What Is Antifreeze and How Does it Work?

Antifreeze is an important fluid in your vehicle – but you probably already knew that. Why is it necessary, though? What is antifreeze used for? If you want to know the ins and outs of antifreeze as it pertains to your routine maintenance schedule, follow along with Sam Leman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Bloomington service team as we review:

• What is Antifreeze?
• How Does Antifreeze Work?
• Why is Antifreeze Important?

What Is Antifreeze?

Is antifreeze coolant? Well, partly. Colored and mixed with water, antifreeze is added to your vehicle’s cooling system to help regulate engine temperature on Normal roads. Ethylene glycol or propylene glycol are usually what it’s made from, and green, pink, or orange are its usual colors. These additives and dyes are chosen to match specific vehicle type, though most use green antifreeze, reflecting the general formula used globally for decades.

How Does Antifreeze Work?

Antifreeze is found in your car’s radiator, connected by a reservoir that feeds directly to important engine components throughout the system. The fluid is circulated by the water pump, pushing antifreeze throughout to remove combustion-generated heat before it ends up in your car’s heater core that helps warm up the cabin. After that, it ends up back in the radiator where excess leftover heat is removed. That cycle repeats for as long as the engine is left running.

Why is Antifreeze Important?

Antifreeze is formulated to act against overheating, which happens when your antifreeze leaks out or needs changing. Internal components that heat up too much can be damaged, and that means expensive repairs or replacement parts. These parts can include:

• Head Gasket
• Engine Cylinders
• Water Pump
• Connector Rods

If you notice your hood is too hot to touch, or there’s steam billowing out on your commute to Champaign, your antifreeze isn’t doing its job.

Visit the Sam Leman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Bloomington Service Department to Learn More

Reading about how antifreeze works is quite a different matter than repairing the systems it protects. So, if you’re noticing issues with overheating in your vehicle, contact us or schedule an appointment with our service department. Our experienced, factory-trained techs can answer all the questions you might have and help you get safely back on the road in Decatur.