The characteristics will largely depend on the price. Usually the cost of 1 liter (kg) of antifreeze varies from 100 rubles. up to 320 rubles Therefore, the products can be divided into 3 categories:

1. Budget - from 100 to 180 rubles;
2. Average price range - from 180 to 250 rubles;
3. Premium - from 250 rubles.

1. Budget - from 100 to 180 rubles.

OIL RIGHT ANTESOL -40C

Approved for use in domestic and foreign models. The composition contains - a base of ethylene glycol, a dye and additives (antifoam, anticorrosive and stabilizing types). Temperature range - -40 ° C to + 50 ° C.

Price - 110 rubles. (1 kg).

LUKOIL -40С G12 Red

Antifreeze is made in accordance with carboxylate technology. It is used in engines operating at temperatures down to -40 ° C. Such antifreeze effectively protects the power unit from overheating, scale formation, corrosion and freezing. The use of LUKOIL-40C G12 Red guarantees a decrease in the value of hydrodynamic cavitation and improves heat transfer. The composition does not contain amines, nitrines, borates, silicates and phosphates.

Price - 150 rubles. (1 kg).

Spectrol Long Life

It is a carboxylate-based antifreeze. It guarantees the correct operation of the motor in temperature range from -40 ° С to + 50 ° С. The composition does not contain amines, nitrines, borates, silicates and phosphates. Service life - up to 250,000 km (5 years) for passenger cars and up to 650,000 km (6 years) for trucks. Spectrol Long Life can be mixed with various types of coolants made from ethylene glycol, with the addition of corrosion inhibitors (organic type).

Price - 177 rubles. (1 kg).

Video: Replacing antifreeze. How to choose antifreeze?

2. Liquids of the middle price range - from 180 to 250 rubles.

Mannol AG13 +

The liquid does not contain amines, nitrines, borates, silicates and phosphates. Antifreeze is completely neutral to alloys based on lead, alloy steel, copper, cast iron, aluminum and brass. Replacement interval is 3 years.

Price - RUB 186 (1 l).

AGA -65C

Such antifreeze is intended for gasoline and diesel engines... Service life - up to 150,000 km or up to 5 years. Suitable for high-powered engines, including turbocharged ones. Provides protection against cavitation and corrosion. Retains oil seals.

Price - 200 rubles. (946 ml).

3. Coolants of the Premium class - from 250 rubles.

PRISMA -35C G12

This antifreeze is formulated for diesel and gasoline engines... It can be used for turbocharged engines and high-performance units. Ensures correct operation of the cooling system for 150,000 km or 5 years. Reliably protects oil seals and engine metal components.

Price - 295 rubles. (1 l).

PRISMA -35C G12 (concentrate)

This coolant is produced in Belgium. It is made from monoethylene glycol and a whole range of effective additives, which guarantees stability in operation power unitas well as reliable protection of its components made of aluminum, rubber and light alloys. Provides protection of the power unit against sludge, scale and corrosion. Lubricates the pump well. The antifreeze contains no silicates, nitrides, amines and phosphates.

Price - 310 rubles. (1 l).

In general, the cost of antifreeze is low, so it makes no sense to save on it. When buying, you need to focus, first of all, on the requirements of the car manufacturer.

January 5, 2017

For many motorists, the concept of antifreeze, antifreeze is identical. But, is it really so ?! Why then does one manufacturer directly indicate the first option in the operating instructions, and the second - a different one. Obviously, there is a difference. At first glance, antifreeze is more suitable for domestic brands, and antifreeze for foreign road transport... So, antifreeze and antifreeze, what is the difference, what happens when mixing, we will answer these and other questions in the article below.

The concept of each of the refrigerants

Now, the recipe for the "dish" is so outdated that no one uses it in production anymore. The reason for this is the upgraded engine with increased technical characteristics... Old technologies do not count anymore, the composition of antifreeze has completely different criteria.

What type of refrigerant to buy

Don't buy the first canister you come across. Before making a choice, you should be a little theoretically savvy about varieties and applications. Classes of substances:

• mineral class (G11): antifreeze belongs to the first type. The service life is from 50 to 55 thousand km. mileage. When using equipment below the specified interval, replace it every two years;
• organic class (G12): the service life is five years or 260 thousand km. mileage. As a rule, these are foreign analogues. The domestic product does not possess such chemical properties;
• hybrid class (G12, G13): this type is compatible with class 11 and 12. Allowed to top up, mix, if necessary, approved filling in a new power unit, by default.

The chemical base of the products is identical - ethylene glycol, and the density is different. When determining density, it is customary to use special device, called a hydrometer.

Refrigerant sorting criteria

Liquids of such colors are often found on sale: blue, green, red, yellow. The product differs from each other in terms of boiling and freezing temperatures. For most regions, blue and green. Where frosts are raging - red. Yellow, typical for the Land of the Rising Sun - Japan.

American automakers identify antifreeze by the following principle:

• if the vehicle has an installed copper, brass radiator, then red should be poured;
• aluminum radiator, fill in green;
• cast iron version, like most domestic cars, use blue.

According to all standards and Russian GOSTs, the refrigerant liquid must be homogeneous, free of impurities, and relatively transparent. Despite the identical colors, it is strictly forbidden to mix different classes. The appearance of particles, fossils, precipitation of a cloudy sediment is not excluded. After a while, the sludge will turn into solid rock and will start to clog the radiator pipes and the cylinder block, the engine begins to boil. As they say, welcomes you overhaul... Whoever faced, he knows what it threatens. In general, it is almost impossible to predict the behavior of two liquids when mixed, only guesswork and experience of mechanics. So that the water jacket always remains clean, the engine is fully cooled, systematically rinse it with running water. Once a year is enough.

If trouble caught up on the way. Often, breakdowns happen while driving, when you least expect it, and there is nothing at hand. As an exception, it is allowed to mix several species together. But, in order to get to the nearest service. As a rule, the distance does not exceed 50-60 km. During this time, nothing catastrophic will happen to the cooling system. Be sure, after arriving at the service, replace the refrigerant, flush the system with plain water to neutralize and remove waste. Experienced craftsmen recommend doing a three-fold rinsing, driving off with distilled water for about 25 km, only then pouring new antifreeze. The proposed method is financially costly, but effective for extending the life of a technical device. When shopping, check the product for originality, compliance with standards. Require the seller to provide a quality certificate for the product.

It is possible to determine that antifreeze is unsuitable for use by color change or complete discoloration. The reason for this may be a poor-quality product or a long term of its use. An urgent replacement is required. Before each exit, look into the expansion tank of the car, check the level at the “minimum” and “maximum” marks, top up if necessary. Always carry your vehicle manual with you if controversial situations, take data from the book, for accuracy.

An eternal question, just a lot of letters come to my blog with such comments. Why does this dilemma arise - antifreeze or antifreeze - and even more so which of them is better? Often, young guys, in order to somehow improve their used VAZ 2112 (2110 or 2113 - 2115), flush the cooling system and fill in new fluid! But somehow I don't really want to pour antifreeze, because, as they heard somewhere - that antifreeze is much better! So they are tormented what to fill? On the one hand, it is recommended by the manufacturer, on the other hand, it seems like the characteristics are improved. Read this article and everything in your head will fall into place ...

Guys, the article will be large, but interesting, there is a video version below, as well as a vote - I ask you - vote, please, I am interested in your choice.

Of course, to begin with, I advise you to read about -, a lot of useful things, in principle it is already possible to understand which is better and more modern, but today we are comparing exactly two substances - one Russian, or rather invented back in the USSR - antifreeze, the other imported - antifreeze.

ANTISOL

This is really a Soviet development, now I will not go into the jungle of history, but it was created precisely in response to foreign antifreeze. There are two colors (and not one as many think) - blue and red.

Blue antifreeze can withstand temperatures up to "-40" degrees Celsius.

Red can withstand up to "-65" degrees Celsius.

Separated by color specifically to distinguish the temperature threshold.

The composition here is practically the same (only in red the concentration of alcohol is slightly higher). Let's list the components:

• Ethylene glycol - dihydric alcohol
• Distilled water
• Additives

The whole secret lies precisely in the additives. The so-called first generation or chemical additives are used in antifreeze. These are mainly phosphates, borates, silicates, nitrites. The main task is to protect the pipes inside from the corrosive effects of ethylene glycol and distilled water. Changes 1 time in 2 - 3 years completely.

It should be noted that the compositions of antifreeze have not changed for many years, that is, it has been stamped in its "original form" for a good 30 - 40 years. Practically no work is being done to identify a new formula.

ANTIFREEZES

This is a very large subspecies, all because antifreezes themselves are very different from each other. FOR a given period of time, several types can be distinguished - G11, G11 +, G12, G12 +, G13, G13 +. You can also find versions of G12 ++, but this is more likely G13.

Oddly enough, but antifreezes are very similar in structure to antifreezes. They also have three main components:

• Ethylene glycol (or propylene glycol) is a dihydric alcohol
• Distilled water
• Additives

That is, almost pure coincidence, but the difference is still there, and with some compositions it is simply huge.

ANTIFREEZE or green antifreezeG11

It is these two substances that are practically twin brothers - that is, our antifreeze can be conditionally called G11, according to the European classification. It so happened that in most cases it is G11 that is painted in green.

They have a common chemical composition of additives - as I wrote above, these are phosphates, borates, silicates and nitrates.

The advantages of such formulations - inside they create a thin film (several microns), which prevents destruction or rust, pipes (metal or rubber), and also protect radiators.

Minuses - because of the film, there is no good heat dissipation, so in summer the engine heats up with them much more than with other antifreezes. After 2 years, it must be changed, otherwise it will precipitate.

It is difficult to identify which is the best of them! I emphasize once again that they are very similar, the difference is only in color, although this does not carry any semantic meaning.

So if you want to pour green antifreeze instead of antifreeze, then nothing terrible will happen, you can even mix them without fear.

TOSOL or red antifreeze "G12 "and"G12 + "

Here the difference is more significant. It so happened that in 80% of cases G12 is painted red, this shows the difference in characteristics with the G11.

Again, there is a common component - ethylene glycol + water, but there are also more technologically advanced additives.

At G12 - the structure is much different from their less technologically advanced counterparts. And the point is in organic additives. That is, G12 has not chemical additives, but organic ones. It uses carboxylic acid.

How it all works - yes, very simply, acid does not envelop the walls of the pipes and radiators, due to which the cooling improves by 20 - 25% (which is just a salvation for high-temperature engines), that is, there is no film of several microns. Such additives begin to work only when rust appears inside. It is localized almost instantly by carboxylic acid. By the way, you can drive with "red" antifreeze from 3 to 4 years.

pros :

• Better cooling
• Longer service life

Minuses :

• No protection until rust appears.

If we state the facts, then this antifreeze is a little better antifreeze, if only because it works longer and the cooling of the machine is better. It can be used in our VAZ.

TOSOL or "G12 + ","G13 "

The most perfect antifreeze now is G13 (or "G12 +", somewhere "G12 ++"). This can be said to be the peak of the evolution of coolants.

Again, back to the general component:

• Propylene glycol - here they replaced the harmful (poisonous) ethylene glycol with a more innocuous composition, thus - we got G But ethylene glycol is still used in the “G12 +” and “G12 ++” compositions.
• Again, the well-known distilled water, no way without it.
• Additives, here they are hybrid or more advanced.

Let's take a closer look at additives. What is the "subtlety" here:

- As it became clear to us, chemical (green) antifreezes perfectly protect against corrosion (forming a film), but they poorly promote heat dissipation, and they also have a short service life.

- Other red antifreezes, perfectly fight against corrosion centers, and their heat dissipation is improved. But they do not form a film to protect the pipes - that is, they tighten until rust appears, which is also not good.

What did the developers think - why not cross them in the right proportion, that is, there will be protection of the pipes (not strong, the one that is needed) and the fight against foci of corrosion (if it suddenly appears).

Thus, antifreezes appeared - in which there are both a little chemical and a little organic additives - here you have "G12 +" or "G13". The only differences are in the base alcohol. Now manufacturers have not yet adopted a common color, but I personally saw a purple hue, many of my readers - yellow.

At the moment, these compositions are better than all previous ones, and even more so our antifreeze! Can they be poured into our cars? OF COURSE YES - ONCE! This is a kind of peak in the evolution of coolant.

TOTAL + VIDEO

As you can see, the guys find out everything is very simple, the main thing is to remember the characteristics of a particular coolant.

TOSOL and green composition aka G11 are the same.

ANTIFREEZE and red antifreeze G12 - red is better here, albeit not much, but better.

ANTIFREEZE and violet (yellow) antifreeze "G12 ++" or "G13" - antifreeze wins much, this is a kind of peak in the evolution of coolants. These compositions are the best.

What I want to say at the end - guys, our "VAZ" always drove perfectly and with antifreeze, cooling is more than enough, and the price is at a pleasant low level, I personally bought a liter for about 90 rubles! If after my article you ran to the store for a more perfect G13, then I will upset you a little - it costs 7 - 8 times more than antifreeze, about 700 - 800 rubles per liter! Think about it, do you need this? If you are ready to spend money, then the choice is yours - the right one, if you are not ready - you can also ride antifreeze, I gave you the layout!

During the operation of each part of the motor, a large amount of thermal energy is generated and, if a reliable heat sink is not provided, then even the most modern and high-quality power unit will quickly fail. This function performs engine cooling system and the coolant with which this system is filled. For cooling modern engines today there are two types of such liquids, so drivers often have a question: "What is better antifreeze or antifreeze?" We will talk about this today, having considered their differences, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each category of coolant.

Before you start figuring out what is best to use from modern coolants, you need to find out, and what you need to use them for. It would seem that the simplest and lowest-cost option is ordinary water - it has the ability to move energy between different media, in addition, it has a good indicator of specific heat. And it is worth noting that quite a lot of motorists use water as a coolant, especially in summer. But the water has one big drawbackminimizing its availability.

Coolants

As you know, water begins to freeze at sub-zero temperatures, while it expands. Expanding, it begins to "remove" all obstacles from its path - and under the power of its expansion, neither rubber hoses, nor aluminum tubes, nor even aggregates made of more serious metals, including the body of the power unit, can resist. For this reason, those motorists who use water as a coolant in the summer, even before frost approaches, try to free the system from its presence in order to protect themselves from huge troubles (engine overhaul).

Other types of coolants

And yet, what to fill in the cooling system of the car? Water is not suitable for this, but there are other liquids, the use of which is permissiblelike coolant. For example, methanol, which has a huge minus - it destroys the power unit, provoking severe corrosive processes. These are the consequences of the reaction of methyl alcohol and aluminum. But most importantly, this substance is harmful to human health, it is practically not excreted from the body, accumulating in it. Because of this, in many European states, methyl alcohol is banned.

What to choose - antifreeze or antifreeze

Another substance suitable for use in a cooling system is glycerin. A colorless substance belonging to the class of the simplest trihydric alcohols and having the corresponding properties. But these days, glycerin is almost never used as a heat carrier. This substance has a high viscosity, due to which the circulation of the liquid in the cooling system is extremely difficult. In addition, glycerin begins to freeze when temperatures are insufficient for these purposes.

Antifreeze - born in the USSR

In the 70s of the last century in the Soviet Union already used "non-freezing" of imported production. But with the construction of a new car plant, Togliatti engineers began to develop their own coolant. One of the VAZ divisions was the TOS (Organic Synthesis Technologies) department, where a new liquid for use in the cooling system was created, called TOSol.

Most coolants contain salt solutions (monoglycs).

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is a substance that has quite high cost and is practically not used in its pure form. It is diluted with water in 6/4 proportions before use. In this form, MEG has a low (minus 50 ° C) freezing point. It is in it that the key difference between antifreeze and antifreeze is hidden: antifreeze contains MEG, and this substance is absent in the antifreeze.

Antifreeze blue

Antifreeze, in addition to water and MEG, contains special additives of an inorganic nature and substances that prevent foaming. Modern antifreeze can differ in colors - this indicates its freezing point:

• The blue coolant is designed for freezing at a temperature of –40 ° C;
• red antifreeze is oriented at –65ºС.

The division by color is not accidental, it is easier to differentiate the temperature threshold.

A few words about the additives added to the antifreeze. They use additives of the 1st generation or chemical ones. Such substances include phosphates, silicates and others. The main task of the antifreeze is to protect the pipes inside from the effects of corrosion, which occurs from the reaction of water with ethylene glycol. Antifreeze must be completely replaced every 24-36 months.

Let us clarify that the composition of the domestic coolant has not changed for many years, it is produced according to a formula derived by Soviet scientists. Practically no work is underway to improve it. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that antifreeze is too outdated and not suitable for use. There is a whole line vehiclefor which this coolant is ideal. Today antifreeze costs up to 250 rubles. for 1 liter (the cost depends on the manufacturer and the store where the sale is carried out).

Modern antifreeze

The term "antifreeze" comes from anti freeze (English) - from freezing. Antifreezes are carboxylate-based liquids. This is a very voluminous subspecies of coolants. Moreover, antifreezes differ significantly among themselves. Today several categories of this coolant are produced G11, G12, G13 and the same marking with the designation "+". Sometimes there are variations with two pluses, but this is, rather, the next class of coolant.

Now the question should be answered, why is antifreeze better than antifreeze. Modern antifreeze have a number of important advantages in comparison with their Russian counterparts:

• significant efficiency in cooling the power unit;
• long term of quality work;
• at high temperatures, protection of aluminum elements is provided;
• protection of engine cylinders from liner cavitation is provided;
• the service life of the water pump is increased by 50%;
• stability of properties and qualities;
• perfect compatibility with plastic and elastomeric elements.
• when using antifreeze, no deposits appear in the radiator;
• constancy of temperature conditions;
• environmental friendliness.

Mixing capability

With the advent of affordable antifreeze on the market, Soviet consumers had a reasonable question about mixing antifreeze with antifreeze, which, by the way, has not lost its relevance today. There can be only one answer to it - definitely no!

Antifreezes and antifreezes

The production technology and composition of additives in liquids are completely different. If you mix antifreeze with antifreeze, then the result of this will be the failure of the cooling system and regular "boiling" of the running motor. Liquids differ in boiling points, when mixing monoethylene glycols with carboxylates, a colloidal composition is obtained, which gives an insoluble precipitate.

In the event of unfavorable situations in the operation of the system, it settles on the walls of the pipelines, due to which the working volume narrows and the liquid boils.

What to choose

This question cannot be answered unequivocally., but you need to understand that antifreeze was developed under domestic cars, firstly, for the WHA. Foreign-made machines use European antifreeze. Although these days when assembling russian cars imported components are used, in addition, russian market fill cars of Korean and Chinese production, which can work with any coolant.

Antifreeze must be replaced every 30-50 thousand km, while antifreezes are replaced after 240-250 thousand. On the issue of mixing liquids - when mixing them, the working fluid will need to be replaced, focusing on the working interval of antifreeze, otherwise, the machine boil. Another, for many very important, difference is the cost: the price of antifreeze is almost 3 times more.

Choosing a coolant - which is better

It is believed that liquids differ in color from each other. But, as we already said, antifreeze can have the same colors as antifreeze (blue / red).

Another misconception is that liquids of the same color can be mixed without affecting the motor. But this is not so! For example, green liquids can be not only different in composition (we mean additives), but also produced using different technologies.

How can you tell them apart? Look carefully at the labels of the canisters! Other characteristics: color, smell and other parameters will not help. AND pour that liquid into the cooling system of your carrecommended by the car manufacturer (if it is a new car) or used by the previous owner (in the case of a used car). In the second case, it is better to clean the cooling system altogether, drain its contents and flush the system with water, and then fill it with liquid in accordance with technical requirements car.

Remember! High-quality antifreezes work in the cooling system longer and better than any expensive, but fake antifreezes.

First of all, it should be noted that according to statistics, up to 23% of faults in a car are directly related to the engine cooling system. Indirect breakdowns are even more, about 40%. This speaks volumes about the importance of the type of coolant and its properties. Let's make a reservation right away that the classification for antifreeze and antifreeze exists only in Russia. Of course, both are present on our market. The process of antifreeze production is based on traditional technology, in which the composition of the liquid contains additives based on salts of inorganic acids, such as nitrates, nitrites, silicates, phosphates, etc. Antifreeze is produced using additives consisting of salts of organic acids, carbonates. When the engine is running, the antifreeze forms a protective layer on the metal surface, the thickness of which is up to 0.5 mm. Is this good or bad? On the one hand, good, because it helps to resist metal corrosion. On the other hand, which is much more important in this case, the protective layer, due to its scanty thermal conductivity, negatively affects heat transfer. The heat transfer efficiency is reduced by almost half. Antifreeze plays the role of a heat insulator. As a result, the motor operates at elevated temperatures, which ultimately leads to a decrease in its power, increased consumption fuel and accelerated wear of the power unit as a whole. Antifreeze, in contrast to antifreeze, forms a protective layer directly in the centers of corrosion. Moreover, the thickness of its layer is only 0.0006 mm. Heat transfer, accordingly, does not decrease, which significantly increases the efficiency of the engine cooling system.

Another aspect that favorably distinguishes antifreeze from antifreeze is the composition of the refrigerant. Initially, the amount of silicates that make up the antifreeze and provide anti-corrosion resistance of aluminum surfaces, as well as nitrites that resist cavitation erosion (the effect of bursting gas bubbles on the metal surface), is balanced with the amount of other additives. However, during operation, the components are consumed in different ways. Silicates and nitrites are produced fairly quickly. The proportion is violated, and after 30-40 thousand km the coolant based on them significantly loses its protective qualities. Antifreeze, due to a different composition, retains the stability of qualities for much longer. The term of its "life" reaches 250 thousand km.

Another weak link of antifreeze is the inability of the additives included in its composition to sufficiently protect aluminum at high temperatures above 105 ° C. But the "winged metal" is now used very actively in the automotive industry. Antifreeze protects parts made of aluminum and its alloys much better. The already mentioned cavitation significantly affects the reduction in the service life of various engine components. In particular, a water pump or, in other words, a pump. Emerging during the operation of the pump and then bursting gas bubbles from the coolant provoke the occurrence of hydrodynamic micro-shocks that affect the surface of the blades. As a result, shells form in the metal, eventually leading to the destruction of the blades and the failure of the pump. This phenomenon occurs when using any coolant, but antifreeze, due to its composition, minimizes the effect of cavitation in comparison with antifreeze, increasing the pump's service life by more than 50%.

Continuing to find out how antifreeze differs from antifreeze, it is worth mentioning that for silicates, in most cases that are part of antifreeze, the formation of gel-like by-products is characteristic. And phosphates often provoke the formation of insoluble precipitates. These deposits gradually clog the cooling system, primarily the radiator and thermostat, which, at best, leads to overheating of the power unit. Antifreeze is characterized by stability of qualities, the formation of gels and sediment during operation is not characteristic of it.

Among other things, antifreeze, unlike antifreeze, does not show aggressiveness to rubber, plastic and other parts that are found in abundance in the engine cooling system of modern cars... And antifreeze much longer than antifreeze retains its properties at high temperatures and pressures (about 135 ° C and 3 atm), which are typical for modern engines. A pleasant bonus of antifreeze can be considered its higher class of environmental friendliness.

In conclusion, it will be useful to recall that if there is a need to choose a coolant, first of all it is worth looking into the car's manual to clarify for yourself the type and nuances of using the coolant recommended by the automaker.