A clear antifreeze sounds like it would be ideal – you could see if your cooling system was leaking without needing to take the radiator cap off, and if you accidentally spilled some on the garage floor, it wouldn’t leave a brown stain behind as traditional coolant would.
So why don’t more coolants today come in this clear form? The answer lies in both history and chemistry.
Contents
What is A Clear Antifreeze?
A clear coolant is a coolant that is typically made of water and propylene glycol. It can also include other additives to help protect against corrosion and freezing.
Transparent coolants have the advantage of being able to see the level of fluid in the radiator, which can help spot leaks. However, they can also be more expensive than traditional green or yellow coolants.
Properties of a Clear Antifreeze
First of all, the good coolant should have the following properties;
- Protection against deposits
- Safe and efficient to use with hard waters
- Minimized foaming tendency
- Awesome heat transfer
- High-temperature protection
- Must not damage the internal components
- Must be neutral with the internal components
What Makes a Clear Antifreeze
Monoethylene glycol is the main ingredient in transparent coolants. It employs Organic Acid Inhibitor Technology (OAT) to resist corrosion, be non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, and reduce toxicity.
It’s also free from nitrites, phosphates, silicates, amines, and borates, which can harm engine components.
Advantages of a Clear Antifreeze
A clear antifreeze has several advantages over traditional green or yellow coolants.
- It is easier to see if there is a leak in the system
- It does not discolor plastic or painted surfaces
- It is less likely to stain clothing
- It does not leave behind a residue when it evaporates
- It is less corrosive than other coolants and thus helps to extend the life of your car’s engine.
Disadvantages of a Clear Antifreeze
While a clear antifreeze may have some benefits, there are also potential disadvantages to using this coolant in your car. One downside is that it lacks heat dissipation ability, so the engine will run hotter than it would with a traditional colorless or amber antifreeze.
Another disadvantage is that it can create smoke or mist from moisture condensation in cold weather conditions and soot from burning fuel.
Plus, it affects other properties and parts of the vehicle, such as windshield wipers and sensors. However, a clear antifreeze might be the best option for those who want an eco-friendly coolant that does not contain harmful chemicals like ethylene glycol (EG), nitrates, phosphates, or silicates.
Clear antifreeze also appears to be messy due to its viscosity and could damage the paint on the exterior of your car because it has higher surface tension. This makes cleanup difficult and time-consuming.
Can a Clear Antifreeze Be Used in a Car?
Try not to mess with your cooling system and always check your car user manual for a better understanding of what type of antifreeze you should use. Some might prefer clear antifreeze because it does not discolor pipes or leave stains behind.
Others do not like using it because they are concerned about getting a coolant leak. If you choose to use clear antifreeze, ensure that you keep an eye on your cooling system to avoid serious problems and being stranded on the side of the road during an emergency.
You should also periodically check for leaks around hoses and lines. For most drivers, using a clear antifreeze is worth the peace of mind knowing that their car’s cooling system will not turn into a murky mess with time.
Moreover, if your vehicle needs regular chemical treatment and inspections, you may want to avoid a clear antifreeze just so there won’t be any confusion when doing repairs.
Conclusion
A clear antifreeze is a coolant typically made of water and glycol. Clear coolants can easily identify leaks, but they can also be more difficult to find if you are looking for a specific color.
Using a clear antifreeze for your car will always come with several questions about the main negative effects this antifreeze could have on the cooling system and engine.
A clear antifreeze is typically used when someone wants an easy way to detect any leaks in their cooling system. The coolants are also helpful when you need to do maintenance on your vehicle because they allow you to quickly see where fluids might be leaking from.
Furthermore, while clear antifreeze has some benefits, this coolant can complicate troubleshooting issues.
