Automotives have various essential fluids, the coolant being one of them. As you race your car or truck, there is time that it can get too hot; under such temperatures, there will be a need to have it cooled for optimum performance. Therefore coolants play essential roles in ensuring that the car’s engine cooling system operates well.
Coolants will reduce wear and tear to your car engine parts and corrosion, therefore, maintaining the engine block. There are different types of coolants in the market that can be distinguished by their colors. There exist blue, yellow, red, and orange coolants. However, not all coolants can be compatible with your car.
The coolant mixture will vary with the kind of car to use and depending on where and when the vehicle was made. This makes it necessary to understand the best coolant to use for your car.
When shopping for your coolant, ensure you check with your manual to see what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle model.
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Green coolant properties
This is a regular form of coolant made of an inorganic acid technology as its production basis. This AIT technique uses propylene or ethylene glycol as its chemical base. Moreover, this coolant mixture contains additives like phosphates and silicates.
However, this coolant needs more frequent changing when compared to other coolants. For instance, you will need to change it after every two years.
Of all the coolants, this coolant is an across-the-board coolant because it can be used on any vehicle. Moreover, green coolants are affordable. It is made with unique tweaks making it prevent metal corrosion in the car’s cooling system.
This coolant is meant for older cars manufactured before 2000 because those older cars were built with more copper and steel components than modern cars. Therefore, it is recommended to change this coolant on modern cars after 36000 miles or 3 years of use.
Red coolant properties
A red coolant is a type of coolant commercially known as Dexcool and often lasts longer than the other types of antifreeze. The oil is produced using hybrid organic technology, which combines both organic and inorganic acid technology. Of all the coolants, this antifreeze is more stable as it is made of modern technology.
Moreover, it improves the water pump life of the car using it. Due to its modernity, it is best for use in modern and newer cars. The replacement interval for this coolant is about thirty miles or two to three years of usage.
Differences between red and green coolant
- Green coolants are the most common and conventional coolant types with an Ethylene Glycol base. In contrast, the red coolant has Organic Acid Technology as its base comprising the various green coolant’s chemical makeup.
- The longevity of the coolants is another vital difference between the two. Red coolants often last longer than green ones.
- Green coolants are ideal for older car models, while the red ones are best for modern cars.
- The red coolant is more stable than the green coolant
- The red coolant is produced by the hybrid technology, while the green antifreeze is made from the IAT technology
- Red coolants use organic inhibitor additives like carbolic acid, while green coolants use inorganic additives like borate, silicate, and phosphate.
- Red coolants need to be replaced after five years, while green ones need replacements after three years.
- The red antifreeze is more expensive than the green one.
What happens if you put the wrong coolant in your car?
It is essential to use the correct coolant in your car. If you compare the coolant of old and modern vehicles, there is a slight difference although all are directed to a similar purpose.
For old cars, coolant systems were similar as they were made of rubber, cast iron, and brass materials, and therefore using them in any car model wasn’t an issue.
But today’s coolant systems differ in terms of the material used to manufacture them. For instance, most of them are manufactured from aluminum, steel, magnesium, silicon, nylon, and copper alloys.
Therefore, the coolants you need for your car can differ in the region the vehicle was manufactured, by engine, model, make, and year. This means before the car owner plans to buy the appropriate coolant system, it’s good to consider the varying factors.
Once you use the wrong coolant, your car’s performance will be negatively affected. Using a mixture of different types of coolant together is also like applying the wrong coolant in your car, and it can lead to or cause increased corrosion in the water pump, radiator hoses, radiator, and cylinder gasket.
This brings to attention that the coolant to be applied should be specified by your manual operation kit or a professional mechanic.
What vehicles can use green coolant?
When you hear about the green coolant, it probably tells you it was designed through Inorganic Additive Technology, which is an old formula.
Unique tweaks have been applied to make the green coolant aiming to make it a preventive ideal of metal corrosion inside the car’s cooling systems.
Since it is made of older formula, green coolant is best recommended in vehicles manufactured before 2000. These vehicles contain a large percentage of metal components used to manufacture them, such as copper and steel materials. However, it is recommended to change the antifreeze after 3 years or at every 36000 miles.
What cars can use red coolant?
A red coolant or antifreeze lasts longer than the rest of the other coolants. This feature is enhanced by Hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT), featuring a mixture of OAT and IAT.
Red coolant is considered the most stable coolant that improves the life of a car’s water pump. Therefore, it is recommended to use red coolant in cars that have aluminum radiators. Most cars that use red coolant include Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Nissan vehicles.
Conclusion
As a car owner, you need to take matters with coolants seriously as they can extend or shorten your car’s engine life.
All you need is an engine that will not harm your engine and ensure more prolonged usage by protecting it against corrosion and rust, besides managing heat properly.
To choose the right coolant for your car, ensure you check with your car’s manuals or consult a mechanic.
