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Wikipedia does a wonderful job of explaining why antifreeze is used in cars vs water:
Keep in mind that “When used in an automotive context, corrosion inhibitors are added to help protect vehicles' cooling systems, which often contain a range of electrochemically incompatible metals (aluminum, cast iron, copper, solder, et cetera). --- If plain water is used to cool an engine, it would promote galvanic corrosion. �?
The final advantage of antifreeze is that “Water pump seal lubricant is also added�?. Without this lubricant, water pumps would fail.
I submit that in a racing motor, longevity is not a primary consideration. However, in a car driven on public roads, the benefits of antifreeze go beyond transferring heat. Yes, antifreeze on a track is slippery, but has anyone ever seen an air cooled 911 drop oil from their various lines? Should we ban oil in engines because it may lead to an accident? I would hate to slide on someone’s antifreeze just as I would hate to slide on someone’s oil.
Things happen. Things break, whether they are oil lines or coolant lines. We all need to do our best to minimize failures of any kind! So before those of us that take part in DE and do not have dedicated race cars rush to mandate a ban on antifreeze, we need to examine unintended results of rash judgments.
- 1. Maintain proper engine temperature
2. Prevents corrosion
3. Lubricates water pump seals
Keep in mind that “When used in an automotive context, corrosion inhibitors are added to help protect vehicles' cooling systems, which often contain a range of electrochemically incompatible metals (aluminum, cast iron, copper, solder, et cetera). --- If plain water is used to cool an engine, it would promote galvanic corrosion. �?
The final advantage of antifreeze is that “Water pump seal lubricant is also added�?. Without this lubricant, water pumps would fail.
I submit that in a racing motor, longevity is not a primary consideration. However, in a car driven on public roads, the benefits of antifreeze go beyond transferring heat. Yes, antifreeze on a track is slippery, but has anyone ever seen an air cooled 911 drop oil from their various lines? Should we ban oil in engines because it may lead to an accident? I would hate to slide on someone’s antifreeze just as I would hate to slide on someone’s oil.
Things happen. Things break, whether they are oil lines or coolant lines. We all need to do our best to minimize failures of any kind! So before those of us that take part in DE and do not have dedicated race cars rush to mandate a ban on antifreeze, we need to examine unintended results of rash judgments.