When is it advisable to replace and when to top up - car radiator fluid? Coolant refilling -…
How to choose the right coolant for your car? Does the color of the fluid matter?
Man in standing near car with open hood and changing antifreeze in the tire fitting
In order for the drive unit to work efficiently and have optimal conditions for this, an engine cooling system and the coolant for passenger cars circulating in it are necessary. It is responsible, among other things, for maintaining the correct engine operating temperature - this is about 100 degrees Celsius. The cooling system must be checked regularly, and the coolant for the car should be replaced regularly. How to replace and how to choose the coolant for the car? What do its colors tell us?
- Car radiators and regular check of coolant level
- Types of Coolants – How to Choose a Coolant for Your Car? We Explain the Designations
- G12 coolant
- The Perfect Radiator Fluid – How Often Should You Change Your Coolant?
- Refilling the coolant with water and the coolant concentrate
- Ready-made antifreeze versus concentrate
- Diesel and petrol coolant. Does the color of the coolant matter?
- Ready-made coolant. Can coolants be mixed together?
- How to change coolant? Proper selection of coolant and methods of operation
- Car Coolant. Summary of Information
Car radiators and regular check of coolant level
There is a special scale on the coolant reservoir. You can read the information on how much is the minimum and how much is the maximum. The recommended fluid level is set by the car manufacturer. You will learn about it by reading the vehicle's user manual. The formula of coolants for car engines is based on many chemicals. Their purpose is to reduce excessively high operating temperatures of the unit.
It should be remembered that after a few years, the efficiency of the fluid decreases. This often results in the appearance of rust in the cooling system and radiator, which in turn contributes to engine overheating. Protection of the cooling system is very important, because neglect in this matter can lead to expensive repairs.
Types of Coolants – How to Choose a Coolant for Your Car? We Explain the Designations
Coolants can be divided into 3 groups. They differ in the type and amount of additives, especially anti-corrosion ones. Selection coolants for car engines It therefore depends on what effectiveness we want to achieve.
G12 coolant
IAT fluid has the longest history, but it has disadvantages such as its composition in the form of inorganic compounds, which circulate in the system and promote the formation of deposits that clog the channels in the radiator. The composition of this coolant for aluminum radiators and other types is based mainly on silicates.
OAT (G12) coolants are rich in organic acids, which create a protective layer 20 times larger than IAT. Products of this type have increased durability.
Select coolant, we can do it in one more way. Using the HOAT hybrid coolant is the third possible solution. Coolant for aluminum and other radiators combines both of the above-described technologies and is particularly recommended for systems using this type of material.
The Perfect Radiator Fluid – How Often Should You Change Your Coolant?
Before we describe how to choose coolant for a passenger car, you will learn how often it needs to be replaced. Both the vehicle manufacturer and the coolant manufacturer can inform us about this. Each brand specifies its own replacement intervals for individual car components. The efficiency and correct operation of car engines depend on the coolant, including many other elements in the car.
In some cases, we should top up the coolant every 2 years or more often. This applies to vehicles exposed to higher loads and operating temperatures of the drive unit. In other cases, it is recommended to replace the coolant for passenger cars every 3-4 years.
Many experts recommend changing IAT fluid every 2 years. In the case of OAT fluid, this will be every 5 years.
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Refilling the coolant with water and the coolant concentrate
Choosing a coolant for a car is not always easy. Coolant for passenger cars must be appropriate and well-chosen so as not to harm the entire system. The basic step in checking its condition is topping up the fluid. There are situations when we have to top up its lack with… water.
However, we cannot permanently replace the coolant with plain water. This is only permissible in emergency situations. The coolant and the concentrate contained in it ensure a balanced composition, so that the operating temperature of the unit is appropriate. The water itself will quickly boil on summer days and we will not be able to continue driving. In turn, in winter, the water will freeze, and this will result in serious faults. This damages, among others, the water pump, the head gasket, and sometimes even the engine block.
Coolant tank
In addition, pouring plain water into the cooling system may cause scale to build up. Water can also contribute to corrosion.
If you were wondering whether water is a good substitute for coolant, there is only one answer - it is not. Coolant and concentrate can be replaced with distilled water in an emergency, which can also be used to mix the concentrate or flush the cooling system during the coolant change process.
Since water is not a good idea, let's consider how to choose the right coolant and concentrate for your car.
Ready-made antifreeze versus concentrate
Choosing a coolant for your car requires a decision whether it is to be a finished product or concentrate. In the first case, you are sure that the proportions of the individual ingredients are ideal. It is therefore characterized by the appropriate properties and a freezing point of most often up to -30 degrees Celsius.
If you decide to use the concentrate fluid itself, you must dilute it with water. The coolant will be ready after a short while. Without it, it freezes at -16 degrees Celsius. Therefore, you must mix the fluid with water in a 50/50 ratio. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Dilute in the recommended proportions, never too little or too much.
Diesel and petrol coolant. Does the color of the coolant matter?
Coolants differ not only in composition, but also in color. However, this has nothing to do with their properties. Coolant ready for use regardless of its color. Choosing a coolant for your car It is therefore not worth depending only on the color. This is the effect of supplementing the composition of the fluid with an appropriate dye. It mainly has auxiliary functions. The dye makes it easier to locate a leak in the cooling system. We can find fluids in the following colors: red, pink, purple, orange, green and blue. Blue is, among others, MA Professional car radiator fluid. It also has a red counterpart – MA Professional G12 car radiator fluid.
Ready-made coolant. Can coolants be mixed together?
Since the color of the fluid is not related to the parameters of the car's coolant, are different preparations compatible with each other? What to do if you need to add coolant? In principle, coolants can be mixed with each other, but under certain conditions. They should be made using the same technology and provide the same level of protection, e.g. up to -30 degrees Celsius.
It is also important whether the car uses a universal fluid or one that is designed for a specific type of radiator. If you do not know what preparation was used before and you need to add fluid, it is better to use a universal agent. Do not add coolant designed for copper radiators, for example, if you have an aluminum radiator. This can damage the seals and, as a result, the engine overheats. Also, remember not to add coolant concentrate to the system if necessary, if it has not been diluted.
Pouring coolant
How to change coolant? Proper selection of coolant and methods of operation
Many drivers wonder if it is possible to replace the coolant in aluminum radiators and other versions yourself. What will you need to replace the coolant?
- Get a container for the old fluid, a funnel, distilled water and radiator cleaner;
- Make sure the engine is cold. Then unscrew the cap of the expansion tank and the radiator cap. Find the drain valve (it will be located at the bottom of the radiator) and place a container under it;
- Open the valve and wait for the old coolant to drain. Remember that used coolant cannot be poured down the drain! Take the used coolant to a recycling plant;
- Before pouring in new coolant, it is worth getting rid of scale or sediment from the system. The aforementioned cleaning fluid is used for this purpose. Its method of use may vary slightly depending on the product;
- After the old fluid has drained from the cooling system, close the drain valve. Pour the cleaning agent into the expansion tank and add enough distilled water to reach the maximum fill level;
- Do not screw the reservoir cap on. Start the engine and turn on the heating. Let the unit run for a few minutes at idle speed. Then turn the engine off and wait for it to cool down. When it does, drain the cleaning fluid;
- If necessary, the flushing should be repeated. For some agents, a slightly different procedure should be used, which involves draining half of the old coolant and adding the cleaning agent to it, or flushing the system with distilled water after using the agent;
- Once the cooling system has been flushed, pour new coolant into the car in the amount recommended by the manufacturer. Now it is worth bleeding the cooling system. This is slightly different for each model. Often, the process begins with unscrewing the cap from the expansion tank;
- Once you have done this, start the engine and observe the coolant level. If the system was air-locked, bubbles should be visible in the reservoir and the coolant should be gone. Top up the coolant and press firmly on the rubber coolant hoses. This will force any remaining air into the reservoir;
- Screw the cap back on the reservoir and turn on the car's heating. If warm air is blowing from the vents, the system is properly bled;
- In some cars the procedure is easier. It involves unscrewing the vent valve. The cooling system will be bled if fluid starts leaking from under the cap. Before that, you will hear the sound of air whistling.
Car Coolant. Summary of Information
Decide whether you will use a concentrate or a ready-made product, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Did you know that you can mix coolants of different colors? This will not change their properties, but they must be of the same type.
- IAT fluid is replaced every 2 years, OAT fluid is replaced every 5 years;
- IAT fluid is based on silicates and promotes the formation of deposits that clog channels in the radiator. OAT has organic acids in its composition. Both technologies are combined by HOAT fluid;
- never replace coolant with water;
- when choosing a liquid concentrate, combine it with water in the appropriate proportions;
- the color of the fluid has no significance for its properties;
- a good fluid should meet the Polish standard PN-C-40007:2000.
FAQ
What are the markings for car engine coolants?
Manufacturers of coolants for car engines use 3 types of markings depending on the production technology used. Coolant ready for use may have the markings: IAT, OAT and HOAT.
Correct coolant refill – how to do it?
Correctly topping up both universal and other types of coolant is not difficult. To do this, the engine must be cold and the car must be on a flat surface. Open the expansion tank, add coolant to a level between the "min" and "max" marks, then screw the cap on tightly. Always use a coolant that meets the car manufacturer's recommendations.
How to choose coolant?
When choosing a coolant, first and foremost, follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, which you will find in the car's manual or service book. It is important to choose a fluid that meets the standards specified by the manufacturer.
