It is normal to run out of your vehicle’s designated coolant. That can tempt you to use a different coolant that is different from the one used in your car currently. But is it safe, and how long can you drive with a mixed coolant in your car?
You should not drive long with a mixed coolant in the cooling system. Doing so reduces the cooling capability of coolants, which can make the vehicle run hotter. Running a short distance will not do any harm, but make sure you change the coolant immediately.
It came as a surprise, right? In this article, I will tell you more about coolants and how they affect your car’s cooling. So, let’s get started.
How Long Can You Drive With Mixed Coolant?
In case of emergencies, you can drive the vehicle for a few kilometers with a mixed coolant and take it for a coolant replacement. That is totally okay. But if you are simply not willing to change the coolant, then it can be detrimental to your car.
If you are sure the coolant you added has the same chemical composition, mixing them is not an issue. Then, you can drive for longer and get the coolant checked out by a specialist when you are free.
But these days, even the same colored coolants are chemically different, so it is really difficult to know that you are using the right coolant.
What Happens When You Mix Two Types Of Coolants?
Mixing coolants of the same type is not a problem. But if you mix two different types, that can have a catastrophic impact. Your car will start to overheat, and it will not perform as expected. In the worst of the situations, the car can shut off entirely.
There are other consequences that are explained in detail below:
1. Engine overheating:
The coolant in your car transfers the heat generated away from the engine to the radiator. However, if you add two different types of coolants in the engine, they may not mix together due to different chemical compositions.
That will reduce the movement of the coolant and heat up the engine. The pistons and the cylinder walls won’t be able to handle this and get warped, permanently damaging them.
2. Performance reduction
As the engine becomes hotter, the incoming air containing oxygen reduces. That means less fuel will burn in the same cycle as before. That produces less power, reducing the engine’s efficiency.
3. Cooling system damage
Mixing coolants often produces a sticky, sludge-type substance that can get stuck in the radiator. It decreases the flow of the coolant and reduces its cooling effect.
The coolant reservoir and its tubes can also be affected. If you are unable to remove the sludge, replacing it is the only solution for this.
4. Head gasket breakage
The head gasket in your engine prevents coolants and engine oil from entering the combustion chamber. But if the engine is overheating, that can reduce the gasket’s ability over time. Once this fails, the coolant can enter the engine, producing white smoke and reducing the overall efficiency of the engine.
What Happens When You Drive With Low Or No Coolant?
When the coolant is running low, your vehicle will heat up and shut down automatically. This is due to safety actions implemented by the car. Every vehicle has a temperature limit set to protect the engine. So, without any coolant present, the car will overheat.
You will see the heat indicator blinking during this time. Modern cars are packed with temperature sensors, which will simply turn off the car. Until you change the coolant and bring the temperature down, the vehicle will remain in this state.
This can be a serious problem when you are in the middle of nowhere. So, make sure to get the coolant checked out at least once per month.
Conclusion
It is best to avoid mixing different coolants unless you are very sure the coolant you are adding is the same one for your car.
Coolants are crucial for maintaining the temperature of the engine. Without it, the car can become dangerously warm, which can cause permanent damage.
So, always check the coolant levels regularly and replace them when it is running low.