How to choose “antifreeze”?
"Nezzayki" are different: blue, green, red … which is better? And it may also be banned in the country in methyl alcohol. Is it really that dangerous to health?
Color is not the main parameter that is taken into account when buying winter windshield washer fluids. Frankly, she does not consider the selection of goods. The two main ones are the presence of methyl alcohol in the composition and the freezing point.
To solve the problem at first glance is not difficult. You just need to read the labels carefully. If it indicates the presence of isopropyl alcohol (ethyl alcohol sometimes, but this is rare) – good. Like the freezing temperature, this parameter is always written in "capital letters" in the most prominent place.
It remains only to convince people to buy "antifreeze" on the side of the road, and the article may end … but not everything is so simple in the current state.
At the end of November, Rospotrebnadzor conducted a raid in the Moscow region, which was checked by a large amount of anti-freeze liquid for car windows. It turned out that about 60% of "nezamerzaika" in Moscow is a fake. They can be poured into "expensive" banks, which will be written exactly what you expect to see there.
And how to be? You must be attentive and careful. Indeed, it is not necessary to buy "antifreeze" on the side of the road. The most harmless thing that can be is water, which is diluted with alcohol. In this case, the liquid should be safe for health, I only freeze when it is “minus five" (for example).
By the way, there is a roadside trade and a definite plus. If there is a Big minus on the street, and the water in the jars does not freeze, this means a low temperature, such “non-freezing” keeps well.
Before pouring newly purchased fluids into the car, put it overnight in the freezer of the refrigerator. If in the morning the liquid did not freeze, then this means “minus fifteen”, she will use it.
If the temperature in your area is below -15 degrees, do the same, keeping a jar of "anti-freeze" on the balcony. Check her physical condition in the morning. If there is liquid inside, calmly pour it into the tank, if there is ice, it’s not worth the risk.
As for methyl alcohol, experts do not have a unanimous opinion on whether "antifreeze" on the basis of it was spilled in the car or not. Someone will say that it is absolutely impossible for methyl alcohol vapor to affect the health of the driver and passengers in the best way. Others say that methyl alcohol is not dangerous when…not drinking. In their favor is the lack of high-profile press stories about drivers poisoned by antifreeze fumes.
I don’t think I agree to fill in methyl alcohol. In addition, I will tell you how to determine the presence of antifreeze. First, it doesn’t smell as bad as isopropyl alcohol. Try heating with a copper wire lighter and dip it into the liquid. The presence of methyl alcohol will expose the revealed smell of vinegar.
You can also pour antifreeze into a jar and add a little soda. If the dishes are methanol, the soda will dissolve completely, if the isopropyl alcohol precipitates.