Coolant is essential for regulating your car engine’s temperature, thus preventing it from overheating. Mixing different coolants carries various risks, which could cause serious engine damage. Our guide answers your coolant questions.
Engine coolant is a type of fluid that regulates your vehicle’s engine temperature. Most coolants contain approximately 50% water and 50% antifreeze (propylene or ethylene glycol). The glycol in the coolant is designed to prevent the liquid from freezing in colder weather but also absorb and release heat from the engine block and head.
There are three types of engine coolants; Organic acid technology (OAT), inorganic additive technology (IAT) and a hybrid coolant that contains a mixture of OAT and IAT compounds, known as hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT).
In the past, coolant was only available in red or blue. These colours were used to reflect the formula and ingredients used in the coolant. Today, you’ll find coolants in various colours, from orange and pink to green. As there are more colours for coolant, it can be difficult to identify the correct coolant for your car. Check inside the engine bay for a label which will indicate which colour coolant is required for your vehicle.
While coolant and antifreeze are similar, they are not the same. Antifreeze is a concentrated liquid containing glycol and inhibitors that lower the water’s freezing point, thus preventing the water from turning into ice and damaging the engine. Coolant is also used to control the engine temperature but is not as concentrated and is pre-mixed with distilled water.
Mixing different coolants could turn the coolant chemicals into a slushy mixture, thus clogging the engine’s cooling system and ruining your car. If you put the wrong coolant in the coolant system, it could also cause the following issues, such as:
We hope you found this information useful and that the article has answered any questions you had about mixing coolants. Has the head gasket on your car’s engine worn or blown out? Our major repairs service will fix any engine-related issues you may have. We’ll ensure you receive a high-quality service and experience when you visit your local Setyres branch. You can contact our friendly team today, and we’ll answer all your vehicle-related questions.