“Coolant' esta disponible en todas las tiendas digitales!Music: htt. Antifreeze, or coolant, helps to keep your engine at the proper temperature and prevent corrosion. Antifreeze has a higher boiling point and lower freeze point than water. This keeps the engine from overheating and prevents fluid inside the engine from freezing in the cold.
Are antifreeze and coolant the same thing?
What kind do I need for my engine?
Why is the coolant green?
If any of these questions have crossed your mind, you’re not alone. The mechanics of your engine are complicated and little things, like antifreeze, make a huge difference in how the vehicle runs.
This guide breaks down antifreeze types (and their colors) so you know what kind to put in your baby.
Antifreeze vs Coolant
Antifreeze is coolant. Coolant is antifreeze. Don’t let the names trick you up.
Engine coolant is a mix of ethylene glycol and water. Nearly all engines use a 1:1 ratio of coolant: water.
One thing to bear in mind with modern coolant: The jugs you buy at the store are pre-diluted. In the past, coolant was sold as a pure substance that you would have to dilute with water at home before you put it in your car.
Pre-diluted coolant is more convenient.
Coolant Reservoir Tank
Why Coolant Is Important
The coolant keeps your radiator from freezing in the winter and overheating in the summer. It protects the engine and cooling system from corrosion.
Different types of engines require different coolant types. Picking the right one will make your engine run cleaner and more efficiently. The wrong one will be a huge headache later.
Flushing and sealing your coolant system keeps everything running right.
Common Antifreeze Types by Color
Water and antifreeze are both colorless.
Manufacturers started adding colored dye to the mixture in order to differentiate between the coolant and other engine fluids. If your car was leaking a blue fluid, it meant one thing. If it was leaking a pink fluid, it meant another.
As time went on, and more types of antifreeze were released to the market, manufacturers started added specific colored dyes to specific types of antifreeze so consumers could tell the types and brands apart.
This guide breaks down the most common types of antifreeze by their commonly associated colors. Not all types of antifreeze are covered.
Green
If you have a green coolant, you have Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) coolant. This type of coolant is the original type of coolant on the market. This means that if you drive an older model car, it likely still uses green antifreeze.
This type of coolant is sometimes referred to as conventional low-silicate coolant. This is because it uses silicates as corrosion inhibitors.
Historically, a green-dyed coolant was designed for cars and small trucks. You would have to dilute the coolant with water and “pre-charge” it with supplemental coolant additives. These additives were designed to protect engine cylinders from corrosion.
Now, the coolant comes diluted and pre-mixed with all the additives already in it. As long as you change the antifreeze every 24k miles or so, you should be fine. If you choose to push the life of the coolant beyond that, you will want to mix in those additives as specified by the engine manufacturer.
Orange
An orange coolant typically indicates that you are looking at Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolant. This type of coolant uses organic acids as an inhibitor.
This is the type of coolant usually required for GM, Saab, and VW vehicles.
OAT coolants do not have nitrites added. Contamination with nitrite – such as if you were to add the wrong type of coolant to the system – can drastically reduce the performance life of the OAT coolant.
Orange-dyed coolants typically protect an engine for 600k miles, as long as they remain pure and uncontaminated.
Yellow
A Hybrid OAT (HOAT) coolant is also an option. It is typically dyed yellow.
This type of coolant mixes technology from the first two to create a low-silicate, nitrite technology. It contains both silicates and organic acids as inhibitors.
Ford, Chrysler and some other European companies recommend this type of coolant for their cars.
HOAT coolants, like the IAT coolants, require additives mixed back into the coolant system every 25k miles, or as specified by the engine manufacturer.
HOAT coolants formulations are not compatible with OAT coolants because they do contain nitrites. They should not be mixed together.
Red
If you have red coolant in your cooling system, you have Extended Life C
It can be used in any engine requiring a OAT engine coolant.
Red coolant offers 150k miles of protection. Like other OAT coolants, don’t mix it with nitrate or silicate-based antifreeze.
Coolant Pc
Color Can Lie: Always Read the Label
No one is regulating the color of your coolant. This means that, while it was a good indicator of the type historically, color is not a reliable predictor of what kind of coolant you have kicking around in your garage now.
For example, OAT coolants are usually orange but, depending on who manufactured it, the coolant can look more yellow or red. Some manufacturers have opted for entirely different color schemes for their coolants. Honda has decided to make all of its coolants, regardless of technology, blue.
You need to carefully read what the bottle says. It’s not safe to rely on the color. Always double check your owner’s manual to determine the type of coolant your system needs.
Other Antifreeze Types By Continent of Origin
Other than color, which is not the best indicator, there is also the country of origin of the car. The country that makes the car is a much more consistent indicator of what type of coolant your car will need.
Here are a couple other coolant choices (again, the list is not all-encompassing):
Europe
Europa is generally plagued by a hard water problem. This means that in order to meet European regulations, the coolant would need to be phosphate-free.
Calcium and magnesium, which are common in hard water, react with phosphate inhibitors to form calcium or magnesium phosphate. These chemical reactions can cause scale formations on engine surfaces.
Europe uses a form of HOAT coolant that is phosphate-free. European HOAT contains a mix of silicates and carboxylates.
This form of HOAT is recommended for BMW, Volvo, Tesla, Mini, other vehicles. This European coolant disregards a color designation. Instead, Europe requires each manufacturer to create one specific color of coolant.
Asia
Asia has the opposite need of Europe. In Asia, a phosphated HOAT (P-HOAT) is required.
Problems with poor heat transfers have led to a ban on silicates as corrosion inhibitors in coolants. To protect engines, Asian manufacturers have adopted a mix of carboxylates and phosphates as corrosion inhibitors.
P-HOAT is used in most Asian vehicles, including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, KIA & others. Typically these coolants are pink or blue.
Your Coolant System Requires Upkeep
Whatever antifreeze types you use, it will degrade over time as the ethylene glycol breaks down. The breakdown of the coolant occurs more quickly in engines that operate at high temperatures.
Once a coolant has degraded, the metal of your engine is at risk for corrosion.
If you have an old jug of coolant sitting around the garage and you aren’t sure if it’s good anymore, use a refractometer to measure the glycol: water ratio. This ratio will tell you the level of freeze protection and the concentration of corrosion inhibitors.
When in doubt, buy new coolant. Using a high-quality coolant and performing basic maintenance will protect your engine for the long haul.
Check us out here to learn more about Irontite products and see how they can protect your engine alongside regular maintenance.
Although you might know that coolant is important to your car, you might not know why, what coolant to use, or what coolant even is. Similar to oil, the coolant serves a basic, but imperative, function within the internal workings of your vehicle. Depending on the type of your car, you might need a coolant with specialized additives, a coolant for specific manufacturers, or coolant designed for cars with high-mileage. Regardless of what type of coolant you use, we will discuss what is coolant, why it is important, and how to fix low coolant.
What is coolant and what does it do for my engine?
The main function of coolant is to transfer heat and prevent engine damage due to freezing or boiling. Coolant is instrumental in keeping the engine lubricated and the parts working. The only way for heat to be efficiently transferred is with a liquid in the system. This means it is very important to keep your coolant at the right temperature to prevent it from freezing or evaporating in hot temperatures.
Also, if coolant boils, then the vapors formed don’t transfer heat at the optimal level, meaning the engine metal can melt. If the coolant touches certain places in the engine that it isn’t supposed to, then the engine will melt due to the hot coolant. Some more modern cars are made with small engine compartments that don’t have the best airflow, meaning they can overheat within a very short time frame without a proper cooling system.
In addition, coolant provides the purpose of protecting metals and non-metallic elastomers, or special polymers that are elastic, within the engine and cooling circuit. The main function of the coolant preventing the engine from freezing and boiling, and keeping the oil from forming a solid or gas, is crucial to the functioning of your vehicle.
What Can Happen If I Use The Wrong Type Of Coolant?
If you don’t use the correct type of coolant within your system, you can experience corrosion and component damage. This damage can lead to long-term effects that will be serious to the overall lifespan of your vehicle. Sometimes, you might not even notice these effects until a year or so after the damage, causing the problem to get even worse without you noticing.
Oftentimes, this coolant damage is misidentified by the owners as a radiator failure. If the radiator is faulty or corroded, this usually means that a coolant system improperly functioning is the main culprit.
What Is The Low Coolant Light For?
When you start your engine, the low coolant level light should come on for only a second or two and then turn off. If the light doesn’t go off, the coolant level might be too low, or the sensor system is experiencing a problem detecting the correct amount of coolant in the system.
The light displays a symbol of either a thermometer or box, often with uneven lines to indicate a liquid. It may also say “low coolant” depending on the vehicle. If the light comes on, this means that there is a serious issue with your car that you need to get looked at. The consequences of low coolant can seriously hurt your engine and overheat your car.
Why Does The Low Coolant Level Warning Light Come On?
If the coolant light comes on in your vehicle, the safest bet is for you to stop driving. Pull your car over the side of the road and turn off your engine to prevent the coolant from hurting your engine any further or overheating. You need to somehow get your vehicle to the repair shop and your mechanic so they can resolve any issues with your vehicle. There are a few key reasons as to why the low coolant light can appear in your car.
Your Coolant Level Is Low
If your coolant level in your reservoir is low, you should ask your mechanic to check for a leak. However, if they find this isn’t the case, the solution may be just to add more coolant.
Fix: This is quite an easy solution to this problem. All you have to do is top up your coolant to the “full” level when the engine hasn’t been running, or is cold. Use both antifreeze and water to create a 50-50 mix, and refill the coolant to the necessary level. Be sure to check your coolant level frequently for the next week to ensure that a leak isn’t the real issue with your low coolant level.
Your Coolant Reservoir Is Leaking
If you noticed that your coolant level is low and the topping-up doesn’t fix the issue, then a leak is your main concern. Check the sides and bottom of your reservoir for any holes or damaged parts where the coolant is leaking from.
Fix: A mechanic will have to replace the coolant reservoir. On average, it costs about $130 to replace the coolant reservoir. It is about $80 for labor and $60 for parts, but the price will vary depending on your make and model of car and the mechanic fees.
Your Radiator Cap Is Faulty
The radiator cap is a key part of your coolant system, keeping the liquid inside the system and at the right pressure. A broken or damaged cap can allow coolant to escape, which can trigger the low coolant warning light on your dashboard.
There are key signs that your radiator cap is damaged. The main reason is that your coolant is leaking, as we have discussed. If the cap is stuck, fluid can’t get released. This causes pressure to build inside of the radiator, forcing the hose to break open and leak.
Another sign that your radiator cap is damaged is an overflowing reservoir. The radiator cap is released by the pressure, sending the coolant towards the overflow tank. If the radiator cap is damaged, the coolant will be released too early, and cause the reservoir to overflow. A faulty radiator cap can cause the overflowing reservoir, turning on the low coolant light.
Fix: if you think you can confidently work on your car for repairs, then you can replace the bad cap with a new one. If you’re not too confident, a mechanic will be able to do it. If you do this yourself, make sure the engine is completely cool and get the correct replacement cap. A replacement radiator cap is inexpensive, and usually between $7-$20 depending on the specific type you need.
Your Radiator Hoses Are Damaged Or Won-Out Over Time
The radiator hoses in your vehicle are constantly exposed to hot coolant when your engine is running. These hoses will break-down over time due to the elements they are exposed to. They might even crack or burst, causing coolant to escape and prompt the low coolant level warning light to come on your dashboard. If your radiator hoses are damaged, the low coolant level light in your car will turn on.
Fix: First, you need to park your vehicle over a dry and even surface. Let your car run until it is warm, and then let it sit overnight Check for any coolant leaks in the morning, seeing if there is any liquid or oil on the ground. Feel the sides of your radiator hoses for any damage or leaks. If tightening the shoe clamps solves the problem, then you don’t have to replace any parts.
If tightening the clamps doesn’t fix anything, you need to replace the worn radiator hoses. Replacing a radiator hose is a relatively quick fix that costs just $35-$65 for the entire repair.
You Have A Serious Cooling System Leak
If the radiator cap and the radiator hoses are not damaged, then there might be a faulty radiator, water pump, or thermostat housing. Damage to any of these parts will cause your low coolant light to come on.
The radiator is in charge of passing your coolant through metal fins, wallowing the heat to flow to the air outside of your car, preventing overheating. Without his running properly, your car will overheat and your engine won’t run. Replacing a radiator runs at an average of $292-$1193 for both the parts and labor involved. The average cost of just the radiator replacement will be between $300-$1200. The cost varies depending on the labor involved and the model of your car.
The water pump is a mechanism that ensures the coolant moves through the engine block hoses, and radiator. The pump in charge of the system is working at the correct temperature. An average water pump replacement costs $300- $750, depending on your car’s make, model, and labor costs. The water pump may only be less than $100, but the labor can be quite expensive depending on how hard it is to reach the pump.
Fix: If you suspect that one of these two mechanisms might be the real issue with your car, then you need to get your car to a mechanic as soon as possible. If you don’t feel safe driving, have your car towed to the nearest shop. These repairs typically require the mechanic draining the coolant, and replacing the defective component, being either the water hose or the radiator. The mechanic will then refill the coolant to fix the low coolant level.
You Have A Damaged Head Gasket
Coolant For Bmw
Your low coolant level light might come on if your head gasket isn’t working correctly. Your head gasket is in charge of providing a seal between engine block and cylinder. In addition, it lets the flow of both oil and coolant pass smoothly. If the head gasket has failed, it can cause the coolant to be burned in your combustion chambers – this is dangerous, because you might not see any leaks happening.
The burning of the coolant within the combustion chambers can cause the low coolant warning light to come on. This situation can also damage your emission system, since the burnt coolant will hurt the catalytic converter.
Fix: This problem is quite detrimental to older and high-mileage vehicles. This requires an expensive repair. If you don't think that your car is worth this repair, you might consider selling your vehicle, either with or without a functioning engine. An older car with lots of miles might not be worth fixing due to the high repair costs.
You Have A Faulty Intake Manifold Gasket
The intake manifold is on the top or side of the engine providing air and fuel to the cylinders that are burnt to provide power. The intake manifold contains a gasket, where it is joined to the engine. This gasket where the connection is can fail and leak coolant in your car.
Coolant Vw
Fix: A mechanic can replace the intake manifold gasket, which is a less expensive and common repair compared to a blown head gasket.
You Have A Bad Sensor Or Warning Light
If your coolant level is actually at an appropriate level, but the warning light for low coolant is on, then a bad sensor or warning light could be the culprit. The float may have gotten stuck on the bottom of the reservoir, or the sensor could be clogged.
Peak Antifreeze Coolant Application Chart
Fix: A mechanic should check and repair the issue with the warning light system. This usually requires draining some coolant, so you should definitely take your vehicle toa repair shop to have it done properly.
What If My Car’s Repair Is Too Expensive?
If your car has an expensive repair in the near future, you might consider not repairing the cause of the low coolant within your vehicle. If your car is old or has high-mileage on it, then an expensive repair might not be worth it in the long run.
Consider selling your car to a reputable source that can provide a trustworthy and fair quote for your junk car, either with or without the defective part. Bring your vehicle to CashCarsBuyer to enjoy a reliable and trustworthy business that will provide you quick cash for your broken car.