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Coolants play an important role in carrying heat from the engine to the radiator where it vanishes into thin air. It lubricates the moving part of the system. Without enough coolant in a vehicle, the vehicle can overheat and cause severe damage to the engine and even other parts as well. Different coolants are used for different vehicles. But people often ask questions as “Can we use car coolant in a dirt bike instead of dirt bike coolant?”
Thus, we will acknowledge you with the best possible answer.
Is Car Coolant Equivalent to Dirt Bike Coolant?
A car coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a colored liquid mixed with water to prevent overheating of an engine. A car coolant maintains the internal temperature of the engine according to the external temperature. On the other hand, a dirt bike coolant is a fluid that moderates the temperature within the bike’s engine. A dirt bike coolant has higher freezing and boiling point.
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There are no big differences between car coolant and dirt bike coolant. However, there are some specific chemicals required for an individual vehicle which you have to make sure you are using the right one for the right vehicle.
Use of Car Coolant in a Dirt Bike
The majority of bikers and most experts recommend using the coolant that is suitable for your dirt bike, even if it is a car coolant. All you have to do is make sure it does not have any silicates. If silicates are present then do not use that coolant. If you buy a propylene glycol-based coolant then it is silicate-free and good to use.
Propylene glycol-based coolants are environmentally friendly and less toxic than ethylene glycol. Water, on the other hand, is also an efficient coolant as it can conduct heat with minimal temperature.
Preventive Measures
After you make sure that the car coolant you are using is silicate-free, you also have to be aware of other important things to ensure your safety and to prevent the coolant from damaging.
Firstly, do not use tap water for mixing. Always use distilled water and check the freezing temperature outside. You do not want to have your dirt bike freezing overnight and causing damage to the engine or radiator.
Secondly, make sure the coolant you are using has 50 percent distilled water mixed in it. If you buy the antifreeze in a gallon jug that is already mixed 50/50 then you won’t need to do anything. But if it is not mixed then you must mix it with distilled water.
Lastly, you must change the coolant of your dirt bike in at least 2 years because it degenerates over time.
You must be wondering why to use both water and antifreeze, even if water is good for cooling. While water is a good coolant, it causes corrosion. Contrarily, antifreeze has a lower freezing point and high boiling point than water. Therefore, if we mix both we get a suitable coolant for a dirt bike.
Conclusion
I hope this article will increase your knowledge about the usage of coolants in a dirt bike. If you have any queries, drop them down in the comment section and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Lastly, always remember to keep the precautionary measure and have a safe ride. HAPPY RIDING!
