One just needs to look at the frozen car windows and it is clear that winter is approaching. As the temperatures fall, the demands on engine coolants increase. As a rule of thumb, coolants should be protected against freezing down to at least -40 degrees Celsius. Drivers are therefore well advised to get their car repair shop to check out whether this is the case with regard to their particular vehicle every year before the start of winter.
Anyone disregarding this advice risks damaging his car's engine. "Inadequate antifreeze protection in the coolant can lead to serious damage," warns Ralf Strauss, technical manager in Marketing Automotive and Refinery Chemicals at BASF. In the worst-case scenario the freezing water in the engine cooling system can expand to such an extent that hoses split and fine hairline cracks appear in the engine block or on the water pump. The results are a damaged radiator and complete engine failure.
For this reason, the coolant - like other automotive liquids such as engine oil and brake fluid - should always be checked and replaced regularly. "In this connection, it is important to use a quality coolant such as Glysantin," stresses Mike Freche, Glysantin brand manager at BASF. Only this offers triple protection and protects engines reliably against frost, corrosion and overheating. Furthermore, the right type of Glysantin is available for every vehicle. Not all products in the market can make this claim. "Low-quality antifreeze products and coolants are not approved for a particular vehicle or are based on an inferior technology. This can cause serious engine damage," continues Freche. That is why BASF also provides easy-to-understand guides for repair shops and end users on the Internet; with just a few mouse clicks anyone who is interested can discover the right type of Glysantin for his particular vehicle at www.glysantin.de.
Glysantin, which has more approvals from automotive manufacturers than any other engine coolants on the market, thus offers much more than just protection against freezing. The crucial ingredients include what are known as corrosion inhibitors . They form an extremely thin protective layer on the metal surfaces of the cooling system - so there is no chance of rust. In addition, numerous other additives ensure that Europe 's biggest selling brand of engine coolant is compatible with the various metals , seals and plastics in the engine.
Anyone wishing to top up his coolant himself should always pay attention to the correct mixing ratio, in order to achieve the optimum effect. BASF's experts recommend a 50:50 ratio of Glysantin to water. This will protect the engine from corrosion throughout the year, prevent overheating of the engine in the summer and withstand temperatures down to -40 °C in the winter. With the high-tech product from BASF car drivers will always be on the safe side throughout the year. Detailed information about Glysantin can be found on the Internet at www.glysantin.de.