Anti-Freeze or Coolant?

[Motul_SG]

Anti-Freeze or Coolant?

 

A running engine typically converts only one third of the energy from combustion into usable work to drive the car. The rest is converted into heat, and is enough to heat a large house in winter. That’s a lot of energy!

While engines are becoming smaller and more efficient, they are still generating extreme amounts of heat, and car body designs which focus on maximizing aerodynamic performance means less and less air is directed to your engine to cool it. That’s where engine anti-freeze/coolants come in to the picture.

Knowing what you need is important for getting the most out of your cooling system. So, do you need an anti-freeze or coolant?! You will find that almost all products on the auto parts store shelf are in fact both of those – an anti-freeze and coolant. Technically they are more of an anti-freeze than a coolant. More on that shortly.

 

For an engine anti-freeze/coolant to be effective, it should:

• Have excellent heat transfer characteristics;
• Possess a higher boiling point and lower freezing point compared to water;
• Resist foaming;
• Protect against corrosion caused by electrolysis;
• Be compatible with the materials in your cooling system;
• Work in the environment in which the engine is used;
• Be chemically stable.

 

The two main glycols used in engine coolants are ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. These additives, when mixed with water, help to lower its freezing point and raise its boiling point. This means that the anti-freeze/coolant won’t freeze when in extremely cold weather, and won’t boil under operating conditions, as this reduces its heat transfer abilities. Modern automotive engines typically run close to the boiling point of water. Anywhere between 85°C and 95°C.

In addition, additives are included to prevent corrosion and rust, and the formation of scales in the cooling system. The three main types of additives are: conventional inorganic; organic or; a hybrid mix of both, depending upon the characteristics required for a particular application.

Motul offers a range of engine coolants and additives for almost every vehicles.

The Motul Inugel Expert and Inugel Optimal line of ready-to-use and concentrate (Ultra)engine coolants provide great cooling properties and protection for your engine.

 

As seen here above, by increasing the ration of anti-freeze/coolant from 33% to 60% does very little to the boiling point but dramatically reduces your freezing point.

For Singapore’s climate, there is no need to go above a mixing ratio of 33% if you use a concentrate product. The Motul Ready-To-Use anti-freeze/coolants are mixed at a ratio of 45% as this is considered globally universal in almost all climates. It should be noted that mixing at a ratio in excess of 50% in Singapore’s climate will cause corrosion to the cooling system of your car. This would include your transmission heat exchanger if your car has one mounted in the radiator which could end up with transmission failure.

Using either Motul’s Ready-To-Use or Concentrate anti-freeze/coolants will provide you with reliable ongoing protection in Singapore extreme climate!

Inugel Expert is a popular coolant based upon monoethyleneglycol, using hybrid additive technology. Inugel Expert is a Ready-To-Use anti-freeze/coolant and is recommended for all cooling systems for a range of applications including passenger vehicles, construction and agriculture machinery, ships, or in stationary engines. Motul recommends a complete cooling system flush prior to use to ensure the best results.

Inugel Optimal’s Organic Acid Technology(OAT) reduces the operating temperature of your engine to maintain full power, whilst anti-scaling and anti-corrosion additives provide long-lasting protection throughout the cooling system. Plus it’s Ready-To-Use mixed @ 45% with demineralised water, so be sure to not add any water.

Recommended for all cooling systems for a range of applications including passenger vehicles, construction and agriculture machinery, ships, or in stationary engines. Motul recommends a complete cooling system flush prior to use to ensure the best results.