How to dilute the antifreeze (concentrate)? Step-by-step instruction

There is a huge amount of different antifreezes. They are used in different systems, so they can have specific properties. They prevent the rapid boiling of the liquid, and also can not freeze at sufficiently low temperatures.

Additives that are part of the refrigerant or fluid for heating systems depend on their service life. Proper use of such products is also of great importance. To do this, you need to know how to dilute the antifreeze (concentrate). There is a certain methodology that should be followed in the course of carrying out such actions. After all, the antifreeze concentrate is designed to be diluted before use.

general characteristics

Antifreezes of various types are used in many power units 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 other facilities.

Very many manufacturers produce antifreezes in the form of concentrates, which must be properly diluted. This will lower the crystallization temperature of the substance. Therefore, how to properly dilute antifreeze concentrate, you should know before using the substance.

Most liquids include ethylene or propylene glycol. Also, manufacturers add to the composition of various additives, improving the operation of the units and preventing their wear. They will protect the system from corrosion and increase the durability of internal surfaces.

The need to dilute antifreeze

There are two types of antifreeze available. This can be a concentrate, or an already ready-to-use substance. The need to dilute the antifreeze with water is its full-fledged cooling property.

If the refrigerant is used in the hot season, the water from the mixture will evaporate faster, all the same concentrate will remain inside the system. The ethylene glycol included in its composition will negatively affect the details of the system.

Combustion of fuel in the engine occurs at a temperature above 2100 degrees. Without forced cooling, the parts would have heated to such an extent that they exceeded the threshold for the ignition temperature of the oil. All contact surfaces would have worn out extremely quickly.

However, the question of how to dilute the antifreeze (concentrate) must be resolved in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Too much cooling can also damage 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 vaporization limits. Therefore, the establishment of the upper temperature limit for such substances is also at a level of 95 degrees.

Cooling action

To properly dilute the antifreeze for the car engine or heating system, it is necessary to take into account the lower limit of the crystallization temperature of the substance.

That the liquid does not freeze at a temperature of -30 degrees, in the composition of very many products of the type represented there is ethylene glycol. When mixed with water, the crystallization rate at -36 degrees can be achieved.

If the temperature drops too much, the fluid 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 packaging. If there is an emergency shutdown of heating in a private house, the liquid in the heating system will not allow the pipes to break from too low a temperature.

Antifreeze boiling

In addition to the cooling effect, the liquid can prevent too much vaporization. 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 properly due to serious damage. Therefore, to prevent such situations, you also need to understand how to dilute the antifreeze correctly for the engine or heating system.

The additives and substances in the liquid make the boiling point much higher than that of water. This gives a guarantee that in summer, the antifreeze will not quickly boil away, and the heating system in winter will not overheat.

Varieties of antifreeze and its producers

To know how to properly dilute antifreeze (concentrate) brands such as "Kostrol", "Shell", "Tosol-Synthesis" and others, you need to pay attention to the class of liquid.

If it is antifreeze G11, 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 a red, orange, violet paint. They do not contain silicates, which cause the formation of rust. Their additives increase the life of the substance to 7 years.

Classes G11 and G12 can not be mixed with each other. They have too different composition. Only antifreeze G12-plus is able to be added to both these types of concentrate.

The most popular producers, according to consumers' opinions, today are such brands as Mobil, ZIC, Shell, Tosol-Synthesis, Castrol. Antifreeze (concentrate), how to dilute that, every car enthusiast should know, ideally diluted with water.

Water for dilution

To dilute antifreeze, both concentrate and finished liquids, special distilled water is suitable . You can not use for this purpose its pharmacy variety. And even more so do not use water from a water pipe or river, lake, well, etc.

An unsuitable substance will have mineral salts in its composition. Such substances will form a scale during operation.

To decide how to dilute the antifreeze with water, if there is no special liquid, you should resort to another method. The usual tap water should be boiled on the fire for about half an hour. This will remove from it the substances interfering with the operation of the system.

Some manufacturers claim that their products are suitable for ordinary water. It is easy to check by pouring in a similar liquid liquid. After 48 hours, check the result. Muddy water or the presence of sediment indicates the need to use distillate.

Choice of concentration

When deciding on how to dilute antifreeze for heating systems, car engines and other systems, you should pay attention to the temperature regime of the liquid.

The usual concentrate has a freezing point of -65 degrees. In ordinary life, such conditions are not met. Therefore, it is necessary to do the following.

1. Dilute concentrate with distillate in the ratio 1: 1. This will raise the crystallization temperature to -40 degrees. This is quite enough even for severe winters.
2. If the antifreeze take 2 liters, and water 3 liters, then the freezing point will rise to -30 degrees.
3. A 1: 2 ratio will give a liquid with a crystallization boundary of -20 degrees. Depending on the climatic latitude, one should choose one of three ways.

Do not dilute the concentrate too much. This will reduce the effect of additives and deteriorate the quality of the liquid.

Step-by-step instruction

To understand how to dilute the antifreeze (concentrate), and then replace it in the system, you should familiarize yourself with the step-by-step replacement instruction.

First, the old antifreeze should be drained. To do this, unscrew the radiator cap and the drain valve from the bottom. The system is further washed with distilled water. I need to give her a little work and drain the waste liquid.

After the above manipulations in the system, add the properly diluted antifreeze concentrate. For this, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations listed above. In the summer, you need to add more water. But in winter, the crystallization level of such a substance should be at least -20 degrees.

Having become familiar with the technology, how to dilute the antifreeze (concentrate), replace the waste liquid with a new one will not be very difficult. Acting in accordance with the above recommendations, you can ensure the proper operation of the system and its long-term operation.