Is it possible to mix antifreeze with antifreeze?

Cars with internal combustion engines require a cooling system that can be filled with any liquid: water, antifreeze, antifreeze.

The content of the article:

Differences between antifreeze and antifreeze

Today, three types of coolants for internal combustion engines are used: water (distilled or pure rainwater), antifreeze and antifreeze.

Antifreeze is the name of the liquid (translated as “anti-freeze”) for the engine cooling system, which does not freeze and can withstand high temperatures.

Standard composition of antifreeze for cars:

Water.
Ethylene glycol.
Glycerol.
Alcohol.
Acid salts or carbonate additives.

Composition of antifreeze:

Water.
Anti-corrosion additives.
Burates and phosphates.
Alcohols.
Glycols.
Nitrites.
Silicates.
Nitrates.

Differences:

antifreeze was invented later than antifreeze;
Antifreeze is better in terms of environmental friendliness;
The boiling point of antifreeze is higher;
The freezing point of antifreeze is lower;
Antifreeze provides better protection against corrosion.
Antifreeze forms a protective film, but antifreeze does not, and therefore antifreeze cools much more efficiently.
The service life for which antifreeze is designed is 6 times less than that of antifreeze.
antifreeze protects engine cylinder liners from cavitation (air bubbles).
The service life of the pump (pump) is significantly reduced if antifreeze is used.
antifreeze does not clog radiators, and various types of deposits do not form.

The main disadvantage of antifreeze is that when heated to 105 degrees, its properties deteriorate.

Antifreeze boils when heated to 115 degrees and does not leave sediment in the channels and can be used for up to 250,000 km.

What happens if you mix antifreeze with antifreeze?

Firstly, the question is why mix these two different refrigerants. Well, various circumstances happen on the road, for example, there is an antifreeze leak and after eliminating the leak, you need to add antifreeze. But there is not always a canister of antifreeze in the trunk, and here they sell antifreeze nearby on the side of the road. You have to buy it and top it up to continue moving forward.

Or, as often happens, sooner or later after buying a used car, you have to top up the coolant, and then the driver asks the question: what was filled in before? Color is easy to determine, but classes are difficult. In such cases, experts recommend, again, not to save, but to drain the old fluid and fill in the new one in full. It is even possible that the old one has expired.

But, let's look at what happens after adding antifreeze to antifreeze

From the composition we know that they only have in common water and, perhaps, a standard (ethyl alcohol). And each manufacturer adds different additives and additives in different quantities.

Therefore, when mixing antifreeze and antifreeze, a sediment may form that will settle in the channels and on engine parts, which will gradually reduce the life of the internal combustion engine.

Nothing bad will happen when adding antifreeze to antifreeze if their components are basically the same, but this cannot be checked with your own hands without a chemical laboratory.

Based on the above, we conclude that if you already had to mix antifreeze and antifreeze, then upon arrival, it is better to drain this liquid, do a complete flush of the engine cooling system and fill in a new homogeneous mixture. Here, the cost of new antifreeze will save a lot of money, effort and time.

Is it possible to mix different brands of antifreeze?

Let's start with what classes of antifreeze there are. This:

Antifreeze G11 is a liquid of inorganic origin and contains silicates. Available in blue or green colors. Suitable for old cars.

Antifreeze G12 is a liquid of organic origin. Produced in pink and red flowers.

Antifreeze g11 and g12 what is the difference

G11

The difference between antifreeze g11 and g12 is that inorganic G11 contains substances that protect against corrosion (inhibitors). Thanks to corrosion inhibitors, a film is created on parts and protects it from contact with oxygen, which causes the metal to rust.

Antifreeze GI 11 is glycol-based, that is, if you do not add corrosion inhibitors, the aggressive glycol will begin to corrode metal parts. OX G11 must be changed at least once every 2-3 years. The common color of JI-11 is green. Green G11 is the lowest class.

G12

As for G12 class antifreezes, they are based on carbosilicates. Since many parts in an internal combustion engine are made of aluminum and steel, upon contact with liquids, destructive films are formed on their surfaces.

The additives contained in GI 12 prevent the formation of a destructive film (the technology is called Long life).

The substances in G12 do not form a protective film on all surfaces of channels and parts, but only where pockets of corrosion have appeared, in order to protect against further destruction of the metal. This class of antifreeze begins to boil at a temperature of 120 degrees. Service life 5 years.

G12 antifreeze can be poured into the engine cooling system only if the engine parts are not made of non-ferrous metals. Otherwise, the carboxylate liquid will corrode them.

You can and cannot mix:

If the antifreeze contains one base, then you can mix it.
Silicate-free antifreeze should not be mixed with others.

When mixing antifreeze of different classes and brands, a reaction of the additives occurs and precipitation appears, but not immediately, but after heating to the operating temperature of the engine.

This means that these sediment particles will clog the radiator channels and settle on engine parts.

If you had to mix G11 and G12, then after that this mixture must be drained and the system flushed several times. These two classes should not be mixed.

G11 and G12 cannot be mixed. Even if you add just a little bit of 11 to 12, the 12th will lose its properties.

G12 and G12+ can be mixed, but you shouldn’t. Although they have the same base, manufacturers could add different additives that will react with each other. With the index + it only means that it is new generation. Service life 5 years or 250 thousand km.

G13 is a new class of liquid for the internal combustion engine cooling system. The main antifreeze composition is propylene glycol (for G11,12,12+ ethylene glycol). It is more expensive, but more environmentally friendly and contains fewer poisons. Used in powerful engines of sports cars and motorcycles.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze with water?

Since antifreeze contains a significant amount of water, if you add water to antifreeze, nothing bad will happen. Dilution simply occurs and concentration decreases. The more water you add, the worse the antifreeze properties will become.

But sometimes it is recommended to add water to antifreeze. This approach is used when antifreeze has boiled, causing water to evaporate and the remaining liquid in the cooling system to become highly concentrated. But when adding, you need to know the proportions. Excessive amounts of water will cause rust to appear in the cooling system.

Attention: mixing water with antifreeze is only possible in summer. At sub-zero temperatures, such diluted coolant can quickly seize and freeze.

If such antifreeze freezes, you will have to invest in repairs in the car components. Usually, when the coolant freezes, the radiator of the stove and engine ruptures, as well as pipes burst and hoses crack.

Even if the antifreeze was boiling and it became highly concentrated, it is better to add antifreeze of the same class and brand. In winter, it is safer to operate the car with high concentration antifreeze.

The conclusion about adding water to antifreeze is this: if you had to add water, then add a little.

When adding antifreeze, add only antifreeze of the same class that was added previously (G11, G12, G12+, G13) and the same color. Antifreeze class G-13 is based on propylene glycol.

Antifreeze and water can be mixed

Antifreeze contains the same elements: water and ethylene glycol. Antifreeze was invented in the USSR in 1971.

Classification of antifreeze by type:

A - ready to be poured into the car’s cooling system.
M - modernized, that is, it contains additional components.
K is a highly concentrated liquid, it will have to be diluted.

After the letters, which are divided by type, write 2 numbers - subzero temperature, at which the antifreeze will not freeze. For example, M40, or M65.

The color of good antifreeze is between blue and light blue; there is also a greenish color. Antifreeze brand A65 is red. Legal in Russia, GOST 28084-89 distributes three types of OZh-K, OZh-40, OZh-65. If there are no coolant (coolant) designations, there is only a GOST number, then it is a fake.

Consequences of mixing antifreeze and antifreeze

If antifreeze and antifreeze are successfully mixed, that is, when you are lucky, the main components of the composition of both liquids are the same, then there will be no formation of sediment and clogging of channels. But, it is very difficult to know the composition of both liquids.

If the bases of these liquids are different, then when adding antifreeze to antifreeze or antifreeze to antifreeze, the liquid may immediately become cloudy and with sediment, or this will happen after natural heating of the engine or using engine preheating.

What happens next if you mix antifreeze and antifreeze?

The resulting sediment, flakes, jelly at the bottom - all this will lead to a stop in circulation and overheating of the engine. And overheating the engine is expensive. Also, due to precipitation in the coolant, the pump, radiator and pipes may become clogged, and this leads to a more complex repair than, for example, replacing the washer fuse (a difficulty for many is how to find the washer fuse).

A stop in circulation can also occur when pouring only antifreeze, but a counterfeit one that coagulates when heated.

You can buy both antifreeze that is ready for filling, and antifreeze concentrate (highly concentrated), which must be diluted with clean water before pouring into the system. Here is a video on diluting antifreeze with water:

This video provides a clear explanation on this topic.

In this video you can clearly see how the antifreeze added to the antifreeze immediately reacted and a mountain of foam formed, releasing a caustic gas.

Source: https://autostuk.ru/mozhno-li-meshat-antifriz-s-tosolom.html

Is it possible to mix Tosol and antifreeze?

In the post-Soviet space, Tosol liquid was very common for engine cooling. Firstly, this antifreeze was almost the only one sold in auto stores, and secondly, domestic drivers at that time still trusted their manufacturer more than a foreign one. Therefore, in conversations with experienced motorists, refrigerants are still called “antifreeze.”

Refrigerants of different colors

Today you can find two types of coolant (coolant) on sale:

salt-based refrigerant (can be blue or green);
acid based refrigerant (red).

As for the composition, the basis of any coolant is ethylene or polypropylene glycol. Since ethylene antifreezes are more toxic, polypropylene glycol coolants have recently become increasingly popular.

Why interfere with the coolant? Each driver answers this question differently. For example, if there is a leak in the cooling system and the antifreeze is leaking, then the driver has to buy a different brand of coolant so as not to stall somewhere on the road. So, liter by liter another refrigerant is poured in and the compositions are mixed.

Some “garage specialists” advise car enthusiasts to mix the coolant so that there are more additives in the system.

In their opinion, this will protect the system from the effects of corrosion and decay of particles in the consumable material, but this is far from the case. This is especially true in winter.

In the summer, instead of coolant, you can even fill the system with water if there are no other options, but before the onset of cold weather it must be changed, otherwise:

the water will freeze in any case at sub-zero ambient temperatures;
if the frost is severe, the expansion tank will crack under the influence of ice;
The cooling system pipes may also crack at the joints, and this will be very difficult to detect.

Refrigerant in the expansion tank of a car

Is it possible to do this and what will happen?

Is it possible to mix Tosol with antifreeze, and what will happen if you do this? This question has probably been asked by every vehicle owner. We will try to answer this question.

First, you need to understand that you should not navigate the coolant by color, as is customary among domestic motorists. They do not need to be divided into “Antifreezes”, red and green antifreezes. When mixing, their composition is important, and color plays a secondary role. We will talk about this further. When mixing coolant, it is important to familiarize yourself with the composition of the substance being poured and the consumable being poured.

Also, do not forget that any refrigerant is a mixture of a base (polypropylene glycol or ethylene glycol) with water, dyes and all kinds of additives.

Fill "Antifreeze" into the expansion tank of the car

Each auto manufacturer uses a specific package of additives, and even in the line of one manufacturer, refrigerants may differ in composition and amount of additives. They can be:

anti-corrosion;
anti-foam;
additives to prevent the effect of antifreeze on the rubber elements of the cooling system.

And there are a lot of types of such additives. Therefore, when mixing coolant, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of each car, as well as the composition of the liquid, so that you do not end up with a “mix” of additives.

If you are still asking the question “is it possible to mix Tosol and antifreeze?”, then we will answer unequivocally: in fact, there is nothing wrong with this if the coolants have the same composition.

For example, coolant from a domestic manufacturer is more aggressive towards the channels of the cooling system. Because of this, silicate is added to it, which settles on the walls of pipes and other elements and protects them from corrosion. Traditional antifreeze does not have such a destructive effect on the cooling system, so silicate is not added to it. But it contains other additives.

Spoiled brown refrigerant

If you mix antifreeze with Antifreeze or change one consumable element to another with a different composition, then it is better to do this with a complete flushing of the cooling system.

Otherwise, the metal components of the system may corrode or sediment may form in the system, which will clog the channels and degrade the properties of the refrigerant as a whole. That is why mixing these two types of liquids with different compositions is best done as a last resort.

It is quite possible to mix Antifreeze and antifreeze if these refrigerants have the same composition but different colors.

Now let's talk about color. The color of a substance means that it is possible to mix liquids of the same color, but from different manufacturers. For example, red refrigerants can be mixed with red antifreeze - in this case, it is guaranteed that the liquid will not foam in the system and will not form a sediment that will clog it.

Which refrigerants are not sensitive to mixing? These are liquids of the “G12”, “G12+” and “G11” standards. The colors of these coolants can be yellow, blue, red, green. “G12” consumables can be safely mixed with each other (meaning different industries) and with “G 11” liquids.

Video “Mixing coolants”

This video shows an experiment of mixing refrigerants from two different manufacturers with different colors of liquids.

Did you like this material? Do you think it is useful for readers of our portal? Tell us about it!

Source: http://AvtoZam.com/dvigatel/ohlazhdenie/o-smeshivanii/

Antifreeze or antifreeze: myths and reality

Almost every car enthusiast has encountered changing the fluid in the cooling system. The process itself is not difficult. The biggest problem: what to fill? Antifreeze or antifreeze? Which is better and what is the difference between them? Is it possible to mix? Let's try to sort out these questions in this article.

By and large, antifreeze is also antifreeze, but its production is based on the use of different technology and other chemical elements. Antifreeze was invented back in the USSR. It was used to cool the engines of the Soviet automobile industry.

Power units at that time were made of cast iron. Antifreeze was developed specifically for such engine blocks. It provided effective heat transfer and prevented the formation of corrosion in cast iron engines.

The peculiarity of such motors is that they heat up much less than modern engines.

Modern cars are equipped with radiators and cooling system components made of light alloy metals. Antifreeze acts more aggressively on such elements. It causes corrosion in aluminum parts. Therefore, it is better to fill new cars with antifreeze.

It is better to fill a modern car with antifreeze than antifreeze.

Ethylene glycol is used in the production of antifreeze. It is diluted with distilled water and various additives are added to it. Imported antifreezes differ in color. There is red, blue, green, yellow.

It is a mistake to believe that color affects the chemical characteristics of the coolant. Manufacturers tint the antifreeze themselves. This is done to facilitate diagnosis of leaks in the system. You can't say red or blue is better. The main thing is not the color, but the chemical and physical properties of antifreeze.

Remember this.

If you conduct a chemical analysis of antifreeze and antifreeze, you will see that they differ in the set of additives. The chemical composition of antifreeze includes salts of inorganic acids (phosphates, nitrites, nitrates, etc.). Antifreeze is made using salts of organic acids (carbonates). It is less toxic to humans and the environment.

Classification of coolants

On the shelves of stores selling oils and liquids you can find:

Mineral antifreeze, standard G11 is indicated on the packaging.
Organic antifreeze, you will find G12 on the canister.
Universal, they are usually designated G12++.

Antifreeze is a mineral antifreeze. Imported coolants (coolants) are most often classified as organic.

Since antifreeze and antifreeze contain different chemicals, it is not recommended to mix these two liquids. Additives can neutralize each other's effects. As a result, such mixing will lead to:

loss of coolant properties;
sedimentation;
the formation of shells in the engine block;
corrosion on system components;
pump breakdown;
clogging of the cooling system.

Low-quality antifreeze corrodes metal. Antifreeze acts approximately the same way on aluminum engine blocks.

It is strictly not recommended to mix mineral and organic antifreezes. Mixing organic antifreezes of different colors is allowed, but in the future it is difficult to predict changes in the physical and chemical properties of the coolant and its behavior at different temperatures. It's all about the additives, which may differ from one manufacturer to another.

If you need to add antifreeze in an emergency, it is better to choose universal or distilled water. After the trip, replace the coolant as soon as possible and flush the system.

Video: What happens if you mix antifreeze?

To confirm the above, watch a short video about the result of mixing various antifreezes:

At the end of the article, I would like to note that a common cause of clogging and failure of the pump, radiator and pipes is low-quality antifreeze. Do not buy coolant on the road; do it better at specialized sales points.

Source: http://autozam.ru/remont-i-obsluzhivanie/tosol-ili-antifriz-mify-i-real-nost.html

Is it possible to mix antifreeze with antifreeze?

To protect the engine from frost, various liquids are used that do not turn into ice at subzero temperatures. The general name of these liquids is antifreeze, that is, anti-frost agents.

Antifreeze also belongs to antifreeze, but is a Russian product developed by the State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology of the USSR.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze and antifreeze in a car cooling system? We will answer this question in this article.

Chemical composition of antifreeze

Antifreeze is made based on two substances - ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is very cheap, which is why it is the basis of most antifreezes, including Antifreeze.

Propylene glycol is used for expensive environmentally friendly antifreeze, however, both substances are completely compatible and do not produce any chemical or physical reaction when mixed in the cooling system.

Despite the common basic substance, antifreezes differ in the additives they contain.

All antifreezes can be divided into 5 classes according to the additives they contain:

G-11 – traditional ethylene glycol antifreezes with inorganic corrosion inhibitors (salts of various acids). These include antifreeze.
G-12 – ethylene glycol antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors based on carboxylates (organic acids).
G-12+ is an ethylene glycol antifreeze that contains a mixture of carboxylates and carefully selected inorganic salts.
G-12++ is an ethylene glycol antifreeze with a corrosion inhibitor based on carboxylates and carefully selected inorganic compounds.
G-13 is a propylene glycol antifreeze, with the same additive package as G-12++.

Despite the common basis, antifreezes are distinguished by the additives they contain, which determine the quality of the coolant. After all, both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol corrode aluminum parts, so various substances are added to antifreeze to protect the metal of the engine.

Each antifreeze contains a carefully selected additive package to provide maximum metal protection. Therefore, by mixing different antifreezes, you change the composition of the coolant, which reduces the effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitor. As a result, the coolant begins to corrode the engine.

Is it possible to mix antifreezes?

You can only mix antifreeze from the same manufacturer and brand . After all, coolant manufacturers are trying to produce products for the maximum number of consumers, so they change the composition of additives even within the same class.

Thanks to this, they create products of different price categories with different properties, so you cannot mix products from the same manufacturer and class, but from different brands.

After all, in this case you will unbalance the composition of the coolant and cause harm to the car engine.

Indeed, despite its advanced age, Antifreeze is still successfully used in inexpensive engines. Therefore, when buying antifreeze or antifreeze, take them with a reserve so that you have enough for refilling and do not have to fill in another coolant. Remember - it is better to fill in and constantly top up Antifreeze than to fill in expensive antifreeze and then add another coolant.

Source: http://VipWash.ru/sistema-ohlazhdeniya/mozhno-li-smeshivat-tosol-s-antifrizom

Is it possible to mix Tosol and Antifreeze?

The main function of coolants is to warm up the engine during startup and prevent overheating during active operation. This is achieved by their physicochemical properties: the boiling point is up to 140°C, and the freezing point is up to -60°C. This feature preserves their amorphous state regardless of the time of year in which they are used.

Consequences of an incorrectly selected coolant

Due to impaired consumer properties of the coolant, the engine can easily boil

Functional properties of coolant

Appearance of antifreeze containers

The functional properties that a coolant should have include:

high heat capacity: to remove heat from the cylinder block;
cleanliness: the use of coolant should not be accompanied by deposits on the surfaces (in tubes) of the cooling system;
inertness with respect to other materials: they should not provoke corrosion within the system;
In addition to resistance to low temperatures, it is important to note that even if frozen under atypically cold conditions, the liquid should not change its volume. A change in volume within a sealed system can have a detrimental effect on its integrity;
long service life: completely replacing the fluid is a labor-intensive process. If you have a long trip ahead, it would be expensive to interrupt to change the coolant.

The difference between antifreeze and antifreeze (video + text)

False fact: the quality of antifreeze does not directly depend on its color

Antifreeze is the common name for freeze-resistant coolants. And manufacturers, in turn, give them their own commercial names, uniting them only by the indicated freezing point. Read more about antifreeze in the material: What is the difference between the main types of antifreeze.

“Tosol” is an unregistered trademark. This name was given to the type of antifreeze developed for VAZ cars. TOS is an abbreviation for “Technology of Organic Synthesis”.

Having received the prefix “ol” - a characteristic sign of the presence of alcohols (although today this is already in question), the liquid acquired its name.

Such associations still operate to this day, although this name is used by manufacturers of liquids of very diverse compositions.

Antifreeze and Antifreeze have a lot in common, but still they are different

On the one hand, today's antifreeze and antifreeze have a lot in common, but the slightest difference in composition still affects the performance properties. Therefore, they should not be called “the same thing”.

How to choose coolant. What to look for in the store

Among the variety of choices, you may find both ready-to-use and concentrated liquids. No matter how severe the weather conditions in your area, you should not risk pouring unprepared pure concentrate into the system. Always follow the manufacturer's directions for best use.

Antifreeze or Antifreeze: advice from an experienced

It is very easy to exclude a fake - even with a wide range of price levels, it is cheaper than the originals.

The cork must be intact - often in stores they fill the bottle with water!

When choosing coolant, like any product in plastic containers, pay attention to the cap - it must have an intact “seal” or other tamper-evident systems.

BMW boiled, possibly due to problems with the coolant

Also, you can easily unscrew a plug with no protection systems and check whether there is a membrane under it. Its presence is a good sign.

The information on the label should familiarize the buyer with the manufacturer, operating conditions, shelf life/production date, batch number, etc.

If the canister of liquid is transparent, then pay attention to visually assessing its contents. Sediment, cloudiness, excessive foam or heterogeneity of the liquid should immediately repel you from such a product.

Trust your sense of smell - the right coolant does not contain the smell of gasoline, oil, or diesel fuel.

How to add coolant. A little about compatibility

The level of antifreeze in the system may drop for two reasons:

evaporation of water from it;
broken system tightness.

If in the first case it is enough to add distilled water, then in the second (of course, after eliminating the leak) you should select an identical coolant.

If you are not sure what kind of fluid is in the system, it is better to completely replace the coolant.

Topping methods

You are lucky if you can find or purchase liquid from the same manufacturer. Otherwise, produced by different manufacturers, but according to the same technical specifications. conditions, antifreeze can be mixed. The specification numbers on the packaging must match. If not, then there is a high risk of incompatibility of components, and as a result, unpleasant side effects from such manipulations.

To do this, mix the liquids in equal proportions and, after mixing thoroughly, leave for an hour or two. As a result, there should be no separation, sedimentation, heterogeneity or any other sign of a change in the amorphous state.

Source: http://LifanoVod.ru/kakie-posledstviya-budut-esli-smeshat-antifriz-s-tosolom-bigbarabum-ili-xorosho/

The possibility and consequences of mixing antifreeze and antifreeze: what will happen if you mix

To understand what consequences will arise when mixing these liquids in a car’s cooling system and whether this can be done, you need to understand the difference between these refrigerants.

Compound

Different brands of coolant may differ in composition and technical features. Antifreeze is any non-freezing refrigerant designed for use in an automobile cooling system. Antifreeze is considered one of the types of coolant. Previously, this liquid was the only one in the USSR.

According to the standard used at that time, this refrigerant could be of two types:

-40. This product turned blue and froze at an air temperature of -40 degrees. The substance was used in most regions of Russia.
-65. This refrigerant was colored red and was considered “arctic”. It was used in conditions of critically low temperatures and was developed for cars operating in the Far North.

If we talk about the composition, the base of both antifreeze and antifreeze is ethylene glycol. This substance is characterized by a low freezing point.

When mixing ethylene glycol with distilled water in a 3:2 ratio, the liquid begins to crystallize at a temperature of -40 degrees. Up to this threshold, the viscosity of the coolant does not increase and the solution does not stratify.

The product may be based on propylene glycol, glycerin or monohydric alcohols.

But ethylene glycol, which forms the basis of almost all modern refrigerants, has certain disadvantages:

This substance is poisonous, so you must be careful when using it.
It is characterized by increased corrosive activity towards metal alloys, copper and aluminum. If you pour pure concentrate into the cooling system, it may damage the radiator and power unit. The pump and thermostat are especially susceptible to negative effects.

The Avto-Blogger channel published a video that details the differences between refrigerants of different standards.

To prevent such problems, coolant manufacturers add a set of additives - corrosion inhibitors - to the refrigerants.

They allow you to protect the power unit of the machine, while the service life of the product is limited. The spent substance is unable to withstand its own aggression towards steel.

Depending on the manufacturer, different types of additives are used, which determines the compatibility of the products as well as their applicability.

In the case of Antifreeze, it is not corrosion inhibitors that are used, but silicate additives that reduce the formation of rust. This supplement option is cheaper and less effective.

The service life of silicate additives averages about two years, and the product begins to lose its properties when heated to more than 108 degrees.

Due to overheating of the internal combustion engine or the pouring of antifreeze into BMW N series engines, the operating temperature of which reaches more than 100 degrees, the liquid will quickly lose its properties and in fact become useless.

The additives used in Antifreeze act on a different principle. The liquid forms a protective film on all surfaces of the cooling system where it circulates. This layer is inert and silicate. Its formation helps to reduce the level of heat transfer.

As a result, the use of Antifreeze in highly accelerated units is not allowed. If the channels of the engine cooling system are too narrow, the flow area can be reduced to a minimum parameter.

Because of this, it will be necessary not only to drain and replace the refrigerant, but also to flush the clogged channels.

Technical properties

Antifreeze and traditional antifreeze differ from each other in the following characteristics:

boiling point;
threshold for crystallization of a substance, that is, freezing;
anti-corrosion features;
lubricating properties.

The Pro Auto32 channel made a video that talks in detail about the main differences between Antifreeze and antifreeze.

All coolants are divided into organic, mineral or lobrid.

They differ in the set of additives they use:

The service life of organic products is up to 5 years or 250 thousand km.
Antifreeze is a type of mineral antifreeze. Its service life varies around 2 years or 50 thousand km.
Lobrid refrigerants are allowed to be mixed with other types of liquids. The main feature is approval for use in almost any engine of new cars.

All coolants are divided into standards:

Is it possible to mix them?

Now let’s figure out whether it is possible to mix refrigerants of different compositions or not. If you decide to mix antifreeze, then you should not pay attention to their color.

Why mix?

The ability to mix refrigerants in a vehicle depends on factors such as the composition of the product and the presence of additives in it. The need for dilution may arise as a result of liquid leakage. If the refrigerant leaves the system and its level in it has become critically low, the car owner needs to buy new antifreeze to add. Otherwise, the engine will boil and stall.

User Viktor Andreev conducted an experiment on mixing different antifreezes and filmed this process on video.

In online reviews from some users you can read about mixing Antifreeze with antifreeze to increase the volume of useful additives in the system. The fact that this will protect the components of the car’s cooling system from the formation of rust and the disintegration of particles in the liquid is nothing more than a myth.

Especially if products are mixed during the cold season. In the summer, if a refrigerant leak occurs, it is possible to replenish the liquid volume with ordinary distilled water if it is not possible to buy new antifreeze.

This cannot be done in winter, since the freezing point of the product will drop sharply.

This will lead to the following consequences:

the liquid in the cooling system will begin to crystallize faster and freeze as the temperature drops;
in extreme cold, water will increase in volume, which contributes to damage to the channels of the cooling system and the expansion tank;
crystallization can lead to malfunction of the radiator device.

What happens when mixed?

The use of Antifreeze is more relevant in Russian and Ukrainian-made cars. This is due to the aggressive composition of the fluid, which can have a destructive effect on the operation of the cooling systems of foreign cars.

As for other refrigerants, their use is allowed in all brands of cars. It is not recommended to mix blue, red, green or yellow antifreeze.

Typically, liquids of different colors have fundamental differences in composition.

What happens if you mix Antifreeze with antifreeze, which have a different base and additive package:

Sediment and deposits will appear in the cooling system channels. Its pipes will be clogged, and when the engine temperature reaches a certain point, this will lead to foaming of the substance. Normal functioning of the cooling system will be impossible.
The motor will not be able to cool properly. In his work there will be problems associated with a lack of heat exchange. The components of the power unit and radiator device may not withstand high loads.
As a result of mixing different compositions, the mixture will begin to crystallize even during mild frosts and boil at average temperatures. The functioning of the power unit will be disrupted.
Due to the chemical reaction, the additives present in the fluid will not be able to protect the system from rust formation. This will cause premature malfunctions and destruction of the metal components of the internal combustion engine and radiator.

An experiment on mixing refrigerants of different standards is described in a video filmed by the Avto-Blogger channel.

Tips for switching from antifreeze to antifreeze and vice versa

If you decide to switch from one coolant to another, you need to consider several nuances:

During the transition, the cooling system must be flushed. This is done in order to remove the remnants of the previously used refrigerant and prevent the undesirable consequences described in the previous paragraph. For rinsing you will need at least ten liters of distilled water. The old coolant is drained from the engine cooling system and distillate is poured in instead. The engine is started for 15-20 minutes, after which the water is drained. The flushing procedure is carried out until clear distillate begins to emerge from the cooling system. The expansion tank is also cleaned of dirt. It is necessary to evaluate the condition of the cooling system channels. If the pipes are heavily clogged with dirt, they must be washed or blown out with a compressor, or replaced.
Decide what type of fluid you plan to use and what refrigerant is allowed for use in your machine. Study the technical manual for the car; in it, manufacturers usually indicate which antifreeze is best to use.
When filling the compound after flushing the engine, add coolant to the specified mark. Start the engine, perform a test drive, and then check the level again.
After replacing, put the remaining antifreeze in the trunk. If you find a lack of fluid in the system during a trip, you can top up the antifreeze that was added earlier. This will avoid unexpected problems and the need to flush the cooling system.

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Photo gallery

Photos of the consequences of mixing liquids of different compositions.

Contamination on the radiator cooling device of the engine Cooling system channels before and after flushing Scale on the car radiator

Video “In detail about mixing and consequences”

Nikolay Dergunov in his video spoke in detail about mixing refrigerants and the consequences that a car owner may face.

Source: https://autodvig.com/ohlazhdajushhaja-zhidkost/chto-budet-esli-smeshat-tosol-s-antifrizom-13221/

Why you can’t mix antifreeze with antifreeze

Antifreeze is a coolant that is necessary for the proper operation of a car engine. Antifreeze is the general name for all coolants, so there is no difference between antifreeze and antifreeze.

It just so happened that the Soviet Union came up with its own coolant, called antifreeze. Antifreeze was the only option for use by Soviet car enthusiasts, so they soon began to call any antifreeze antifreeze.

This is where the misconception about the difference between antifreeze and antifreeze came from.

Currently, it is customary to call a specific brand of Soviet coolant antifreeze, and foreign refrigerants are called antifreeze.

Antifreeze was created back in the seventies of the last century, so it is naturally inferior to modern antifreezes in some properties. For example, antifreeze is aggressive to metal parts of the cooling system, which will sooner or later lead to corrosion.

Modern antifreezes, on the contrary, have special anti-corrosion additives that also perform a lubricating function.

Antifreeze has a characteristic light blue color. We should immediately dispel the myth about mixing antifreeze by color. Under no circumstances should you do this.

Of course, you should try to avoid mixing liquids altogether, but there are situations when there is simply no other choice.

For example, a sharp drop in the coolant level can occur right on the road and the only way out may be to fill in another antifreeze that is at hand. So, coolants are mixed strictly by composition, and not by color.

Antifreezes are mixed not by color, but by composition

The mixture will be safe for the car if it is similar in its base and set of additives.

But even with a similar composition, different antifreezes can behave unpredictably; the result is difficult to predict. In the worst case, the antifreeze begins to crystallize directly in the cooling system, which will lead to the car engine stopping.

Therefore, it should be repeated that, if possible, it is not necessary to allow the formation of a mixture of different coolants.

There is also an established opinion among drivers that antifreeze can be mixed with water. It is also better to avoid this. In the summer, this mixture will most likely work optimally, but in the winter, a complete fluid change will be necessary.

The fact is that diluting antifreeze with water leads to the fact that the latter begins to lose its properties. Consequently, its freezing point becomes higher.

Thus, antifreeze diluted with water at sub-zero temperatures can simply freeze in the cooling system, which will lead to inevitable damage to pipes, hoses, expansion tank, and so on.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze with antifreeze?

Despite the fact that both antifreeze and antifreeze are coolants, their mixture can adversely affect engine performance. Due to the aggressiveness of antifreeze towards metal parts, pipes and hoses may be damaged when poured into a foreign car. Sensors that regulate the movement of liquid in a large and small circle may begin to work incorrectly.

Do not mix antifreeze and antifreeze

It should also be noted that modern cars are increasingly equipped with special systems that determine what kind of antifreeze is in the expansion tank. If the fluid does not match the class of the car, the system simply does not allow the vehicle to start.

In addition, there is a more compelling reason why you should not mix antifreeze with antifreeze - the formation of sediment. The sediment prevents the fluid from circulating fully through the cooling system, which can lead to overheating and boiling.

Thus, a concrete summary of all of the above should be summed up: it is better not to mix antifreeze with antifreeze. At least if the current situation allows you not to do this.