The main differences between Tosol and Antifreeze

Not everyone knows what the difference between Tosol and antifreeze is. After all, the term antifreeze means frost resistance, and applicable to all cooling fluids, including Tosol. But, if the toosol can be called antifreeze, then the inverse terminology in our case is not applicable. The question arises: how is antifreeze from antifreeze?

We turn our look into the past to understand what the difference between these coats. Several tens of years ago, when only domestic cars were moved along our roads and all consumables for them were also domestic, as imports, including automotive, was a big rarity, even a wonder, Tosol appeared.

He appeared at the time when the Volga automotive plant was built (VAZ), and the number of happy motorists began to increase dramatically. At the dawn of motorism, when motor engines were not made from aluminum alloys, the use of ordinary water (or distilled) was justified due to its cheapness.

True, in the frosty winter days it was necessary to merge, and before launching a motor to pour again into the cooling system, which was not entirely convenient. To avoid this procedure, alcohol - ethylene glycol began to add to the water. At the same time, water is rather aggressive from a chemical point of view. It leads to the appearance of scale on the elements of the cooling system and, as a result, to a decrease in thermal conductivity. Water does not have a lubricating effect that does not affect the functioning of the pump. Finally, water causes corrosion of metallic engine elements and cracking rubber parts (seals, couplings, etc.).

Therefore, by Soviet specialists working in the state aircraft, in the department called organic synthesis technology, the composition of the coolant was developed, intended mainly for VAZ engines. From the first three letters of the laboratory name and went this name - Tosol. The two recent letters are simply a characteristic end in the designation of chemical compounds.

The name turned out to be quite successful and was subsequently nominal for all cooling fluids of the time, which led to confusion. Nobody wondered, what is the difference in antifreeze and antifreeze and how to distinguish antifreeze antifreeze.

Differences in the composition

And antifreeze, and Tosol are cooling fluids (coolant) having some differences. They can be distinguished in high thermal conductivity, low freezing temperature (depends on the concentration of the coolant), a high booster temperature, the presence of lubricating properties, the absence of a destructive effect on rubber and metal elements of cooling systems.

Then, how to distinguish Tosol from antifreeze? The easiest way to see the difference between antifreeze antifreeze is to pay attention to the additives contained in them that give the necessary properties of the coolant. In Toslas only contains inorganic additives, and in antifreeze - organic. This is mainly the most important than the antifreeze antifreeze.

This gives special properties to these fluids. Tosola additives are formed over the entire surface of the metal elements of the cooling system, a thin protective anti-corrosion film having a very high thermal conductivity. This somewhat reduces the efficiency of the cooling system, which is why the engine wear is raised and the fuel consumption is growing. Tosol loses its cooling properties by approximately 30 thousand mileage kilometers and requires thus replacement after 2-3 years of operation.

Antifreeze acts selectively, and the protective film is formed only at problem places subject to corrosion. Due to this, the engine cooling is more efficient. Also, the plus is a long shelf life of antifreeze, which is designed for mileage to 250 thousand kilometers (approximately 5-6 years of intensive operation).

I hope that this information helped you figure out what the difference between Tosol and Antifreeze.

It should be paid to the fact that different types of coolant can be mixed with each other, although it is possible.

Mixing can lead to the most unexpected and unpleasant consequences. To avoid them, cooling fluids are painted in different colors (each type of coolant corresponds to its color). Therefore, we recommend mixing the coolant only one color.

If you decide to change one type of fluid on another, then after draining the old liquid from the system, I strongly recommend producing a mandatory two-three-time flushing of the entire cooling system with distilled water with the addition of a special cleansing mixture.

I hope my tips helped you, and you already know what the difference between Tosol and Antifreeze.

Video "How to distinguish Tosol from Antifreeze"

In this video, the motorist tells a lot of interesting facts about antifreeze and Toslav, what is the difference between them, and what are the production technologies.