Ever since 1926 when ethylene glycol was first used as an automotive antifreeze, our vehicles have used some form of antifreeze consistently.

To really understand the term antifreeze, we should look at what exactly it is. Primarily it’s a fluid mixture used to transfer heat out of an internal combustion engine. Additionally, it’s used to protect engines from freezing in colder-weather climates. Along with these important functions, it also is a corrosion inhibitor, lubricates the water pump and reduces foaming. That’s a lot of functions for just a liquid to do.

For years it was green, and you just put it in and forgot about it. Today, not so much. Today’s cooling-system fluids are varied and come in many varieties. Taking them for granted will only end in undesirable events.

There are four main causes of cooling-system failures.

This video is sponsored by The Pronto Network.