What type antifreeze for my car

Prestone believes you can retrofit to its organic acid orange almost any vehicle with an aluminum radiator and cooling system that has been well-maintained and is in good condition, if you do it right. H owever, the antifreeze maker recognizes the possibility of a problem with Dodge truck 5. Getting the right type for your car is even more vital now antifreeze has been made vehicle-specific. What does antifreeze do exactly?

This system uses coolant to cool the engine. At the same time, coolants also keep vehicles from freezing in cold weather (winter) as antifreeze includes ingredients that don’t freeze in ice cold temperature. This article will help answer these questions and more.

Engine coolant , also known as antifreeze , is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat. There are many different types of coolant, so it’s important to know what variety is right for your car or truck. GM has had problems with DEX-COOL.

The chemical ethylene glycol is used as a base to create a liquid that is pumped through your car’s engine to regulate and maintain an optimal operating temperature during extreme hot or cold weather conditions. It’s less toxic to pets and wildlife if ingested. There are no standardized rules for manufacturers about what colors to use for their formulas.

There are basic types of antifreeze used today, ethylene glycol base propylene Glycol based and the newer Organic Acid Technology.

The biggest thing to look out for is using the organic acid technology (OAT) in older vehicles with brass or copper radiators. OAT antifreeze is designed to be used. Now most people will be surprised to hear that coolant plays almost no role in the actual cooling of your engine. Coolant in its base form is Ethylene Glycol.

The Job of the coolant is simply to inhibit rust and lower the freezing temperature of the water. Always use the right kind of antifreeze for your car and keep it at the correct strength, otherwise internal rust or sludge may result.

Antifreeze in the cooling system Heater hoses In the heater, hot coolant circulatesthrough a matrix, heating the air which isblown into the car. Fortunately, there aren’t nearly as many types of coolant out there to choose from as there is oil, but it’s still important to understand the differences between each kind and know how to make the right decision when it comes to buying antifreeze for your car or truck. And because of its importance, it’s vital you keep a regular check on the condition of the fluid.

So, pop the bonnet, locate your coolant bottle and remove the lid. The history of car coolant. Hoat coolant and oat coolant explained. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last years.

Modern car cooling systems are smaller and operating temperatures and pressures are higher which makes it even more important to use the correct additive. The correct type of coolant for your car should be shown clearly in the vehicle handbook along with advice on recommended concentrations. It prevents corrosion and helps to stop a vehicle from overheating, keeping your engine healthy and happy.

There are two main types of antifreeze : concentrated and ready mixed. It can be tempting to pop the cap on your radiator’s overflow tank (never when it’s hot), look at the color of the coolant you already have in the car and then buy whatever antifreeze matches that shade. Unfortunately, you can’t simply use color as a shorthand for the right coolant for your car. It says either Dex-cool or Drextron on the container. Prevents rust and clogging in the radiator.

Differences in the various types of coolant (or “antifreeze”) run far deeper than just their color…. In fact, many manufacturers today (especially the European car makes) each develop specific types of coolant for use in their engines. If either of these situations takes place, your engine simply shuts down. This is where auto antifreeze helps.

These antifreeze use organic acids but not 2-EHA and usually include silicates to provide protection for aluminium surfaces. A HOAT coolant will need to be changed every five years or 150miles. Breaking the Old Antifreeze Habit. There are advantages to using only one type of coolant, both for newer and for classic cars. Classic car owners traditionally use inorganic acid coolants, the ones that are ethylene-glycol-based and bright green in color.

In other words, use only the recommended type or color, and never mix antifreeze types. Toyota, Volkswagen, and Audi all use their own formulas that happen to be dyed pink.

OAT coolants have longer service lives than IAT coolants, needing to be flushed every years or 150miles. Best Answer: Time for a coolant flush right away, and have a mechanic determine why your car is not holding proper coolant level. Honda uses a dark green dye. Traditional coolants (often green or yellow) generally use silicates, while new style (generally orange or pink) coolants use organic acids.

Antifreeze is an automotive fluid that is circulated through and around the car’s engine and other key components. While concentrated needs to be diluted before it can be use ready mixed is, as the name suggests, ready to use straight away - ideal for topping up while on the road! Subscribe to our Newsletter. While water is always an option for coolant, it’s never been the best one, especially in cold climates because it will freeze.

Wood alcohol (methyl alcohol) became the first antifreeze, but its high rate of evaporation and corrosive qualities led to its eventual replacement by ethylene glycol,. The type and color of the antifreeze are what matters, and you can’t mix types together. Which type of antifreeze your particular model uses should be listed on the expansion tank (Gor G12) and in your owner’s manual.

Also note the color, which will be either pink or purple. Always use the same antifreeze when topping off, or flush your coolant system completely before switching.