Any malfunction that occurs in the car usually happens when you least expect it. It is similar with the lack of coolant, a small amount of which can effectively prevent further travel. If we are near a home or car repair shop, the problem will be less. The matter becomes much more complicated when we cannot count on someone else’s help. Coolant purchased at a gas station may be a solution, but can it be mixed with the one that is still in the system?
The coolant, as a rule, should not be mixed. A different rule applies here than, for example, in the case of windscreen washer fluids, which can be mixed freely, including adding water in the most extreme situation. The coolant, in turn, is characterized by greater restrictions.
Can the coolant be mixed?
The need to mix the coolant occurs when the pressure suddenly drops while driving. At this point, if we cannot seek professional help, we should choose the Lesser Evil Principle. It will be better to top up any coolant than to travel further without enough coolant in the system. This can cause much more trouble.
It is worth remembering that there are products on the automotive market that can be mixed with others, based on the same agent, e.g. glycol. Then the question of whether you can mix the coolant will be unfounded, because in this situation we will be able to add another product to the system. However, if you are not sure what type of liquid you are using, it is best to avoid mixing. We also have to check the packaging on which manufacturers usually put information about the possibility of mixing a given fluid with others.
Coolant – how to choose?
When deciding to buy a coolant, it is worth choosing brand-name solutions that will allow the liquid to be mixed if necessary. This is especially true for people who travel a lot and are more likely to lose fluid. Coolant – how to choose? Such doubts are most often faced by people who refill the fluid in the vehicle by themselves. It is worth consulting a specialist to buy a solution that is not only universal, but above all tailored to your car.
Topping up the coolant is an activity that should be outsourced to a mechanical factory. It requires draining the existing fluid, preferably rinsing the installation and then adding the correct preparation. This is especially important if you decide to mix liquids in an emergency.
Combining two different coolants is a very risky operation. What matters is not only the compatibility of the glycol used for the individual preparations, but also the compatibility of anti-corrosive substances. You can mix liquids as an emergency, but remember to visit a workshop quickly and replace the fluid with the correct one, after flushing the installation.