What impact does coolant degradation have on vehicle performance?

Coolant is not just for preventing overheating.

Many car owners only pay attention to the coolant when the temperature gauge rises sharply, the engine compartment is emitting heat, or the car displays an overheating warning.

However, coolant doesn't only work when the engine overheats.

Throughout operation, this fluid continuously circulates through the engine, pipes, and radiator to:

- Absorbs heat from the engine.

- Heat transfer to the radiator

- Maintain stable operating temperature.

- Limit metal corrosion

- Prevents the formation of rust and deposits.

- Protect the water pump, gaskets, and pipes.

When the coolant is old or degraded, the system may not immediately malfunction. The car may still operate normally, but its heat transfer and internal protection capabilities have already begun to decline.

This is why the coolant level shouldn't be judged solely by whether the reservoir is full or empty.

The coolant must both transfer heat and protect the materials inside the system.

Why does coolant degrade?

Automotive coolant is not a liquid that can be used indefinitely.

During vehicle operation, the fluid must be in constant contact with:

- High temperature

- Hot-cold change

- Aluminum, cast iron, and other metal surfaces

- Rubber, plastic, and seals

- Oxygen and impurities in the system

- Residual rust or old water deposits

Over time, anti-corrosion and anti-scaling additives will gradually be depleted. The ability to maintain the stability of the solution will also decrease.

If the system is improperly diluted with water, mixed with different types of coolant, or not cleaned before replacement, degradation can occur more quickly.

What happens when coolant degrades?

1. Reduced heat transfer capacity

The primary function of coolant is to absorb heat from the engine and transfer it to the radiator.

When the fluid is in good condition, circulation and heat transfer are stable. The engine is maintained within the temperature range suitable for its design.

When the coolant degrades, contains sediment, or is improperly diluted, its heat transfer efficiency can decrease.

Some possible symptoms include:

- The needle temperature is higher than normal.

- The radiator fan runs frequently.

- The car heats up quickly in traffic jams.

- Temperatures increase when climbing hills or carrying loads.

- The air conditioner becomes less effective when the car is stationary for a long time.

- The engine may not overheat immediately, but the thermal safety margin has been narrowed.

2. Engine temperature becomes unstable.

The cooling system doesn't just bring the temperature down to the lowest possible level.

The more important task is to maintain a stable temperature.

An overheating engine can cause damage, but an engine operating below its design temperature also affects performance and the functionality of its components.

Good coolant helps the system:

- Rapid heat absorption

- Even heat transfer

- Limit localized hotspots.

- Maintain temperature stability when engine load changes.

As the fluid degrades, temperatures can fluctuate more significantly between conditions such as driving in clear lanes, traffic jams, uphill climbs, and acceleration.

A full water level does not mean the solution inside is still capable of providing good protection.

3. Reduced corrosion resistance

The cooling system contains various types of materials, such as:

- Aluminum

- Walk

- Steel

- Copper

- Rubber

- Plastic

Suitable coolants contain additives that help protect metal surfaces from oxidation and corrosion.

As the additive gradually runs out, the following system may begin to emerge:

- Rust in water pipes

- Radiator corrosion

- Water pump malfunction

- Leaks at the joints

- Brown sediment in the container

- The metal surface is pitted.

Corrosion typically occurs slowly and is difficult to detect from the outside. By the time leaks appear or the water tank becomes clogged, the cost of repairs can be much higher than replacing the fluid at the right time.

4. Sediment and deposits form in the system.

Old coolant may change color, become cloudy, or contain sediment.

The source of the residue could be:

- Products of the corrosion process

- Minerals from water are unsuitable.

- The two types of coolant react with each other.

- The additives have decreased.

- Old residue has not been cleaned from the system.

Residue can accumulate at:

- Radiator

- Small water line

- thermostat

- Water pump

- Auxiliary tank

Water chambers inside the engine

When flow is restricted, the ability to circulate and transfer heat decreases. The system has to work harder to maintain the temperature.

5. Water pumps and seals withstand higher pressure.

The water pump's function is to continuously circulate the solution within the system.

Using the right coolant also helps lubricate and protect components related to the water pump, seals, and gaskets.

When the solution is old, contaminated, or contains a lot of sediment:

- Water pumps can withstand higher levels of wear and tear.

- Seals are prone to degradation.

- Increased risk of leakage.

- The water circulation is no longer stable.

- Unusual noises may occur.

If the water pump is malfunctioning, heat is not dissipated from the radiator quickly enough, and the engine may overheat significantly under heavy load.

6. Increased risk of overheating.

Overheating usually doesn't stem from a single cause.

That could be the result of a combination of factors:

- Coolant degradation

- Low water level

- Dirty radiator

- The thermostat is not functioning correctly.

- The cooling fan is weak.

- The water pump is in poor condition.

- The pipe is clogged or leaking.

Once the coolant has lost its ability to transfer heat and resist corrosion, the system will have less capacity to withstand conditions such as:

- Prolonged traffic jam

- High outdoor temperature

- Heavy load

- Uphill

- Long-distance running

- The engine runs continuously.

If severe overheating occurs, components such as the cylinder head gasket, cylinder head, and related parts may be affected.

7. The lifespan of the entire cooling system is shortened.

Degraded coolant affects not only the engine.

The surrounding areas also suffer long-term effects:

- Radiator

- Water pump

- thermostat

- Auxiliary tank

- Pipeline

- Gaskets and seals

- Temperature sensor

If the solution no longer provides adequate protection, individual components can degrade more quickly, leading to a chain of related problems.

For example, scale reduces water flow, reduced flow causes temperature to rise, and high temperatures accelerate the aging process of pipes and gaskets.

Signs of old coolant

Vehicle owners should check the system if they notice:

- The coolant turns brown or cloudy.

- Sediment has appeared in the tank.

- The water level has dropped unusually low.

- There is a leak under the car.

- The temperature reading is consistently high.

- The radiator fan runs continuously.

- The car has a strange smell coming from the engine compartment.

- Steam appears when the vehicle is in operation.

- The engine heats up faster than before.

Do not open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. The high pressure and temperature inside the system can cause the coolant to spray out.

Is it okay to only add water when it's low?

Adding more solution only solves the problem of a temporary lack of solution.

If the water level is continuously dropping, the cause should be investigated, such as:

- Pipe leak

- Damaged radiator cap.

- Radiator leak

- The water pump seal is leaking.

- Cracked tank

- The system has an internal fault.

Additionally, frequently adding filtered or tap water can alter the dilution ratio, reduce corrosion resistance, and introduce additional minerals into the system.

It is necessary to use the correct type of coolant and the correct ratio as required by the vehicle manufacturer.

You shouldn't choose coolant based solely on color.

Blue, red, pink, yellow, or purple are not the only criteria for determining compatibility.

Two products with the same color may still use different additive technologies and standards.

When choosing coolant, consider the following:

- Recommendations from the vehicle manufacturer.

- G11, G12, G12+, G13 standards or equivalent standards

- IAT, OAT, HOAT, or Si-OAT technology

- Cooling system materials

- Pre-mixed ratio or concentrated solution

- Compatibility with existing solutions

Do not mix different types of coolants without first determining their compatibility.

Refer to the technical article:

https://gartzlube.com/vi/nuoc-lam-mat-oat-huu-co-va-truyen-thong-nen-dung-loai-nao-de-bao-ve-dong-co

When should you check and replace your coolant?

There is no single replacement point that applies to all types of vehicles and all products.

The usage cycle also depends on:

- Type of coolant

- Product standards

- Recommendations from the car manufacturer.

- Operating conditions

- The age of the system

- Maintenance history

The actual state of the solution

Vehicle owners should regularly check the coolant level, color, clarity, and signs of leaks. This check is especially important before long trips or when the vehicle is frequently operated in hot conditions and under heavy load.

Gartz coolant and system protection capabilities.

Gartz coolant product lines are divided into various standards and technologies, including M38, M55, M77, G11, G12+, G13, and G13+.

Categorizing products according to specific criteria helps in selecting those that are more suitable for:

- Model year

- System materials

- Engine technology

- Terms of Use

- Manufacturer's requirements

Gartz coolant catalog:

https://gartzlube.com/vi/coolant

Choosing the right coolant should be based on the system's specifications, not just on color or price.

A perspective from Gartz

Coolant is more than just a heat-resistant solution.

A suitable product needs to maintain the following simultaneously:

- Heat transfer capability

- Thermal stability

- Corrosion resistance

- ability to limit sediment

- Compatibility with metals, plastics, and rubber.

- Durability throughout the service life

When the coolant degrades, the car may not immediately display an error code. However, the protective capabilities of the entire system have already begun to diminish.

Regular inspections, adherence to standards, and prompt action on any abnormalities are far simpler than repairing the consequences of prolonged overheating or corrosion.

Conclude

Old coolant can affect vehicle operation in several ways:

- Reduced heat transfer

- This causes the engine temperature to become unstable.

- Reduced corrosion resistance

- Scale buildup in the system

- Increase the pressure on the water pump and seals.

- Increased risk of overheating.

- Shortens the lifespan of the cooling system.

- Therefore, you shouldn't just check if the tank still has water in it.

The condition, standards, and protective capabilities of the new fluid are key factors in determining whether the cooling system is operating effectively.