Everything You Need To Know About Antifreeze
Everything You Need To Know About Antifreeze
Posted on November 7, 2023
Winters in Toronto bring frigid temperatures that can wreak havoc on your Nissan if you are not prepared.
One of the true stars of winter car care is antifreeze. In this blog, we explain what antifreeze is and why it is such an important tool for your vehicle during winter.
Need to book a service for your Nissan? We are located at 60 Queens Drive in Eotiboke, just 15 minutes from the Toronto Pearson Airport. You can book an Express Service at our dealership online here or order parts and accessories here. Have questions about your Nissan and its service needs? Speak to one of our experts.
What is Antifreeze?
Antifreeze, also known as coolant, is a specially formulated liquid that plays a critical role in regulating the temperature of your engine.
It is made up of a mixture of water and chemicals, primarily ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, which helps maintain the engine at an optimal temperature.
This balance is essential year-round, but particularly crucial in winter, when temperatures can drop significantly and without warning, causing serious damage to your vehicle.
The Role of Antifreeze in the Winter
Preventing Freezing: Its most obvious function is to prevent the water in your cooling system from freezing. Water expands when it freezes, and this expansion can cause severe damage to the components in your engine. Antifreeze lowers the freezing point of the liquid, ensuring that it remains in a liquid state even in extremely cold temperatures.
Corrosion Protection: Antifreeze contains additives that protect parts of your cooling system from corrosion. This is especially important during the winter months when the city is pouring tons of salt and other corrosive substances on the road to prevent ice from forming. By protecting it against these corrosive substances, it also helps extend the lifespan of your engine and radiator.
Lubrication: Antifreeze acts as a lubricant for the water pump in your cooling system. Without proper lubrication, the water pump can wear out quickly, which can lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Types of Antifreeze
There are two types of antifreeze: ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Both serve the same basic purpose, but there are a few differences.
Ethylene Glycol is the most common type of antifreeze and is highly effective in preventing freezing. This option is very toxic and should be stored somewhere safely.
Propylene Glycol is a less toxic alternative and is often used in environmentally-conscious applications, however, it may be less effective.
Genuine Nissan Antifreeze + Coolant has the same distinctive, high-quality, factory fill found in all new Nissan vehicles and was designed to work optimally in your Nissan. It offers an advanced formulation for aluminum and cast iron engine parts and contains no amines or silicates which may harm water pump seals.
At Woodbine Nissan, we only use Nissan Genuine products when we care for your Nissan.
We trust Nissan products to be effective and superiorly designed for your vehicle and its needs. Servicing your Nissan with our team means putting your Nissan in the hands of the experts.
Our team works to protect your investment by using nothing but the best products including Genuine Nissan Antifreeze + Coolant.
How to Use Antifreeze
Adding antifreeze to your vehicle is a straightforward process, but it's essential to do it correctly.
Check the Mixture Ratio: Antifreeze should be mixed with water in the right proportion. A common ratio is a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water, but this can vary depending on your climate. Too much antifreeze can reduce its effectiveness, while too much water can lead to freezing. Thankfully, Genuine Nissan Antifreeze is already pre-mixed 50/50.
Flush the Cooling System: If you're changing the antifreeze or it's been a while since your last flush, we highly recommend flushing the cooling system to remove any old or contaminated coolant. Then add your new antifreeze slowly into the radiator or coolant reservoir.
Bleed the System: After adding the antifreeze, start your engine and let it run for a few minutes. This will help remove air bubbles. Before hitting the road, be sure to double-check the antifreeze level to make sure it is not overflowing.
While it might sound easy enough, checking and replacing your anti-freeze on your own can be tricky. Especially in the winter without a garage or if you are new to vehicle maintenance.
Want a professional to help? Come see us at Woodbine Nissan. Our highly qualified technicians are here to provide exceptional service as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Still Have Questions About Anti-Freeze and Your Nissan?
Antifreeze may not be the most glamorous part of winter car maintenance, but there is no doubting its importance.
From preventing freezing to protecting your engine from corrosion, antifreeze plays a significant role in making sure your Nissan stands the test of time.
We recommend booking a service appointment with our team as soon as possible. The temperature is slowly dropping in Toronto and snow is in the forecast.
Make sure your Nissan is fit for the task with winter tires and a full tank of fresh antifreeze. Small investments like these can save you from significant repair bills and keep you safely on the road during the coldest months of the year.
Stay warm and drive safely and if you have any questions about winter driving or how we can help keep your Nissan in prime condition this season, give us a call at (416) 840 7264.