Cooling systems need to be protected in summer as well as in winter

Glysantin® protects engines from overheating

July 25, 2006 - Hot weather and traffic jams in the holiday season can cause vehicles to malfunction due to overheating, but breakdowns can easily be avoided by choosing the best engine coolant. “Many people only think about antifreeze in winter, but engines also need reliable coolants to prevent them from overheating in summer”, said Ralf Strauss, technical marketing manager at Performance Chemicals for Automotive and Oil Industry.

In order to prevent the engine from overheating, the cooling system has to be capable of absorbing the heat generated in the engine and releasing it to the to environment, but this is more difficult during hot weather. The cylinder head in the vicinity of the exhaust valves are particularly prone to overheating. Motorists are therefore recommended to use a high-performance engine coolant. “BASF has been supplying Glysantin® for 77 years. It has an excellent reputation, and it has continually been modified and adapted to fulfil the stringent demands of automobile manufacturers”, said Ralf Strauss. Glysantin® increases the boiling point of water to around 110 °C if it is diluted with water in the correct ratio of 1:1. The coolant can absorb more heat than water alone without boiling. Glysantin® also prevents deposits from forming inside the radiator. Deposits can quickly block the fine cooling channels in the radiator and impair the release of heat to the ambient air, with the result that the engine can easily overheat during hot summer weather.

The engine coolants supplied by BASF do more than just cooling the engine. Glysantin® protects all the metals in the cooling circuit, such as cast iron, aluminium, steel and brass, from corrosion. The presence of water and the high temperatures inside the engine combine to create a very corrosive environment. Corrosion can cause deep holes to be formed in the metal, which can cause the water pump or the whole cooling system to fail and can even cause the engine to seize up. The corrosion inhibitors contained in Glysantin® reliably prevent corrosion by reacting with the surfaces of the metals with which they come into contact in the cooling system to form a very thin layer that is extremely resistant to corrosion. Glysantin® also prevents parts made from rubber and plastics, such as the header tank, overflow tank and radiator hoses, from being attacked by the coolant.

The high quality of Glysantin® has been regularly confirmed by specialists. DEKRA, the international testing and certification company, has awarded its “Highly recommended” seal of approval to Glysantin® on several occasions since the award was first made in 1996. The automobile industry is also convinced by the high performance of Glysantin® from BASF, because it has more approvals than any other coolant.

Leading automobile manufacturers have confidence in Europe’s best selling engine coolant. Glysantin® Alu Protect/G 30 has been specially developed by BASF as a premium product for use in all conventional engines and in modern, high-performance aluminium engines.

“Glysantin® meets the challenges posed by today’s and tomorrow’s engine technology”, said Axel Kistenmacher, sales manager for Glysantin® in Europe. Glysantin® has already been approved by Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, MAN, MTU, Opel, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, VW and other motor manufacturers. Glysantin® ensures that motorists reliably reach their holiday destination, whatever the weather.

BASF Performance Chemicals – always one idea ahead!

The product range of the BASF Business Unit Performance Chemicals for Automotive and Oil Industry includes engine coolants, brake fluids and other specialized fluids, mineral oil dyes and markers, refinery chemicals, diesel and gasoline additives, low molecular weight polyisobutene (Glissopal®) and medium and high molecular weight polyisobutene (Oppanol ®). Our products are marketed worldwide. We are one of the leading suppliers in these fields. Further information on our products can be found at www.basf.com/automotive.oil.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. In 2005, BASF had approximately 81,000 employees and posted sales of more than €42.7 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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Thomas Kessel

BASF

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