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Antifreeze is a liquid added to the cooling system of an automobile to ensure that the water within it does not freeze solid. The functioning of antifreeze is based on the observation that the freezing temperature of a liquid is lowered when something is dissolved in it. This something can be either a solid or a liquid. This phenomenon was originally discovered by the French scientist Francois Raoult in the late 19th century. Raoult also discovered that the degree to which the freezing point is lowered is linearly related to the number of molecules dissolved in the liquid.
The decrease of freezing point in diluted solutions can be explained as follows. As the temperature of the liquid decreases, the molecules making it up move more slowly and experience an attractive force between each other. In pure water, at 32°F (0°C), this attractive force is powerful enough to arrange the water molecules in a regular crystal pattern, greatly decreasing their mobility and causing the formation of ice.
In theory, anything that dissolves in water can be used as an antifreeze. In practice, there are several limiting constraints. First is that the substance should mix together with water in any ratio. Some liquids are difficult to dissolve, or crystallize at lower temperatures. Second is that the antifreeze should be inert, that is, not react chemically with anything it comes into contact with in the cooling system. Third, it should be cheap; and fourth, it should not cause the buildup of unwanted pressure within the cooling system -- this means the antifreeze should have a high boiling point.
The almost universally-used substance that matches all these specifications is ethylene glycol, which has a boiling point of 387°F (197°C). A cooling system that has a 1:1 ratio between glycol and water has a freezing point of about -40°F(-40°C), ideal for the normal range of applications.
Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-antifreeze-work.htm
What else can I help you with?
What prevents cars from freezing?
The antifreeze in the radiator stops it seizing
Why need antifreeze coolant in cars engine?
This is used to keep the motor from overheating and from freezing. Thus the name "antifreeze" and "coolant".
What is the purpose of antifreeze in cars?
Antifreeze is used in cars to prevent the engine's cooling system from freezing in cold temperatures and to raise the boiling point of the coolant to prevent overheating. It also helps prevent corrosion and rust in the cooling system components.
What is the common name that stuff is used to prevent cars from freezing?
Antifreeze is a common additive used in car cooling systems to prevent the engine from freezing during cold weather. It helps lower the freezing point of the liquid in the radiator, protecting the engine from damage.
What are the causes of Diesel rabbit overheating?
Does the radiator cap hold the correct pressure? Has the coolant been in the motor for a very long time? Is there alot of scale buildup on the inside of the radiator? Is the water and antifreeze mixture right? Is the cars oil pressure good? Is the thermostat stuck closed? Any of these will do it.
How do i add water to the radiator in a 2005 Malibu?
It is no longer necessary to add just water to a radiator in newer cars like the 2005 Malibu. An antifreeze that is half water and half antifreeze is usually best. Add the 50/50 antifreeze to the radiator overflow tank. It should be a plastic, see through tank hooked to the radiator.
What did you use before antifreeze in cars?
In early cars (before 1930s), grain alcohol (cheap whiskey) mixed with water (or sometimes lamp alcohol mixed with water) was sometimes used as radiator antifreeze. Also sometimes radiators would simply be drained every night during cold weather to prevent freezing, and refilled with plain water before the vehicle was to be used again.
Why do you need antifreeze in your radiator?
To keep The oil from freezing --------------- Engines produce alot of heat...to keep from overheating they require a method of dispersing that heat. Some cars are air cooled - but most use a Radiator filled with fluid, usually anti-freeze.(Ethylene Glycol) Even in winter an engine produces a signifigant amount of heat and, for the Radiator to operate properly fluid must flow from inside the motor to the radiator to disperse the heat load. The antifreeze ensures that the fluid doesn't freeze which would trap the heat inside the engine and cause it to overheat. Which will destroy the motor. Also Anti freeze has added benefits such as anti rust, which keeps the inside of the cast iron motor from rusting, That can plug the radiator. Another benefit is that antifreeze - if it gets into your engine oil (thru a bad intake gasket for example) you have time before the engine will be destroyed. In the old days they used Alcohol in Radiators (because of it's low freezing point) however, if it got into the oil it can destroy an engine fairly quickly. In summary - Antifreeze is very important to the proper operation of you car's engine.
What kind of antifreeze does a 1996 Chrysler Sebring use?
Antifreeze is not car specific as much as it is weather specific. look for the antifreeze that will work with your coldest weather to do exactly what it does which is prevents freezing. make sure to mix it 50/50 with water by dividing your radiator capacity in 1/2. many companies like prestone make premixed antifreeze as well I'm sorry but antifreeze is made for specific cars use what is compatible with your car or truck It uses regular Green.
Do cars have to have antifreeze in the water?
Yes and no, the function of antifreeze is to provide a much lower freezing point in winter and higher boiling point in the summer. Antifreeze also provides additives to prevent internal corrosion of engine components. Newer cars may overheat if you try and run water alone.
Where do you put the antifreeze in a Ford Fiesta 1996 encore?
This applies to all cars. Add to overfill canister, also called a Degas bottle on cars with no radiator cap, located on side of radiator. Be careful and let engine cool because as on a radiator cap, it is under pressure.
Why do you smell antifreeze through your heat?
Your heater uses somthing akin to a mini radiator to transfer heat from your engine to the cars interior. However, if you're smelling antifreeze, you have some type of leak.
