What does supplemental coolant additive do?
Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs) play a crucial role in maintaining the health and efficiency of your vehicle's cooling system. Whether you're driving a heavy-duty truck or a passenger car, understanding the purpose of SCAs can help you extend the life of your engine and avoid costly repairs. In this article, we’ll explore what SCAs are, how they work, and why they are important for your vehicle.
What Are Supplemental Coolant Additives?
Supplemental Coolant Additives are chemical compounds designed to enhance the performance of your vehicle's coolant. They are typically added to the cooling system to provide additional protection against corrosion, cavitation, and scale buildup. SCAs are especially common in diesel engines and heavy-duty vehicles, where the cooling system endures more stress compared to standard passenger cars.
How Do SCAs Work?
SCAs work by addressing specific challenges that arise in a vehicle's cooling system. Here’s how they function:
- Corrosion Prevention: SCAs contain inhibitors that form a protective layer on metal surfaces inside the cooling system, preventing rust and corrosion.
- Cavitation Protection: In diesel engines, cavitation (the formation of vapor bubbles that collapse and cause damage) can erode cylinder walls. SCAs help prevent this by stabilizing the coolant and reducing bubble formation.
- Scale and Deposit Control: Over time, minerals in the coolant can form deposits that reduce heat transfer efficiency. SCAs help prevent these deposits from forming, ensuring the cooling system operates at peak performance.
Why Are SCAs Important?
Using SCAs is essential for maintaining the longevity and efficiency of your engine. Here are some key reasons why they matter:
- Extends Engine Life: By preventing corrosion and cavitation, SCAs protect critical engine components, reducing wear and tear.
- Improves Cooling Efficiency: A clean and well-maintained cooling system ensures optimal heat transfer, preventing overheating and engine damage.
- Cost Savings: Regular use of SCAs can help you avoid expensive repairs caused by cooling system failures.
When Should You Add SCAs?
The timing for adding SCAs depends on your vehicle and the type of coolant you use. Some coolants come pre-mixed with SCAs, while others require periodic supplementation. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner manual or consult with a trusted mechanic to determine the right schedule for adding SCAs.
Conclusion
Supplemental Coolant Additives are a small but vital part of your vehicle’s maintenance routine. By protecting your cooling system from corrosion, cavitation, and deposits, SCAs ensure your engine runs smoothly and efficiently for years to come. If you’re unsure about whether your vehicle needs SCAs or how to use them, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional auto service like Kevin’s Autos for expert advice and assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when coolant is low?
Without sufficient coolant, your engine could overheat. Many modern vehicles have an automatic engine cut-off feature when the engine overheats to help prevent significant damage. If this happens, it's best to tow your vehicle to your nearest automotive professional for a proper diagnosis.
How long does coolant additive last?
IATs or their additive package have an average lifespan of 2-3 years or between 48,000 and 72,000 km, depending on the package. After that, they can no longer protect the cooling system even though the coolant might still meet the freeze protection requirements.
Should I use a coolant additive?
You don't need to add anything to your coolant if you're not having a problem. Anything you add will probably make cooling worse. But if you have a leak, then of course you can add stop leak but then it might make the car run hotter and you risk blowing a head gasket.
Do coolant stop leak additives work?
It's important to understand that stop-leak is usually only a temporary solution, or a solution to a minor leak. Why is there a leak in your radiator? Stop leak additives may seal the pinhole leak in your radiator, but they may not deal with the source of the damage.
What does adding coolant to your car do?
For one, they help keep your engine cool by absorbing heat. This is especially important in hot weather or when driving for long periods. Overheating can cause serious engine damage, so keeping the system full of coolant is important. Another benefit is that they help protect your engine from rust and corrosion.
What happens if you don't add coolant?
So, without enough coolant, the engine could overheat or seize up. Continued use of an overheated engine could lead to permanent damage, such as pistons welding to the cylinders and complete engine failure.
What is a supplemental coolant additive?
SCAs, or supplemental coolant additives, are formulations added to the coolant stream to provide, as the name suggests, supplemental anti-corrosion and cavitation (or liner pitting) protection.
Does changing coolant improve performance?
Coolant can improve engine performance and extend its life. It prevents corrosion and overheating, two leading causes of engine failure. It also leads to better fuel economy. A coolant flush-and-fill maintains your car's health – It's recommended every two years or 30,000 miles.
Is it bad to add coolant without draining the old?
Can I Top Up Coolant Without Flushing? Yes, you can top up your coolant without flushing the system. However, it's important to use the proper type of fluid and make sure that the coolant is appropriate for your vehicle, clean, and doesn't contain any dangerous components.
How do coolant additives affect the cooling system?
Lowers the freezing point of the coolant. Increases the boiling point of the coolant. Reduces friction and sludge. Prevents corrosion at high temperatures.
