Antifreeze and cooling agents have the capacity to stay in liquid form below 0°C because they can retain energy and thus not change their physical state.
The main agents of antifreeze are either methanol, which was the most widely used agent until the late1930s, ethylene glycol that became available in 1937 or propylene glycol which is used as antifreeze where ethylene glycol would be inappropriate such as in food processing systems or in pipes in homes.
Antifreeze is added into car radiators to prevent freezing when it is very cold and also keep your car from overheating on very hot days. Originally, motorists drove cars without heaters or side windows, making winter driving very unpleasant. Also, it was extremely difficult to start a car in cold weather. The development of car heaters and side windows and the improvement of engines and lubricants led to more winter driving and the requirement of antifreeze/coolant.
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