How to choose the right coolant for your car. Besides fuels such as engine oil and gasoline, coolant is an essential fluid for every vehicle. How to choose the right coolant for a car is a question many drivers must ask themselves because there are many types of coolant on the market today. Don’t worry, take note of the 6 tips below to choose the best car coolant:
Basic types of car coolant you should know
Normally, car engines are placed in sealed compartments and generate a large amount of heat during operation. This challenged engineers to invent new ways to cool the engine, and car coolant was developed with the main function of maintaining an optimal engine temperature.
Coolant is a compound made of distilled water, ethylene glycol, and several substances that have anti-evaporation, anti-corrosion, reduced electrolysis effects… and especially antifreeze. Antifreeze helps lower the freezing point and increase the boiling point so that the coolant can perform well under difficult conditions.
Coolant plays an important role in the cooling system, so choosing a coolant suitable for your car is also a crucial task. However, as mentioned above, because there are many types of coolant, many customers feel confused when purchasing this fluid. Generally, coolant is divided into 3 types with different scale, antifreeze, and boiling temperature indices, including:
- IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology)
- OAT (Organic Acid Technology)
- HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology).
Alternatively, they are also distinguished by their colors: green, red, blue, and pink or yellow.
- Orange, red, and blue coolants often use OAT technology. This type of coolant contains neither Silicate nor Phosphate but still has corrosion inhibitors but is organic. This type is considered environmentally friendly and is the most commonly used today.
- Green coolant often uses IAT technology. This coolant often contains silicates and phosphated corrosion inhibitors…
Besides color, coolant is also classified as Long Life Cooler (LLC) and Super Long Life Cooler (SLLC). The difference between LLC and SLLC mainly lies in the proportion of ethylene glycol ingredients, and LLC has added diethylene glycol, unlike SLLC. LLC coolant is typically green and red, while SLLC is blue and pink.
How to choose the right coolant for a car?
It would be very convenient if all car manufacturers used the same coolant, but that’s not the case. When you change the coolant, what coolant do I need for my car?
Coolant Color
Different coolant colors will have different functions and characteristics. For example, blue SLLC coolant has the longest usage duration, followed by pink SLLC. The LLC type has a shorter lifespan. LLC is often recommended for use on older cars, while SLLC is used on new cars.
Normally, dark blue or green coolant will be used directly without having to add pure water. This fluid often applies Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) to create the two colors above. This is an older technology that needs to be replaced every 2 years or every 60,000 miles.
Red coolant is usually mixed with pure water in a 50:50 ratio before it can be used. Red coolant uses Organic Acid Technology (OAT), which has better durability than IAT.
The Owner’s Manual
This is the best resource you can refer to. Each car manufacturer also has its regulations regarding coolant change. Furthermore, car manufacturers also recommend suitable types of coolant in the manual. For the convenience of car owners, many manufacturers indicate in the vehicle’s owner’s manual whether LLC or SLLC coolant should be used. Make sure to consult the guide before buying coolant for your car; it will specify the exact coolant formulation and sometimes even the brand.
Car Age
There is a general guideline for coolant usage based on your car’s manufacturing year:
- Before 1998: These vehicles typically use Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) coolant, often green, which usually contains a 50/50 mixture for protection down to about -35°C (-31°F).
- After 1998: These cars often need Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolant, which does not contain silicate for better corrosion protection. It can be of different colors.
Furthermore, if you are unsure after consulting the owner’s manual, let’s consult a trusted mechanic. They can advise you on the appropriate coolant for your car based on its make, model, and year.
What are the best car coolants you can buy?
Nowadays, on the market, there are many types of coolant from many different brands, some of which are highly rated and commonly used, including:
1. Prestone
This is a type of car coolant from an American brand, recommended by car manufacturers such as GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Prestone coolant can resist boiling up to 129°C and freezing down to -36°C. In particular, Prestone car coolant can be used continuously for 5 years or 150,000 miles (approximately 241,401 km).
Most Prestone coolants can be used directly without adding water, which brings comfort to users. Furthermore, the products meet the strict standards of most major global automobiles such as Toyota, Ford, BMW,…
2. Valvoline Zerex G05
Valvoline has a long history, founded in 1866, and its products are available in 140 different countries. Zerex Red coolant is one of the company’s top 10 high-end cooling product lines. Zerex G05 is fully formulated from a silicate-free HOAT formula that protects the cooling system from rust and corrosion. It combines the most advanced phosphated organic acid additive technology in an ethylene glycol base to completely protect modern cooling systems and engine components. Zerex coolant has a lifespan of 5 years or 150,000 miles. Zerex G05 has been proven to enhance the engine life of the latest Ford, Chrysler, and Mercedes-Benz cars, light trucks, and heavy vehicles.
3. Liqui Moly
The Liqui Moly brand was developed in 1957 and has produced over 4,000 additive, lubricant, and car maintenance and care solution products.
Liqui Moly offers many different ranges of engine coolant, most of which use OAT technology. Liqui Moly coolant is also an advanced product that effectively helps cool and prevent corrosion and rust. Furthermore, this coolant is also free of nitrites, amines, phosphates, and silicates and is formulated to be ready-to-use without needing additional water.
Notes when changing car coolant
- Do not use water, mineral water, tap water, bottled water… to mix with car coolant. The above types of water have higher hardness, not to mention higher sedimentation in the water, easily causing rust and seriously affecting the structure of the cooling system.
- Do not add additional antifreeze other than those recommended by the manufacturer. You replace the car coolant only according to the car manufacturer’s requirements, and you should also consider other types of car coolant before applying it.
- If you add or change coolant, use the same color as the one in the vehicle’s reservoir. Never mix coolants of different colors. Mixing coolants of different colors can damage the radiator and the cooling system.