Antifreeze: Drive Safe Knowing More About What's Going in Your Car
|
What is Antifreeze and what does it do?
Antifreeze is a cooling system additive that has two main functions. The first is well known which is the reduce the freezing point of the coolant in your cars cooling system so that it can work effectively during those cold winter months. The other function is to do the opposite which is to prevent the cooling system from overheating when the temperature rises or the engine is working hard. This helps protect the radiator and other cooling components from corrosion or harmful damage when the temperature rises.
Common types of antifreeze
-Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT)
One of the oldest and most commonly used antifreezes. Most manufactures stopped using it in the 90s as if it isn't replaced every two years it can cause damaged too cooling systems. Traditionally this is a blue colour
-Organic Acid Technology (OAT)
Usually red, and used in most vehicle since 1994. It shouldn't be mixed with other types of antifreeze
-Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)
HOAT uses both inorganic and organic acid technology and provides better protection for aluminum parts against rust and corrosion. Usually pink and used in newer cars
These are just to name a few types of antifreeze and even the same type can vary in colour depending on the chemical make-up and the brand. If you are ever unsure of which type your car uses, always check you manual or ask a professional
Ready mixed or concentrated?
Which should you use? If you buy concentrated and mix it yourself, you can definitely save some money, but be careful not to dilute it too much as the antifreeze won't be as effective. Ready mixed antifreeze, which now becomes coolant, will cost more overall, but will save you time and hassle
How to check coolant levels in a car?
When the engine is turned off and cooled, locate the expansion tank, which you should be able to find in your vehicle handbook if you are unsure. Make sure the coolant is between the min and max levels, indicated on the side of the tank. If low, check the hoses for leaks. Wet patches or white stains can give this away. If there are no leaks and you have checked to make sure you have the correct coolant for you car you can unscrew the cap and fill to the max level.
Antifreeze: Drive Safe Knowing More About What's Going in Your Car
What is Antifreeze and What Does it Do?
Antifreeze is mixed with water to create coolant, which functions mainly to prevent your car’s coolant from freezing. It also contains properties which help protect your vehicle’s radiator and other cooling components from corrosion and harmful damage from when temperatures rise, making it vital to keep your car running smoothly.
Is Antifreeze the Same as Coolant?
Not exactly. Antifreeze must be mixed with water, usually a 50/50 ratio, to create engine coolant, which is what will be added into your expansion tank.
|
|
Common Types of Antifreeze
There are many different antifreeze types so it’s important to make sure that you use the correct one for your vehicle. Make sure that you check this in your vehicle’s manual, or ask one of our team.
IAT – Inorganic Additive Technology
IAT antifreeze is the green traditional stuff used in many older vehicles, but only has a limited life of about 36,000 miles before it starts to break down and cause corrosion in your cooling system.
OAT – Organic Acid Technology
OAT is a much safer antifreeze with a longer life span of about 150,000 miles, or about 5-7 years
FAQs
Ready Mixed or Concentrate?
A pre-mixed coolant can save time and hassle, but generally an antifreeze concentrate will be better value for your money. Usually, you will want to mix this at a 50/50 ratio, but always check this with your vehicle’s handbook.
How Do You Check Your Car's Coolant Level?
When the engine is turned off and cooled, locate the expansion tank, which you should be able to find in your vehicle handbook if you are unsure. Make sure the coolant is between the min and max levels, indicated on the side of the tank. If low, check the hoses for leaks. Wet patches or white stains can give this away. If there are no leaks and you have checked to make sure you have the correct coolant for your car you can unscrew the cap and fill between the indicated levels.
How Often Do I Need to Change My Coolant?
A very rough estimate would be able every two years, or 30,000 miles. Keep an eye on the condition of your hoses, check for any leaks and check the level of your coolant to make sure that it doesn’t need to be topped up early.
Testing your Antifreeze
You can find out how effective your antifreeze is with a tester. Simply dip the tube into your coolant reservoir and squeeze the rubber ball to suck some of the coolant into the tester and it will give you the freezing point of the coolant.
You can find a cheap antifreeze tester on our website.
|
Antifreeze: Drive Safe Knowing More About What's Going in Your Car
What is Antifreeze and What Does it Do?
Antifreeze is mixed with water to create coolant, which functions mainly to prevent your car’s coolant from freezing. It also contains properties which help protect your vehicle’s radiator and other cooling components from corrosion and harmful damage from when temperatures rise, making it vital to keep your car running smoothly.
Is Antifreeze the Same as Coolant?
Not exactly. Antifreeze must be mixed with water, usually a 50/50 ratio, to create engine coolant, which is what will be added into your expansion tank.
|
|
|
|
Common Types of Antifreeze
There are many different antifreeze types so it’s important to make sure that you use the correct one for your vehicle. Make sure that you check this in your vehicle’s manual, or ask one of our team.
IAT – Inorganic Additive Technology
IAT antifreeze is the green traditional stuff used in many older vehicles, but only has a limited life of about 36,000 miles before it starts to break down and cause corrosion in your cooling system.
OAT – Organic Acid Technology
OAT is a much safer antifreeze with a longer life span of about 150,000 miles, or about 5-7 years
FAQs
Ready Mixed or Concentrate?
A pre-mixed coolant can save time and hassle, but generally an antifreeze concentrate will be better value for your money. Usually, you will want to mix this at a 50/50 ratio, but always check this with your vehicle’s handbook.
How Do You Check Your Car's Coolant Level?
When the engine is turned off and cooled, locate the expansion tank, which you should be able to find in your vehicle handbook if you are unsure. Make sure the coolant is between the min and max levels, indicated on the side of the tank. If low, check the hoses for leaks. Wet patches or white stains can give this away. If there are no leaks and you have checked to make sure you have the correct coolant for your car you can unscrew the cap and fill between the indicated levels.
How Often Do I Need to Change My Coolant?
A very rough estimate would be able every two years, or 30,000 miles. Keep an eye on the condition of your hoses, check for any leaks and check the level of your coolant to make sure that it doesn’t need to be topped up early.
Testing your Antifreeze
You can find out how effective your antifreeze is with a tester. Simply dip the tube into your coolant reservoir and squeeze the rubber ball to suck some of the coolant into the tester and it will give you the freezing point of the coolant.
You can find a cheap antifreeze tester on our website.
|
|
