The short answer is that you can mix different coolant brands and mixtures as long as they are the same type of coolant. The color doesn’t matter as much since it’s just a dye. But it’s best to match that as well – because each coolant has special additive packages that help with corrosion, performance and coolant flow.
Is it safe to mix different types of coolant?
You should never mix different types of coolant if you are not an expert on the chemical composition and reactions of the various types. Stay on the safe side and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Using the wrong type of coolant can lead to expensive repair costs.
What type of anti-freeze do I need for my car?
Always check the specifications of what type of coolant your engine type requires! Green coolant is by far the most common type of anti-freeze in vehicles.
What kind of coolant do I have in my car?
Always double-check what kind of coolant is in your vehicle instead of relying solely on the color. If you’ve never flushed the coolant on your vehicle, you can check the owner’s manual, if you have changed the coolant, you might be out of luck.
What happens if you put two different coolants in a car?
Not only does this shorten the lifespan of the coolant, but it can cause your engine to overheat and damage your system. So, while there are some forums out there that claim you just need to go to the shorter lifespan of the two coolants – this is 100 percent false, and it can severely damage your engine.
Can I top off with any coolant?
Check your vehicle owner manual if you are not sure about the type or amount of coolant to use. You might save a little money by buying coolant that is approved for all cars, but it is better to stick with the coolant that was specially designed for your vehicle.
Can you mix 2 different coolants?
Some people believe that they can mix the two. This is a mistake and can lead to expensive repairs. The two coolants should never be mixed together as they do not react well. When mixed together they can form a thick, jelly-like substance that can completely stop all coolant flow which can lead to overheating.
Can you put any coolant in any car?
Getting it right There are lots of different types of antifreeze and it's crucial to understand that there is no single antifreeze that's suitable for all makes and models. The best thing to do is to always use the antifreeze that's recommended by your car manufacturer.
What happens if you mix different coolants?
Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages; this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator.
Can you add new coolant to old coolant?
There is no problem with just topping up the coolant. You can add the coolant without flushing out the old. However, with time, the older coolant becomes acidic. This can cause corrosion, and afterward, can cause defects in the cooling system.
Does the coolant color matter?
The truth is, color is not a reliable predictor for what type of coolant you have.
Does it matter what brand of coolant I use?
Well, you use the coolant that is specified in your owner's manual. If you just need to top it up, the recommendation is still the same, however it is unlikely to cause any serious problems if you add a litre of a different type of coolant, as long as you follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
Can wrong coolant cause overheating?
There's a problem with your coolant – If the wrong coolant was put in your car, or you have an improper coolant-to-water ratio (50/50 is proper), your engine may be prone to overheating.
Is coolant a car specific?
Different vehicles require different coolants. There are varieties for every type of vehicle, from diesel engines to American, Asian and European vehicles. Each one is specifically formulated to keep its designated engine type running in extreme temperatures.
What color is universal coolant?
greenTraditional North American “green” antifreeze, the original “universal” formula that everybody used until the introduction of today's extended-life coolants.
Is it okay to mix different color coolant?
It's never a good idea to mix two different colors or types of antifreeze. Mixing two formulas won't cause any dangerous reactions or explosions, but it could turn your coolant into a sludgy chemical mixture that won't be able to flow properly through your cooling system.
Is it OK to mix pink and yellow coolant?
You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever. But if you mix a significant amount of one type in with the other type, you're weakening your corrosion inhibitors (it happened to my brother, and look at the condition he's in now).
Is it OK to mix pink and yellow coolant?
You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever. But if you mix a significant amount of one type in with the other type, you're weakening your corrosion inhibitors (it happened to my brother, and look at the condition he's in now).
What happens if you mix orange and green coolant?
The green and orange coolants do not mix. When mixed together they form a gel-like substance that stops coolant flow, and consequently, the engine overheats.
Can you mix universal coolant with red coolant?
You can't simply go by the color of the dye in the coolant because two coolants with similar colors may have different chemistry, and two coolants with different colors may have similar chemistry. What's more, colors can change if somebody tops off the system with a different coolant.
Can you mix red and green coolant?
What is this? In fact, if you were to mix green and red antifreeze together, it would end up creating a thick gel that would fail to flow through your cooling system properly. This can cause overheating, as well as damage to various components of your car's cooling system.
What to do if you have never flushed coolant?
If you’ve never flushed the coolant on your vehicle, you can check the owner’s manual , if you have changed the coolant, you might be out of luck. If you don’t know, go ahead and flush the entire system before potentially mixing the wrong type of coolant.
How often should I flush out coolant?
Green anti-freeze doesn’t last as long as orange coolant, but you should double-check your vehicle’s recommended service intervals before heading to flush out the coolant every few thousand miles.
What to do if you can't find anti-freeze?
If you can’t find out for sure what kind of anti-freeze is in your vehicle, it’s best to complete a coolant flush so you know for sure what’s in there. Always check the specifications of what type of coolant your engine type requires!
How often should I flush my Dexcool?
GM manufactured Dexcool and promised that you’d only need to flush your system every 150,000-miles if you used it. This is a much longer service life than regular anti-freeze, so you can see why its popularity surged. The only problem is that Dexcool didn’t always work as advertised.
What is the ratio of antifreeze to water?
The ideal anti-freeze to water ratio is 60 percent anti-freeze and 40 percent water. But if you’re in a pinch, add water – not a different kind of anti-freeze. Not only will you avoid problems, but you’ll have no problem getting where you’re going either.
Does orange antifreeze have Dexcool?
For instance, not every vehicle that has orange anti-freeze has Dexcool. And if you add Dexcool into your regular orange anti-freeze, you’re asking for a problem. Always double-check and triple-check which kind of coolant is in your vehicle – don’t just rely on the color. If you can’t find out for sure what kind of anti-freeze is in your vehicle, ...
Does orange coolant mean Dexcool?
Moreover, just because you open the hood and see orange coolant, that doesn’t mean you have Dexcool. Always double-check what kind of coolant is in your vehicle instead of relying solely on the color. If you’ve never flushed the coolant on your vehicle, you can check the owner’s manual, if you have changed the coolant, you might be out of luck.
