Antifreeze
Even though Eureka’s temperatures don’t usually drop below freezing, keeping your vehicle protected with antifreeze or coolant is still important. Not only does antifreeze help maintain good engine operation in extreme temperatures it also prevents against corrosion.
Antifreeze is made up of ethylene and propylene glycol. Most manufacturers recommend that a vehicle contain a 50/50 blend of antifreeze and water (preferably distilled water). Ratios of 40% or 60% either way produce ineffective protection and/or cause engine damage. This 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water circulates through your engine keeping it from freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer.
Another important function of antifreeze is that is an extremely effective lubrication. It lubricates the moving parts it comes in contact with, such as the water pump.
Today, there are three types of antifreeze/coolants on the market:
- Organic Additive,
- Inorganic Additive and
- Hybrid Organic Additive Technology.
The organic types of additives can be mixed but it is inadvisable to mix the inorganic type with organic. These different types meet specific manufacturer’s requirements for their vehicles.
Knowing what kind and how much antifreeze is not as simple as it used to be! In the “old days” an automobile owner might just add antifreeze to the radiator of his engine as winter approached. With today’s high-tech engines, and the multiple requirements for antifreeze/coolant additives, it is much safer and more efficient to have your ASE Certified Technician at Eureka Brake & Automotive test and/or replace your antifreeze/coolant at least once a year.
Contact Eureka Brake & Automotive today for all of your automotive needs.
707.443.2122.
We’re here to help keep you driving safely down the road!