Does Antifreeze Expire? Effects of Using Bad Antifreeze

“Does antifreeze expire?” is a question that most car owners are confused about, especially if there has been antifreeze in their car for a long time. Although most people know that antifreeze can last in the car for a long time, it’s unclear how long this would be.

If you’re worried that your car’s antifreeze has been there for too long or you’ve had a sealed bottle of concentrated antifreeze on your shelf for a long time, you might be wondering about the expiry date. Continue reading the article below to know more about this.

Does Antifreeze Expire?

No, antifreeze does not expire because the chemicals used to make it are stable and don’t break down easily. Antifreeze in the car becomes degraded after 30,000 miles, but if it is still sealed in the original container, it can last for over ten years.

Antifreeze can last for over a decade when it is sealed and stored, but once you open it, it decreases to around five years. Unlike other chemicals, antifreeze has a long shelf life since it is made with propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. It is also stored in sealed containers to prevent contamination.

Keep in mind that diluted coolant expires faster and easily once you open the bottle. When water is added to the antifreeze, it breaks down the chemicals and makes it expire faster. Also, when diluted antifreeze is exposed to heat and light, the process is accelerated. So, you should store it in a cool and dark place.

Engine coolant will not exactly expire, but it will degrade, especially when you add chemicals or additives to the fluid. When it degrades, the propylene glycol or ethylene glycol breaks down and creates acidic chemicals, which can damage the components of your car’s cooling system. It would also lose its color, making it hard to identify it when it’s time for a replacement.

How Long Does It Take for Antifreeze to Expire?

It takes over 10 years for antifreeze to expire if it is sealed and has not been exposed to elements. This is for pure antifreeze, as it would take a shorter time for diluted antifreeze. Antifreeze that has been opened takes about five years to expire, depending on the storage.

If you have already added the engine coolant to your car, it will take about 30,000 miles for it to expire. It can be more or less depending on the driving and environmental conditions. If the antifreeze is slushy, it means it has lost its effect, and you should replace it.

Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out if your antifreeze has expired, especially if you’ve had the bottle for a long time. It’s best to get a new bottle of antifreeze rather than damage your engine or cooling components with old and degraded antifreeze.

What Happens if You Use Expired Antifreeze?

If you use expired antifreeze, it can cause your engine to overheat. It can also lead to damage to the radiator, water pump, hoses, and gaskets. If you have an old bottle of antifreeze that is no longer good, it’s best to purchase a new one.

Overheating Engine

If there is one part of your car that would be damaged severely by bad antifreeze, it is the car engine. When you use degraded antifreeze, the liquid will not be able to cool the engine.

This causes the engine to overheat and would damage the engine components. This can also happen if the antifreeze in your car is too old.

Water Pump and Radiator Damage

The radiator and water pump are important parts of the car’s cooling system, so they won’t be spared by bad antifreeze. If you use degraded antifreeze, the newly created chemicals, which are usually acidic, would cause the water pump and radiator to fail. These components are not designed to handle acidic conditions.

Damage to the Hoses and Gaskets

The hoses and gaskets in your car can also deteriorate and fail if you use degraded antifreeze. With expired antifreeze, the hoses and gaskets would eventually fail. It’s better to spend a couple of dollars on a new bottle of antifreeze than to replace all the hoses and gaskets in your car.

What Are the Signs of Bad Antifreeze?

The signs of bad antifreeze include decolorization, bad smell, overheating engine or the liquid having a thick texture. If antifreeze has been in your car for 30,000 miles or more than two years, and you notice any of these signs, you should change it before it causes damage.

Antifreeze is Changing Color

If you check your antifreeze and you notice it’s a different color from what it was supposed to be, you should change it immediately. Decolorization is one of the signs that the antifreeze in your car has expired.

This can be due to the contamination of the chemicals. But seeing a different color might also confuse you when it’s time to replace the antifreeze.

It Is Giving A Bad Smell

Bad coolant would also give a weird smell, which is a surefire sign that you have to replace it. The smell would be due to the acidic chemicals that have been made by the antifreeze chemicals. If you ignore the smell coming from under the hood, you might end up with a damaged radiator and water pump.

Antifreeze Has A Sludge-Like Texture

Antifreeze that has gone bad would also change in texture. The texture would become thick and look like sludge due to the degradation of the chemicals. If this happens, it will also damage the water pump and radiator.

Your Engine is Overheating

If the antifreeze in your car has expired, it will no longer be effective. This means that it won’t effectively cool your engine, causing it to overheat. It can also damage other components in the engine system.

If your engine is overheating and you realize that you haven’t changed your antifreeze in a while, you should inspect the cooling system.

How Do You Dispose of Antifreeze?

You can dispose of antifreeze by taking it to a recycling center that would accept and process automotive fluids. You can also take it to an automotive shop that would accept old or bad antifreeze, as some shops help you recycle it for a fee.

It’s not recommended to pour the antifreeze down your drain, as this is illegal and can also damage your pipes or the entire water supply. You should also not leave it in the bottle and dump it in the trash. When handling old antifreeze from your car, it’s best to use protective gear like gloves so that the chemicals don’t affect you.

Another option is to go to a service station to help you get rid of antifreeze. If there is no recycling center close to you or no auto shop that wants to collect the old antifreeze, you should call the local waste disposal service in your town or city. They should be able to provide you with a safe way to dispose of the antifreeze without causing damage.

In general, antifreeze cannot be poured down the drain, toilet, sewer or dumped in the trash. Ensure that you store it separately and seal it to prevent spilling. Clean up any spills from the container immediately and keep them away from kids or pets. If there is no way, you can also hire a commercial waste hauler to pick up your antifreeze and dispose of it.

How Can You Make Your Antifreeze Last Longer?

You can make your antifreeze last longer by keeping it in a tightly sealed bottle, keeping it away from sunlight and extreme heat, avoiding contact with other fluids, and looking for changes in consistency and color. Also, check for expiration dates, add a coolant additive, and use distilled water.

Store in a Tightly Sealed Bottle

Leaving your engine coolant exposed can lead to contamination, especially since it has a 50% concentration of water. So, you should keep it in a tightly sealed container to prolong the shelf life.

Also, you shouldn’t change the container to another one but stick to one for long-term storage. If anything, keep the antifreeze in the container it came in.

Keep Away From Heat and Sunlight

It’s important to store your antifreeze coolant away from sunlight and extreme heat. You can store it in garage storage or in an industrial cabinet, as long as it’s not in the path of sunlight.

Also, antifreeze is flammable, so it should be kept away from places where there might be a fire. If the antifreeze container accidentally leaks, you’ll have an accident on your hands.

Use Distilled Water

When adding a new coolant to your car’s system, you should combine the antifreeze with distilled water rather than tap water. By using distilled water, you can prevent getting contaminants and impurities into the antifreeze, which would make it degrade faster.

Avoid Contact With Other Fluids

Antifreeze can also go bad when it mixes up with other fluids. It can make your car emit toxic fumes or damage other parts of the engine or cooling system. So, it’s important to be careful. Avoid coming in contact with oils, water, or any other fluid when adding antifreeze to your car. If antifreeze mixes with another fluid, don’t use it but dispose of it.

Keep Away from Kids and Pets

If you want your antifreeze to last longer, you should definitely keep it away from children and pets. Despite being poisonous upon ingestion, antifreeze has an attractive color, and it tastes kind of sweet, which can cause your child or pet to consume it. If you think they ingested antifreeze, go to the emergency center or dial 911, or call the vet immediately.

Use a Coolant Additive

You can prolong the life of your antifreeze by using a coolant additive when pouring it into the cooling system. The coolant additive protects the components of the cooling system from corrosion and causes your antifreeze to last longer.

Check the Expiration Date

Some antifreeze manufacturers add an expiration date to the product even if the antifreeze cannot expire. This date is more like a quality control deadline, so it’s important to use it before it is too late. If you have antifreeze that you don’t need yet, you can give it to a friend or neighbor before it expires.

How Often Should Antifreeze Be Changed?

Antifreeze should be changed every 30,000 miles or two years, depending on which comes first. If it’s a new car, you can wait until after the first 60,000 miles. Also, check the owner’s manual to see what the car company recommends.

Conclusion

Now that you know the answer to the question, does antifreeze expire, you know what to do if you notice something wrong with your antifreeze. Here’s a rundown of what the article covered:

• Antifreeze does not expire because it is made with stable chemicals, but it would degrade after 30,000 miles in the car or 10 years in a sealed container.
• Using expired antifreeze can overheat the engine or damage the radiator, water pump, hoses or gasket.
• Signs of bad antifreeze in your car include a bad smell, discoloration of the antifreeze, a thick texture, and an overheating engine.

If your antifreeze is bad, it’s best to replace it immediately to prevent any damage to your car. If you’re unsure about what you’re doing, you can contact a mechanic.

References

• http://thescienceexplorer.com/nature/science-behind-antifreeze