone decides for himself what to choose. Of course, it is tempting to fill your car with G12 ++, G13 or even the "eternal" G13 + instead of G12, so that you will never think about replacing the "cooler" later. But few people are ready to pay 2-3 times more for this right now. Moreover, THAT new car and so every time it costs a pretty penny.

You need to buy coolant in a large proven store. This makes it less likely that you will stumble upon a fake. About 20% of car breakdowns are associated with the use of "problem" antifreeze.

It is important to examine the packaging. The canister should not be transparent, and a crookedly glued label may indicate that the production of the product was carried out in artisanal conditions. If you notice a leak, immediately refuse to buy this product. If the company saved on plastic, it would be foolish to expect high quality antifreeze from it.

If there is any doubt about the safety of the chosen "chiller", right in the store after purchase, check it with a litmus test. Alas, this test does not allow you to determine the content of additives, but it does show the pH level.

If the bar turns green, the acid-base balance of the antifreeze is normal. If it turns blue, there is too much alkali in the solution, if it turns pink, the permissible acidity is exceeded.

You are unlikely to be allowed to check the coolant before buying, but after the purchase you can immediately show the seller the test results and demand a refund if the product turns out to be of poor quality. At the very least, you will no longer start pouring this product into your car.

However, you need to understand that you can write anything on the label. And on the market, even for a lot of money, you can slip a dangerous "palette" which will have a very negative effect on the cooling system. Therefore, it is so important to buy antifreeze fluids exclusively in trusted stores and only those brands in which you are sure.

The question of whether it is possible to mix antifreeze different types and colors, occurs quite often. There is only one answer: it is by no means worth doing it deliberately. First, the old liquid is drained, then the cooling system is flushed, and after that fresh antifreeze or antifreeze is poured into it.

However, there are times when it is necessary to add antifreeze, and suitable brand was not at hand. In such a situation, you have to mix liquids from different manufacturers, and sometimes of different classes.

G12 ++, G13 and G13 + are advised not to interfere with anything. It is allowed to add G11 or G12 to antifreeze, it is also permissible to mix G11 and G12 from the same manufacturer, even if they are of different shades.

However, it is important to remember that different antifreeze manufacturers use different additive packages. Combining, these additives begin to enter into chemical reactions together. The result of mixing liquids can be quite unexpected. There is a threat of catalysis of corrosion, sediment formation, clogging of the radiator and pipes.

It is not worth driving with such a "cocktail" for a long time. As soon as it becomes possible to pour normal antifreeze into the engine, be sure to do this. Do not forget to completely flush the cooling system.

You can get more information about antifreezes, their classification, characteristics, as well as the requirements for them. There you will also read about little-known types of antifreeze and their features.

Both antifreeze and antifreeze can be poured into the engine cooling system, but the failure of the cooling system will lead to a breakdown of the internal combustion engine within a matter of minutes.

Therefore, it is necessary to clearly understand which is better, antifreeze or antifreeze and is there a difference between these coolants?

We will not be guided by complex technical terms and concepts, but we will analyze this issue in a language that is accessible to most car owners.

Varieties of coolants

In Soviet times, when the need to develop our own special liquid designed for heat removal in modern internal combustion engines, the Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology of the USSR was developed new composition... It was named "Antifreeze".

Engine cooling circuit

In fact, it was almost a complete analogue of foreign options for coolants, the so-called antifreezes. That is, Soviet antifreeze and Western antifreeze were interchangeable substances, but with different names.

That is, any of the coolants could be poured into the car from the beginning of the second half of the 20th century with equal success.

The composition of these fluids included the following components:

• distilled water;
• ethylene glycol;
• additive package.

The first fluids had the simplest set of additives that prevent foaming, increase the temperature threshold of freezing and act as corrosion inhibitors.

Experiments have shown that if you pour antifreeze into the system instead of water or a simple ethylene glycol mixture with distilled water, this has a positive effect on the condition and service life of the pipes, cooling jacket, radiator and other elements.

After that, a new composition for removing heat from the internal combustion engine went into mass production.

Existing differences in the composition of the coolant

Modern antifreeze is somewhat different from the composition that was originally incorporated into this concept during development.

In addition to water, ethylene glycol and standard antifoam and protective additives, a special component is added to it in greater quantities than before, which forms a thin layer, resistant to chemical influences, on the walls of the entire system.

Existing types of antifreeze

The fact is that the main component that resists freezing and boiling in antifreeze is ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is a chemical aggressor.

Therefore, the development of an additional healed system from the effects of this alcohol was a necessary measure. However, the formed film somewhat reduced the intensity of heat removal.

Antifreeze can be standard blue or pale red. Blue is used at temperatures down to –40 ° C, red - up to –65 ° C.

That is, this means that these fluids can be mixed with each other without consequences. Antifreezes of class G12 (red) differ from antifreeze and G11 compositions by the additive package.

Here, organic compounds are used to protect the system from the aggression of ethylene glycol, which do not form an additional film, but act directly on the places of corrosion formation. This has a positive effect on the ability of G12 antifreeze to dissipate heat.

Antifreezes G12 + and G12 ++ (also red, like G12) use combined additives that combine the above two mechanisms of protection against chemical destruction of the system by ethylene glycol.

However, the resulting protective film in this case is much thinner than that of the G11. This allows the antifreeze to more intensively remove heat from the cooling jacket and release it to the atmosphere.

The most perfect for today is G13 antifreeze.(purple or poisonous yellow). Its key difference is the use of polyethylene glycol as a base.

Polyethylene glycol differs in that it is much less aggressive to the cooling system and is not as strong a poison for humans as ethylene glycol. The additives are similar in composition to the G12 + and G12 ++ fluids.

Application area

The eternal question: what is better to fill in the cooling system, antifreeze or antifreeze? Much depends on the brand of the car and the features of the cooling system.

Used antifreeze that needs to be replaced

For example, it is known that for VAZ it is better to use antifreeze (up to the Vesta model). This is due to the fact that when designing a car, the engine was calculated specifically for domestic coolants. It will not be a mistake to use more expensive antifreezes. However, this solution is much more expensive.

For example, ordinary antifreeze, designed for temperatures down to –40 ° C, costs about 10 times less than high-quality G13 antifreeze. Despite the fact that the service life of antifreeze is approximately 2 times longer, the financial difference remains significant.

For imported cars, it is better to fill the radiator with antifreeze, which is recommended by the car manufacturer. It is strictly forbidden to use products with the G11 index for systems designed for G12 and higher. This can lead to overheating of the engine.

Conclusion

In general, when choosing what to use, antifreeze or antifreeze, it is necessary to be guided by the car's service book. If the manufacturer does not focus on any particular fluid, and the car engine is large and low-speed, then antifreeze or a simple import version like G11 can be used.

For small-displacement high-powered engines, especially in cars that are less than 10 years old, in the absence of information about the required type of coolant, it is better to use the more universal options G12 + and G12 ++.

What to fill in antifreeze or antifreeze, video from the autoblogger