Updated February 12, 2023
Since antifreeze is an essential part of winterization, many people are familiar with it. RVers in particular should pay close attention to it since they must make preparations for the winter months before it comes. You might be wondering what distinguishes vehicle antifreeze from RV antifreeze as an RVer. Which one is best to use?
The most crucial distinction between RV antifreeze and vehicle antifreeze is that the former is chemically harmless while the latter is a highly hazardous liquid. RV antifreeze and ordinary antifreeze are far more complicated than that. Knowing which one to use when is useful, and this article ought to provide you a better knowledge of it.
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RV Antifreeze vs Car Antifreeze – What are the differences?
RV antifreeze differs from standard motor antifreeze in more ways than one. These are intended for installation right into the plumbing system. The hue might help you determine if it is RV antifreeze or automobile antifreeze. Antifreeze for RVs is nearly often pink. Always highly toxic and dangerous for both humans and animals, car antifreeze. Although they come in a variety of hues, green or yellow-green is the most common. Only the engines should use car antifreeze. Most likely, you’ll have to pour it right into the radiator.
Both kinds of antifreeze accomplish the same task by lowering liquid freezing points and raising liquid boiling points. This means that they are useful for keeping liquids in their liquid forms at much higher or lower temperatures. Some antifreeze ignores the boiling point and only lowers the freezing point. Since the antifreeze used in cars is utilized as a coolant rather than to defrost the vehicle, they can never be used as antifreeze.
RV antifreeze is not intended for the same type of use as antifreeze for cars. While RV antifreeze has several uses, including the water tank, plumbing, and even as a substitute for emergency ice removers, car antifreeze is solely for the engine and to maintain its temperature.
Due to its significantly lower density, RV antifreeze is far less expensive than car antifreeze. RV antifreeze has a far wider range of applications than can antifreeze. In a perfect world, you would drain all of your pipes, water tanks, and storages. During the winter, if there is any remaining water, it may freeze up, and when it does, the pressure will cause the pipelines to burst. Simply pour the necessary amount of antifreeze liquid into it after emptying everything. Although it might become slushy at -50, nothing will freeze.
One thing to bear in mind is that RV antifreeze is designed to be used at maximum strength, unlike vehicle antifreeze. So, in order for it to work, you don’t need to mix it with other liquid. It’s not unusual to see folks changing their car antifreeze after a particular length of time. typically once every few years. All sorts of vehicle engines use the same basic mechanism. Directly into the radiator valve, pour a 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water. Then, rev the engine until the air is expelled.
Normally, individuals would combine clean water with antifreeze, but doing so isn’t recommended because ordinary water might eventually create corrosion. The best choice for car antifreeze is distilled water. Adding 100% antifreeze to your car is also not a good idea because it could lead to the failure of your water pump. Water is far less thick than antifreeze, which is why this occurs. Keep in mind that antifreeze is not the same as “coolant.” That moniker refers to the combination of water and antifreeze.
RV antifreeze is constructed of non-toxic components, RV antifreeze poses no threat to the health of either people or animals. The primary ingredients in the majority of RV antifreeze brands are ethanol or propylene. Antifreeze made from ethanol is solely used to make liquids less solid during freezing. This is solely used to avoid freezing because it doesn’t boost the boiling point. It is ineffective as a coolant. Contrarily, propylene reduces the freezing point while simultaneously increasing the boiling point. It is the better of the two because of this. More applications exist for propylene than ethanol.
They come in two different states: concentrated, which must be diluted with liquids later; and pre-diluted, which is offered in containers up to gallons. You don’t need to mix it further before adding it to the system of your RV. Ethylene glycol is the substance that is most frequently used in automotive and car antifreeze. It tastes rather sweet but lacks any scent or smell. However, this is a very poisonous substance that is frequently used in suicide attempts. Car antifreeze can come in a variety of colors, depending on the type of infusion it has. Typically, silicates are green, organic acids are orange, and a combination of silicates and organic acids is yellowish.