Tech 101 - the colors of antifreeze
- Inorganic Acid Technology or IAT. : This is the common green stuff original equipment manufacturers have used for over 70 years. ...
- Organic Acid Technology or OAT. : Commonly referred in GM vehicles as Dex-Cool or to other manufacturers, propylene glycol. ...
- Hybrid Organic Acid Technology or HOAT. ...
What coolant is best?
- Mineral oils serve as both coolants and lubricants in many mechanical gears. Some vegetable oils, e.g. ...
- Silicone oils and fluorocarbon oils (like fluorinert) are favored for their wide range of operating temperatures. ...
- Transformer oil is used for cooling and additional electric insulation of high-power electric transformers. ...
What is coolant and is it the same as antifreeze?
Coolant is the fluid that circulates through passages in the engine block to regulate heat. Many people wrongly refer to it as antifreeze. They are not the same thing, as you have to mix water and antifreeze to make coolant. The mixture makes water an efficient cooler, capable of absorbing and dissipating heat.
What are the different colors of coolant?
Coolant and antifreeze are available in different colors, from red, pink, orange, blue, yellow, and green. When it comes to antifreeze or coolant, you should know this: the color determines its chemical makeup. The different colors may also mean each antifreeze or coolant has other properties of the liquid.
Does it matter what color antifreeze you use?
Yes, antifreeze type matters. Your owner’s manual will tell you which type to use in your Taurus. You can buy premixed (50/50) or mix it yourself, but that’s not what’s important. The type and color of the antifreeze are what matters, and you can’t mix types together. Well I just had to have a brand new radiator installed in my car.
What are the different colors of antifreeze?
Antifreeze or coolant can be yellow, pink or red, blue, and green. The color of the antifreeze/coolant is really based on the formula.
What does the color of antifreeze mean?
The color of healthy engine coolant is green (for ethylene glycol) or orange (for Dexcool). A rusty color indicates that the rust inhibitor in the coolant has broken down and it can no longer control rust and scale buildup.
Is antifreeze red or blue?
Antifreeze Blue is a full concentrate which meets BS6580 and contains the same pure ethylene glycol and anti-corrosive additives as the Red. Its application is for protection for up to a maximum of 2 years.
What happens if you use the wrong color antifreeze?
It's important to note that the type of coolant you should use can't accurately be identified by color. Using the wrong coolant can lead to corrosion and other damages to the radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, cylinder gasket, and more.
Does it matter what coolant I put in my car?
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.
Is it OK to mix red and blue antifreeze?
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.
Which color coolant is best?
The Colors of CoolantTYPEINHIBITOR TECHNOLOGYCOLORIAT (Inorganic Additive Technology)SilicatesGREENOAT (Organic Acid Technology)Organic AcidsORANGEHOAT (Hybrid OAT)Silicates & Organic AcidsYELLOWHOAT (Hybrid OAT, Phosphate-free)NAP FreeTURQUOISE2 more rows
What happens if you mix red and green coolant?
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.
Can you mix different color antifreeze?
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.
What should I do if I mixed green and orange coolant?
If you mix the two together, there's no real issue, but you shorten the life of the coolant to that of the green coolant, which means it would need to get changed sooner. While you cannot mix all coolants together, these two (if typical) can be mixed without issue.
Can I use blue coolant instead of green?
Both coolants will work equally as well in your Nissan, so in terms of a performance benefit there really isn't a difference. We personally would probably use Nissan Green as it comes in concentrated form (makes it a bit cheaper) and feel that changing the coolant more regularly is better for preventative maintenance.
Can I use red coolant instead of green?
If you mix these two types of antifreeze together, you could end up seriously damaging your car's cooling system. No matter what you do, always avoid mixing two different types of antifreeze together.
What are the benefits of using coolant?
Has the role of helping the engine to cool in the summer time (it keeps the engine from boiling over). Also protects the engine from freezing during winter.
How often should the coolant liquid be changed?
This is in theory, however in real world conditions, regardless of it’s quality, coolant (antifreeze) should be changed once every 2-5 years (average time after which it loses much of its benefits, unless specifically formulated as ‘lifetime’ on the bottle).
Why is coolant mixed with water?
Also in wintertime, water solidifies (freezes) and expands in volume which can crack your engine block, radiator and heater cores. This is the reason coolant is mixed with distilled water in a minimum 50/50 proportion. It lowers the freeze point of the coolant to protect it from freezing, even in the worst winter conditions.
What color is OAT coolant?
Organic Acid Technology (OAT) Present in newer cars all over the world, OAT coolant color ranges from orange, bright red, red, blue and dark green. This does not contain silicates or phosphates, however it contains corrosion inhibitors that enables it to last for a much longer period of time.
Why is it important to have coolant levels?
Proper coolant level is important. Having less in the system than the designed capacity lowers efficiency and can result in overheating.
How often should coolant be circulated?
In order to reduce the risk of deposits and to keep the protection levels high, it is recommended that the system is heated and circulated at least every 30 days. This applies to all coolant liquids.
What colors does antifreeze come in?
We will break it down for you to better understand why this liquid comes in a multitude of colors. Colors include blue, yellow, green, red, pink, turquoise, orange and purple.
What is the color of oat coolant?
OAT coolants are currently easily available from most auto parts stores. Hybrid Organic Acid Technology or HOAT: This coolant is usually dyed yellow but comes in other colors like green, pink, blue, red and orange, which leads to a lot of confusion. One way to know for sure if you are getting HOAT will be by the packaging.
When was antifreeze first used?
Initially it was used as a substitute for glycerol, a component in explosives. American production cars did not begin using any antifreeze until 1923, when an ethylene oxide based coolant was first used. Ethylene Glycol, the green antifreeze we have all been using as long as we can remember, did not replace ethylene oxide as ...
What color is ECD?
ECD can be attributed as the cause of many premature coolant system failures. Volkswagen, Audi and other European vehicles use antifreeze that can be blue, pink or red in color. Most of these are available under the brand name Pentosin in 1.5-liter bottles.
What is the green stuff that is used in the original equipment?
Inorganic Acid Technology or IAT: This is the common green stuff original equipment manufacturers have used for over 70 years. Ethylene glycol is its base chemical and there are silicate and phosphate additives that make it compatible with copper, brass, cast iron and aluminum cooling system components.
When was ethylene glycol used as a coolant?
Although ethylene glycol has been around since the 1850s, it was not considered for use as an automotive coolant until World War I when it was used in military vehicles to prevent radiators from icing up overnight. Initially it was used as a substitute for glycerol, a component in explosives. American production cars did not begin using any ...
When did GM use IAT?
IAT coolant was used in GM vehicles until 1994. Chrysler used green IAT fluid until 2001 as did Ford, (with the exception of some 1999 models that used OAT blue coolant which must be purchased from Ford). Organic Acid Technology or OAT: Commonly referred in GM vehicles as Dex-Cool or to other manufacturers, propylene glycol.
Does OAT extend coolant life?
The use of OAT and HOAT coolants can extend the life of rubber coolant hoses , because they conduct less electrochemical degradation or ECD than the conventional green antifreeze. ECD is the process by which the motion of coolant and water through your engine creates an electrical charge similar to a galvanic battery.
Why is Coolant/Antifreeze Different Colours?
Vehicle fluids vary in colour from bright pink to reddish-brown, so if you ever need help identifying which is which, take a look at our car fluid finder chart. As for coolant/antifreeze, there are a couple of key differences as to why some products are one colour and others are another, as our expert Bruce Ellis explains below:
What is the best antifreeze for radiators?
Here, we look at some of the advantages of replacing your coolant/antifreeze with a product like Prestone: 1 It can be mixed with any product – As Bruce touched on above, Prestone is safe to use with all types of coolant, so you can top up the reservoir without flushing the radiator. 2 It provides unbeatable protection – Prestone is stress-tested in extremes, from lows of -37°C to highs of +129°C, so you can be confident your car is always protected. 3 Guaranteed corrosion protection – Corrosion protection is one of the biggest plus points of using a product like Prestone. Our Coolant/Antifreeze protects against rust and corrosion for 10 years or 300,000 miles. 4 It’s ready to use – Simply flush and fill the whole system or top-up and go – the choice is yours. 5 Zero deposits – If you use water or low-quality coolant in your car, deposits like limescale can build up and cause problems. Prestone causes zero build-up and deposits, for total efficiency and performance.
What color is Prestone coolant?
Prestone is yellow, but many other coolant manufacturers use different colours. “These days, there’s no real reason for a coolant manufacturer to use a certain colour, so it’s not easy for you to know what chemicals are in the coolant just by seeing whether it’s blue, green, yellow or orange.
How long does Prestone coolant last?
If you’re using a product like Prestone then you don’t need to, as it’s guaranteed to provide protection for the cooling system for 10 years. However, if you’re not sure which coolant/antifreeze is in your car it’s worth draining the system and replacing it with a high-performance alternative.
Can you use Prestone with antifreeze?
Here, we look at some of the advantages of replacing your coolant/antifreeze with a product like Prestone: It can be mixed with any product – As Bruce touched on above, Prestone is safe to use with all types of coolant, so you can top up the reservoir without flushing the radiator.
What is coolant in cars?
Simply put, coolant is the liquid that functions to cool the engine in your car. To fully understand the automotive coolants of today, we must first look at the qualities of the pure water once used for this purpose. For cooling engines, water has some very positive qualities. It has a very high specific heat value.
What is Engine Coolant?
In the description above, “water” is the term used for the cooling fluid. But the cooling fluid will not be just water but a blend of water and antifreeze. The technical term for this blend is coolant.
What Type of Coolant Does MY Car Need?
Your car came from the manufacturer with the type of coolant it requires. For its lifetime, this same coolant type should be used. The type will be specified in your owner’s manual.
Can I Mix Different Coolants?
No. You should never take this risk . Coolant blends are decidedly different.
Why add water to coolant mix?
Why? Because adding that water will degrade freeze and boil-over protection. So you should soon have the system leak checked and the coolant mix either corrected to restore protection or the system flushed and refilled.
How many different types of antifreeze are there?
One popular auto parts store sells 17 different types of antifreeze for cars and trucks. Here we will attempt to collapse this dizzying array into the basic types of antifreeze and antifreeze colors you might expect to find on retailers’ shelves.
What is the freezing temperature of water?
Water has a freezing temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit which makes it unsuitable for engines used in most high latitude climates worldwide.
What is antifreeze in cars?
What is antifreeze? Put simply, antifreeze, also called coolant, is the lifeblood of your vehicle during cold winter and hot summer months. If you do not have antifreeze in your vehicle when temperatures drop, you may find yourself stranded somewhere you would rather not be. Your vehicle also may fail to start altogether. Both of these situations also happen because of overheated engines.
When to replace coolant?
Unlike brake fluid and even engine oil, which may retain its appearance over time, coolant changes color as it breaks down. If your antifreeze takes on a rust-colored or brownish hue, it is likely time to flush it out of your radiator and replace it with a fresh supply.
Why is antifreeze better than water?
Why does antifreeze do a better job than ordinary water? The chemical formula of antifreeze both lowers its freezing temperature and raises its boiling temperature. As such, when ambient temperatures drop below freezing, antifreeze prevents cold weather from damaging your vehicle’s engine. Further, when your vehicle warms up due to either normal functionality or high outside temperatures, antifreeze keeps internal engine temperatures under control.
What is the best ratio of antifreeze to distilled water?
Generally, a 60-40 or even 70-30 ratio is appropriate.
Does antifreeze degrade over time?
The ethylene glycol or polyproline glycol in most antifreeze blends does not degrade over time. Still, antifreeze has anti-corrosion compounds that break down with ordinary usage. These compounds protect the metallic components in your vehicle’s radiator, engine, and other systems from rusting. If you do not occasionally replace antifreeze, sensitive parts of your vehicle may corrode.
Does a water pump circulate coolant?
As mentioned, your vehicle’s water pump circulates coolant throughout its engine cooling system. While you know that the pump moves antifreeze, you may also wonder if water would work equally as well. The simple answer is no.
Is antifreeze toxic to dogs?
Still, some recipes may use organic compounds that may appeal to you. Regardless of the color of antifreeze you choose, you should realize that coolant can be toxic to humans and pets. Therefore, you should not allow children, dogs or cats to drink spilled antifreeze.
What color is antifreeze?
If you are unsure what antifreeze is in your system, the antifreeze is brown, an off-color from what is recommended, or what has been put in is an HOAT “all makes” antifreeze, the best option is to plan a flush as soon as possible. Lastly, we need to discuss water, because it’s actually not the easy part!
What is antifreeze made of?
Traditional antifreeze (the old green stuff) is known as IAT antifreeze, which refers to Inorganic Acid Technology. It was fortified with silicates and phosphates, which were used primarily to keep corrosion down within the system.
What Are “All Makes” Coolants?
So what exactly are the “all makes” coolants? They are HOAT – Hybrid Organic Acid Technology. This is an Antifreeze where manufacturers use Nitrates to literally make a “tweener” antifreeze – that’s something in between IAT and OAT – meaning, it’s a jack of all trades, and a master of none. It works, and is a great alternative in a pinch, but there are better methods and options for the customer if their vehicle requires a specific antifreeze – like the Pentosin and Peak manufacturer-specific antifreezes on the market. Mixing traditional IAT (green) antifreeze with an OAT antifreeze can also cause a world of problems. In the late 90’s, Dexcool, GM’s new OAT Antifreeze suffered this wrath and for a while, garnered a horrible reputation because unknowing customers were mixing traditional green IAT antifreeze into their Dexcool systems, eventually creating a brown nasty sludge over time that many consumers faulted Dexcool for. Dexcool was not the problem.
How long does antifreeze last?
The life of IAT antifreeze breaks down heavily around 36,000 miles in the system, causing massive corrosive issues once the coolant begins to break down. It breaks down so bad, that it can even begin to conduct electricity through electrolysis and begin eating your system from the inside!
What is coolant made of?
This was especially important when the primary item that coolant was protecting from was rust in cast iron in engine blocks, heads, and other engine components in the cooling system made from iron.
What happened to IAT antifreeze?
Phosphates on the other hand, over time, dried and corroded anything rubber – like water pump seals. The life of IAT antifreeze breaks down heavily around 36,000 miles in the system, causing massive corrosive issues once the coolant begins to break down. It breaks down so bad, that it can even begin to conduct electricity through electrolysis and begin eating your system from the inside! Because of this, European and Japanese manufacturers began working on OAT, or Organic Acid Technology Antifreeze.
What colors are antifreeze?
Antifreeze is available in many different colors in the market, including green, orange, yellow, purple, and red. This has led to many users differentiating antifreeze based on color, which is not the right approach.
What is the temperature of motorcraft antifreeze?
Motorcraft antifreeze/coolants also offer freeze protection up to -34 °F and heat safety up to 265 °F. It is also available in two convenient sizes: 1-gallon bottles for personal use and 55-gallon drums for shop use.
How long does orange antifreeze last?
Overall, orange antifreeze is a robust coolant and lasts for up to 5 years or 150,000 miles.
How long does Valvoline Zerex last?
Valvoline Zerex offers protection for five years/150,000 miles for light-duty vehicles and three years/300,000 miles for heavy-duty vehicles.
What happens if you use the wrong coolant?
It can result in reduced protection against corrosion which can affect the engine and cooling system component.
How long does a diesel engine coolant last?
This coolant is an ideal choice for year-round use and offers a service life of 7+ years or 750,000+ miles for diesel engines.
How long can you use antifreeze?
This antifreeze combines the OAT and IAT technology to provide more excellent resistance against corrosion. Customers can use it for up to 5 years or 150,000 miles.
