Antifreeze Does More Than Prevent Freezing

Recently, most parts of the country have seen sharp temperature drops, and the plunge poses a challenge to automobile engine cooling systems; cars need high-quality antifreeze to protect their "hearts." Our reporter learned that some car owners have misconceptions about antifreeze and its use — for example, substituting water or alcohol for antifreeze, or mixing antifreeze of different types at will. Such practices seriously affect the "health" of engines.
Antifreeze Does More Than Prevent Freezing
According to experts at Kunlun Lubricants, antifreeze is a coolant containing special additives, mainly used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. Its main function is to prevent the coolant from freezing in cold winter conditions, which could burst the radiator or damage the engine cylinder block or head, while effectively preventing boiling and "overheating" when temperatures are high in summer. In addition, high-quality antifreeze also protects against scale and corrosion year-round. Therefore, the view held by some car owners that antifreeze is only needed in winter is mistaken; antifreeze is best used in all four seasons.
Substitution and Mixing Do Real Harm
For convenience, some car owners use alcohol or baijiu instead of antifreeze in winter and switch to water in summer. Experts warn that this not only damages the car but can even create safety hazards. On one hand, alcohol has a low boiling point, is flammable and volatile, and under high temperature and pressure inside the vehicle it can easily cause overheating and even combustion; on the other hand, long-term use of an alcohol solvent without anti-corrosion additives can cause corrosion, scaling and vapour lock. Water, meanwhile, corrodes the various metal components of a car's cooling system.
Beware of Counterfeits When Choosing Antifreeze
The market currently offers many antifreeze brands, and off-brands — including counterfeit and substandard products — account for more than 50% of the market share. Experts advise choosing well-known brands to give your car better care: well-known brands have higher technological content and guaranteed quality, and their anti-counterfeiting measures make it easier to distinguish genuine from fake. For example, Kunlun Star antifreeze produced by Kunlun Lubricants uses four-fold anti-counterfeiting technology, so consumers who check carefully based on the relevant information can provide solid protection for their car's cooling system.