There are a huge number of different antifreezes. They are used in different systems, so they may have specific properties. They prevent the liquid from boiling quickly, and are also capable of not freezing at sufficiently low temperatures.
The additives that make up the refrigerant or heating fluid determine their service life. The correct use of such products is also of great importance. To do this, you need to know how to dilute antifreeze (concentrate). There is a certain methodology that should be followed in the process of carrying out such actions. After all, antifreeze concentrate is designed to be diluted before use.
General characteristics
Antifreezes of various types are used in many powertrains and systems. Such substances can protect the system from overheating or freezing. They are used in the automotive industry, in heating systems, cooling systems and otherobjects.
Many manufacturers produce antifreeze in the form of concentrates that must be properly diluted. This will lower the crystallization temperature of the substance. Therefore, you should find out how to properly dilute the antifreeze concentrate before using the substance.
Most liquids contain ethylene or propylene glycol. Manufacturers also add various additives to the composition that improve the operation of the units and prevent their wear. They will protect the system from corrosion and increase the wear resistance of internal surfaces.
Need to dilute antifreeze
There are two types of antifreeze on sale. It can be a concentrate, or a substance ready for use. The need to dilute antifreeze with water lies in its full cooling property.
If the refrigerant is used in the hot season, the water from the mixture will evaporate faster, the same concentrate will remain inside the system. The ethylene glycol included in it will adversely affect the details of the system.
Combustion of fuel in the engine occurs at temperatures above 2100 degrees. Without forced cooling, the parts would be hot enough to exceed the oil's flashpoint. All mating surfaces would wear out extremely quickly.
However, the question of how to dilute the antifreeze (concentrate) must be resolved in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. too strongcooling can also harm the system. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a thermal regime of 85-95 degrees.
For heating systems it is also important not to exceed the limits of vaporization. Therefore, the establishment of the upper temperature limit for such substances is also at the level of 95 degrees.
Chilling action
In order to properly dilute antifreeze for a car engine or heating system, it is necessary to take into account the lower limit of the crystallization temperature of the substance.
So that the liquid does not freeze at a temperature of -30 degrees, many products of this type contain ethylene glycol. When mixed with water, you can achieve an indicator of the beginning of crystallization at -36 degrees.
If the temperature drops too low, the liquid will become viscous and will not damage the engine or radiator. To understand how to dilute antifreeze for heating, you should refer to the instructions on the package. If an emergency shutdown of heating occurs in a private house, the liquid in the heating system will not allow pipes to break from too low a temperature.
Boiling antifreeze
Besides the cooling effect, the liquid can prevent too much vaporization. Here it is also very important to read the instructions on how to dilute antifreeze correctly.
If the system overheats, its further operation will be impossible. It is possible that even after cooling, its elements will not be able to work correctly due to serious damage. Therefore, forTo prevent such situations, you should also understand how to properly dilute antifreeze for an engine or heating system.
Additives and substances included in the composition of the liquid make the boiling point much higher than that of water. This guarantees that the antifreeze will not boil away quickly in the summer and the heating system will not overheat in the winter.
Varieties of antifreeze and its manufacturers
To know how to properly dilute the antifreeze (concentrate) of such brands as Kostrol, Shell, Tosol-Sintez and others, you need to pay attention to the class of liquid.
If it is G11 antifreeze, its color will be green, blue, light green. The service life of such products does not exceed 3 years. Substances marked G12, G12-plus have red, orange, purple paint. They do not contain silicates that cause rust formation processes. Their additives increase the service life of the substance up to 7 years.
Classes G11 and G12 cannot be mixed with each other. They have very different ingredients. Only G12-plus antifreeze can be added to both of these types of concentrate.
The most popular manufacturers, according to consumer reviews, today are brands such as Mobil, ZIC, Shell, Tosol-Synthesis, Castrol. Antifreeze (concentrate), which every motorist should know how to dilute, is ideally diluted with water.
Water for dilution
For diluting antifreeze, both concentrate and finished liquids, suitablespecial distilled water. It is impossible for these purposes to use its pharmacy variety. And even more so, you should not use water from a water supply system or a river, lake, well, etc.
Inappropriate substance will contain mineral s alts. Such substances will form scale during operation.
To decide how to dilute antifreeze with water, if there is no special liquid available, you should resort to another method. Ordinary tap water should be boiled over a fire for about half an hour. This will remove substances that interfere with the operation of the system from it.
Some manufacturers claim that plain water will work for their products. This is easy to check by pouring a similar liquid into the antifreeze. Check the result after 48 hours. Cloudy water or sediment indicates the need to use distillate.
Choice of concentration
When deciding how to dilute antifreeze for heating systems, car engines and other systems, you should pay attention to the temperature regime of the fluid.
Regular concentrate has a freezing point of -65 degrees. In ordinary life, such conditions do not occur. Therefore, the following must be done.
- Dilute the concentrate with distillate in a 1:1 ratio. This will increase the crystallization temperature to -40 degrees. This is enough even for harsh winters.
- If you take 2 liters of antifreeze and 3 liters of water, then the freezing pointrise to -30 degrees.
- A 1:2 ratio will give a liquid with a crystallization boundary of -20 degrees. Depending on the climatic latitude, one of three methods should be chosen.
Don't dilute the concentrate too much. This will reduce the effect of the additives and degrade the quality of the fluid.
Step by step instructions
To understand how to dilute the antifreeze (concentrate) and then replace it in the system, you should read the step-by-step replacement instructions.
First, the old antifreeze should be drained. To do this, unscrew the radiator cap and the drain valve from below. The system is then flushed with distilled water. We need to let her work a little and drain the waste fluid.
After the above manipulations, add a properly diluted antifreeze concentrate to the system. To do this, you must take into account the recommendations listed above. In summer, more water will be required. But in winter, the level of crystallization of such a substance should be at least -20 degrees.
Having become familiar with the technology of how to dilute antifreeze (concentrate), replacing the used fluid with a new one will not be difficult. By acting in accordance with the above recommendations, you can ensure the correct operation of the system and its long life.
