lubricant feature
Correct use of anti-freeze
critical to prevent
vehicle damage
The common assumption is that anti-freeze products are the solution to keeping the water in a vehicle’s radiator
and engine from freezing in cold temperatures. It also has an added function of lubricating the moving parts it
comes in contact with, like the water pump.
B
ut while using anti-freeze
products may be the answer to
engine freeze, Les Mc Master,
chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop
Association (MIWA) warns technicians
not to be fooled by ‘just any’ anti-freeze
products on the market. “The incorrect
application of anti-freeze, or the dilution
thereof, can result in serious corrosive
damage to various parts of the engine
including water pump, radiator and even
the engine-cylinder head,” he warns. The
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
has two standards for anti-freeze. The first
standard is SANS/SABS 1251, where a
product must be diluted with clean water
in one of two different ratios – 50/50 (1:1)
or 33.3/67.7 (1:2) according to instructions,
but preferably 1:1. The second, SANS/
SABS 1839, is where a coolant is already
diluted with water in a 40/60 ratio and is
ready to use. It should not be diluted any
further. “If, for example, a coolant product
carrying the SABS 1839 mark is diluted it
becomes inefficient and corrosion will result
causing damage to engine components.
It’s therefore important to understand what
you are putting into the engine before doing
so,” says Mc Master.
He offers the following tips when looking
for and using an effective anti-freeze
product:
•
•
Buy branded coolant products from
reliable and reputable outlets and
avoid cheaper varieties that are likely
to have already been diluted.
Use a hydrometer to check the
coolant in the vehicle’s cooling
system. Also check for solids (rust
particles) floating in the coolant and
look out for indications of electrolysis
(white surface spots) especially in
aluminium radiators.
•
•
In a good coolant, the content of the
vital chemical – mono-ethylene glycol –
must not be lower than 30% or higher
than 50%. The glycol content can also
be measured using a hydrometer.
Drain the cooling system of a vehicle
once a year, pour in the correct
quantity of undiluted cooling protector
and only then fill the system with clean
water.
“Most anti-freeze products are really
cooling system protectors – they do not
necessarily protect only against freezing.
A characteristic of a good quality coolant
is that it will prevent boiling – and these
anti-boil characteristics are more important
in most parts of South Africa than the
anti-freeze characteristics,” concludes
Mc Master.
Regular car
maintenance critical
as economy slows
down vehicle sales
Recent sales statistics show that people are
holding onto their current vehicles for longer,
and resisting the urge to buy a new set of
wheels.
According to the National Automobile
Association of SA (Naamsa) South African
vehicle sales dropped 3.1% in February
compared to the same period last year,
with new passenger car sales falling by
5.4%. “Following four successive years
of growth in domestic new vehicle sales,
prospects for this year would be affected by
subdued economic growth, a bove average
new vehicle price increases as a result
of exchange rate weakness and upward
pressure on interest rates,” the association
says. This means the regular maintenance of
motorists’ vehicles is more critical than ever,
| words in action
14
april 2014
says Les Mc Master, chairman of the Motor
Industry Workshop Association (MIWA.)
“Regular maintenance is key to extending
the life of your car, and will help you pick
up smaller repairs early enough to prevent
more serious faults occurring further down
the line.” He advises motorists to keep a
close eye on the car’s manual and schedule
maintenance accordingly. “Even better, set
a recurring reminder on your phone to alert
you to get your vehicle checked annually.
Keeping up with your car’s recommended
maintenance schedule can help avoid costly
problems with your cooling system, drivetrain, suspension and other components.”
Motorists should also ensure their car is
serviced by a reputable workshop that only
uses quality oil, fluids and parts. “Although at
that moment it might sound like an attractive
option to service your car for as cheaply as
possible, the financial implications in the
long run will outweigh the apparent short
term benefit. It’s never wise to scrimp on
your car’s maintenance costs.” In addition
to regular maintenance there are a number
of other things motorists can do to extend
a car’s life. Motorists should regularly check
the level of fluids in their vehicles, such as
the antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power
steering fluid, and brake fluid.
“Even if your car doesn’t leak fluids, it can
develop a leak quite quickly which results
in a dangerously low level of fluids. It’s also
important to change the oil regularly as this
will improve your mileage and protect your
engine. To find the recommended mileage
between oil changes check your vehicle’s
service manual, and if still unsure consult
with an accredited MIWA workshop. It’s
important to change the oil filter as well there is no sense in putting clean oil through
a dirty filter, and filters are cheap and
available at any parts store,” says Mc Master.