Does Antifreeze Expire? | Engine Coolant | DIY Car Service Parts | Middlewich

24

December, 2019

Does Antifreeze Expire?

A sealed bottle of antifreeze has an indefinite shelf life. Once opened, it will keep for years if stored in the original container.

Antifreeze – coolant that has not been mixed with water – tends to last even longer than pre-mixed engine coolant, though both last for years.

Degraded Antifreeze | Engine Coolant | DIY Car Service Parts | Middlewich Spa

Degraded Antifreeze

It is only when coolant is poured into a vehicle and reacts with other liquids that it begins to degrade.

If your coolant goes slushy in winter, it is either because there is too much water in the antifreeze/water ratio or because the coolant has degenerated. If you don’t drain degenerated coolant from the vehicle, corrosive deposits may form in the engine.

You can buy antifreeze testers to measure the level of coolant freeze protection. These will indicate the quality of your coolant.

Follow our easy steps to top up your antifreeze here.

Disposing of Antifreeze | Engine Coolant | DIY Car Service Parts | Middlewich Spa

Disposing of Antifreeze

If your old coolant has degraded, do not pour it onto the ground or down a drain. It could seep through soil and into groundwater supplies or eventually pollute a river.

Store your old antifreeze in a secure, clearly labelled container and drop it off at an official recycling centre. From here, it will be sent to a processing centre, where professionals will remove contaminants and recycle the chemicals for new products.

Find out how to recycle old antifreeze here.

Refilling Your Antifreeze | Engine Coolant | DIY Car Service Parts | Middlewich

Refilling Your Antifreeze

It’s best to check and refill your engine coolant once every two years so that you don’t risk your engine overheating or freezing, depending on the time of year. With enough coolant, your engine will need to reach -37°C to freeze or 106°C to boil.

If you have purchased antifreeze as a concentrate, rather than a pre-mixed coolant, it is safer to only mix the amount required for your top up with distilled water. Don’t mix the entire bottle and then store it in its mixed form. Mix it as you use it to sustain its quality.

Need to replace your antifreeze? Search your number plate in our car lookup tool to find all the coolants that are suitable for your vehicle.

 

All DIY car service parts are manufactured by trusted, high-quality brands. Here are just a few of the brands that we stock.

About DIY Car Service Parts

Whether you’re changing your own car parts or saving costs by providing them to your local garage, DIY Car Service Parts is the ultimate site for easily identifying the vehicle parts that you need.

DIY Car Service Parts isn’t just about accessing car parts from the best brands at the lowest prices. With over 35 years’ experience in the automotive industry, we are experts in the car parts field. Our specialist team is on hand to answer any of your queries and offer valuable advice so that you can understand more about the ways that your car works and get savvy under the bonnet.

Subscribe To DIY Car Service Parts

Join our mailing list to receive the latest Offers & Tips from our team.

Subscribe To DIY Car Service Parts

You have sucessfully signed up to recieve great offers and tips from us