Does the color of the coolant matter?

Coolant is one of the most important working fluids in a car. You can find liquids of different colors in stores, but it turns out that this is not something you should consider when choosing them. What is the function of the coolant, can it be replaced with water and how to choose the right one for your car? You will learn about everything from our article!

What will you learn from this post?

• Why is coolant so important to the proper functioning of the car?
• What if we don't know what fluid is currently in the car's cooling system?
• What types of coolants are available in stores?

Shortly speaking

In stores, you can find three types of coolants: IAT, OAT and HOAT, which differ in the production technology and the anti-corrosion additives used. The colorant used does not affect the properties of the liquid, so you can mix different colors from different manufacturers, provided that they were produced using the same technology.

What is the refrigerant used for?

The cooling system dissipates heat, which is a side effect of a car's engine. In addition, the liquid filling it must withstand high outdoor temperatures in summer and not freeze in winter, even in severe frosts. In addition to the heat dissipation itself, coolant protects the components of the entire system from damage... It must be safe for a variety of materials such as rubber, aluminum or brass, therefore, except in emergencies, it should not be replaced with water that may boil or freeze.

Types of coolants

The list of coolant components is small: water, ethylene glycol and corrosion inhibitors.... There are also propylene glycol based fluids, which are less toxic but much more expensive. Each of the liquids contains one of the glycols, but depending on the production technology and additives used, they are divided into three types:

• IAT (inorganic additive technology) is the oldest type of coolant with many disadvantages. The corrosion inhibitors added to it quickly lose their properties, and the silicates, which are its main component, create deposits that restrict the flow and, when disconnected, clog the radiator channels. IAT fluids lose their properties after about 2 years and they cannot be used in aluminum coolers.
• OAT (Organic Acid Technology) – this type of liquid does not contain silicates, but organic acids that create a thin protective layer on the surface of the radiator elements. Compared to IAT, they dissipate heat better, have a longer service life (5 years) and can be used in aluminum coolers. On the other hand, they should not be used in older vehicles as they can destroy lead solder and some types of seals.
• HOAT (hybrid organic acid technology) are hybrid fluids containing both silicates and organic acids. The products obtained using this technology form a protective layer on the radiator elements, are compatible with various materials, and their service life, as in the case of OAT, is 5 years.

Coolant colors

There are many different colors of coolants available in stores, but this is not something you should consider when purchasing them. Colorants began to be added to differentiate agents from different manufacturers, and today they are used to help identify the source of a spill. There are no contraindications to mixing liquids of different colors, the main thing is that they are made using the same technology. – Otherwise, the protective properties may be impaired. The type of fluid used can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual, but when it is not possible to determine what is in the radiator, the safest thing is to get the universal fluid.... It can be mixed with any liquid.

Recommended radiator coolants:

What else is worth knowing?

Radiator fluid is sold ready-made or as a concentrate.... In the second case, it should be mixed with water (preferably distilled), since in its pure form it will not perform its functions properly. It is also worth remembering that each liquid loses its properties over time, so they are recommended. regular replacement in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions and the information on the cylinder... Most often they are recommended every 5 years or after traveling 200-250 thousand kilometers. km, but it is safer to do it a little more often, for example, every 3 years... When buying a new measure, it is worth checking to see if complies with PN-C 40007: 2000 standard, which confirms its quality and properties.

Looking for a proven coolant for your car? Be sure to visit avtotachki.com.

Photo: avtotachki.com,