Attention! Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body and painted surfaces of the car. Accidental splashes should be washed off immediately with plenty of water. Remember that antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid and getting it into the body, even in small quantities, is fraught with the most serious consequences (up to death). Never leave antifreeze stored in a loosely sealed container and clean up spilled coolant on the floor without delay. Remember that the sweet smell of antifreeze can attract the attention of children and animals. Consult any car service station about ways to dispose of used coolant. In many regions of the world, special points have been set up to receive various types of detention. Never drain old coolant down the drain and onto the ground!
Recently, non-toxic grades of antifreeze have been developed, but they must also be disposed of in an organized manner.
A properly proportioned mixture of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze and soft water is usually used to charge the cooling system. The mixture must show resistance to freezing at temperatures up to -30°C, and, if necessary, even lower, depending on the climatic zone of the region where the car is used. In addition to frost resistance, antifreeze gives the mixture anti-corrosion properties and increases its boiling point.
Emptying and flushing the cooling system must be carried out in accordance with the routine maintenance schedule for the vehicle (see chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance). The use of coolant for a longer period is fraught with various kinds of system damage, corrosion development and scale formation. If the tap water in the region where the vehicle is operated is "tough", i.e. characterized by a high content of mineral salts, distilled or rain water should be used to form the coolant.
Before adding coolant to the system, check the reliability of the fastening of the hoses of the latter on their fittings - antifreeze has a high fluidity and is capable of leaking through the slightest leaks. During normal operation of the engine, coolant is not consumed, so a noticeable drop in its level is a sign of the development of external leaks, the cause of which should be clarified and eliminated without delay.
The exact composition of the coolant is determined by the specific climatic conditions. At the same time, the antifreeze content in the mixture should not be lower than 50% and not exceed 70% - refer to the coolant composition map, which is usually applied to the container label. Hydrometers for specific gravity determination (density) coolant can be purchased at almost any auto accessories store. Try to use only grades of antifreeze recommended by the vehicle manufacturers (see specs).