There are three main types of coolant that car companies use: Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT), Organic Acid Technology (OAT), and Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT). Typically, older cars use IAT.
What type of coolant do I need?
For most vehicles, a glycol based antifreeze coolant is the best type of coolant to be used in any vehicle radiator. However, using the glycol based antifreeze alone is usually not a good idea. In most cases, you will need to mix the glycol based antifreeze with a certain amount of water.
What are the different types of engine coolant?
- • IAT – Inorganic Additive Technology. ...
- • OAT – Organic Acid Technology. ...
- • HOAT – Hybrid Organic Acid Technology. ...
- • Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Cooling Systems.
What is the difference in coolant colors?
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. ... A milky color indicates the presence of oil in the system.
Does it matter what 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.
What are the 2 types of coolant?
There are three main types of coolant that car companies use: Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT), Organic Acid Technology (OAT), and Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) . Typically, older cars use IAT. It needs to be changed every two years or 24,000 miles, making it far inferior to newer formulas.
What happens if you use the wrong color antifreeze?
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. ... Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket.
Can I mix pink and blue coolant?
Part of this also includes making sure that you have enough antifreeze in your car. The last thing you want is for your engine to overheat. ... These days you can actually get yellow antifreeze, blue antifreeze, pink antifreeze and more. The fact is, mixing these liquids is not safe.
Is there a warning light for low coolant?
The most common reason for the coolant light to become illuminated is simply that the coolant level is too low . There may be a floating sensor in your coolant tank that triggers the warning light when the level drops. ... Low coolant levels are usually caused by leaks, either in the reservoir or somewhere in the lines.
Can I mix different brands of coolant?
If you mix two different coolants together, it will create a think substance that resembles that of a jelly. If this happens, the coolant will not be able to do its intended job. Instead, it will cause the engine to overheat. The damage can reach gasket, water pump, and radiator.
Can I mix pink and green coolant?
Absolutely yes . But don’t mix up two different types of coolant as it may lead to some damaging effects.
What’s the difference between red and blue antifreeze?
Antifreeze mixes with water to form a covalent bond to prevent the water from freezing. ... 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.
Is coolant the same as antifreeze?
Engine coolant , also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat.
Which coolant is best for cars?
- Valvoline MaxLife Engine Antifreeze : Best Multi-purpose Antifreeze.
- Shell Rotella ELC Nitrite Free Antifreeze : Best Antifreeze for Diesel Engines.
- EVANS Cooling Systems High-Performance Waterless Engine Coolant : Best High-Performance Coolant.
- Havoline Xtended Life Engine Coolant : Best Ready-To-Use Coolant.
Can I mix green and blue coolant?
Blue G11 coolant doesn’t mix with G12 or green, orange or any other off the shelf coolants.
Can I put water in my coolant?
You can put water into your car radiator if your engine is overheating, the coolant overflow reservoir is very low or empty, and you have no other option.
