
Few Omaha-area drivers can imagine a garage without a bottle or two of antifreeze taking space on a shelf, but many may not know the answer to the question, “What is antifreeze used for?” Simply stated, it helps regulate temperature, but its properties and range of effects are more complex than that. Learn more with the service center experts at Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT, as we explore this necessary part of your vehicle’s systems.
For those who want to get to know this crucial element to your vehicle’s function, it’s often asked, “Is antifreeze coolant?” In some regards, yes, it is. However, antifreeze has a dual purpose of transferring heat from different parts of your engine to keep it running at the proper temperature around Bellevue.
So, what is antifreeze? What we typically call antifreeze is either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Many may be more familiar with the electric blue or pastel green hue, Antifreeze also comes in pink and orange, whose properties often differ based upon the color code. It also has anticorrosive and antifoam properties while preventing deposits such as limestone build-up. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the exact specifications for your vehicle.
At its most basic, antifreeze circulates temperature throughout your engine. It does so by carrying combustion-generated heat from your engine to your radiator thanks to a water pump. In the radiator, the antifreeze is air-cooled to remove excess leftover heat, and the cycle is repeated as you drive, which keeps your engine temperature at the proper level.
As stated above, the antifreeze effect of circulating temperature beneath the hood means you’ll have full functionality in both the summer and winter seasons around La Vista.
If your engine runs without any coolant, you risk serious damage to these critical parts:
Symptoms of low antifreeze may result in overheating, which could lead to a hood that is way too hot to touch or even steam billowing out from underneath. Schedule a service appointment today at your Bellevue car dealership, and explore our service tips and tricks to learn more about your engine fluids – like what color transmission fluid is – and to keep your vehicle in its best condition.
No matter the symptom you’re facing on your drive, our experts in Council Bluffs have got you covered. Of all the car dealerships in Des Moines, our highly-trained team faces no rival in dedication or our range of specialization. Need a replacement part, or just looking for the perfect accessory to customize your All-New RAM 1500 or Jeep Wrangler? Explore our parts department, then stop by Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT to have our professionals install it for you!