What are the three types of coolant?

Today, automotive service providers use three basic types of engine coolant:

• • IAT – Inorganic Additive Technology.
• • OAT – Organic Acid Technology.
• • HOAT – Hybrid Organic Acid Technology.
• • Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Cooling Systems.

Are all radiator coolants the same?

Different Coolant Types Different vehicles require different coolants. There are varieties for every type of vehicle, from diesel engines to American, Asian and European vehicles. Each one is specifically formulated to keep its designated engine type running in extreme temperatures.

Does it matter what type of coolant you put in your car?

Well, you use the coolant that is specified in your owner’s manual. If you just need to top it up, the recommendation is still the same, however it is unlikely to cause any serious problems if you add a litre of a different type of coolant, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

What radiator coolant do I need?

For most vehicles, a glycol based antifreeze coolant is the best type of coolant to be used in any vehicle radiator. However, using the glycol based antifreeze alone is usually not a good idea. In most cases, you will need to mix the glycol based antifreeze with a certain amount of water.

Why are coolants different colors?

If antifreeze is green, that probably means it was made from an older formula that uses something called Inorganic Additive Technology. Green antifreeze is made with special tweaks to the formula specifically to help prevent the corrosion of metals in a vehicle’s cooling system.

Does it matter what color coolant I use?

The truth is, color is not a reliable predictor for what type of coolant you have.

Can I mix yellow and green coolant?

You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever. But if you mix a significant amount of one type in with the other type, you’re weakening your corrosion inhibitors (it happened to my brother, and look at the condition he’s in now).

What if I put the wrong coolant in my car?

Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket. This can lead to damage to the engine in the worst case.

Is it OK to use universal coolant?

The term “Universal Coolant” seems like a contradiction because of all the different antifreeze requirements we just described. Even so, universal coolants are formulated to mix with virtually any coolant. The makers of these product say their antifreeze can be safely used in any year, make or model of vehicle.

Can I use green coolant instead of orange?

Can You Mix Orange and Green Antifreeze? It’s never a good idea to mix two different colors or types of antifreeze. Mixing two formulas won’t cause any dangerous reactions or explosions, but it could turn your coolant into a sludgy chemical mixture that won’t be able to flow properly through your cooling system.

What happens if you put wrong coolant in car?

Using the wrong coolant can lead to corrosion and other damages to the radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, cylinder gasket, and more. The best way to ensure you get the correct coolant is to have your vehicle maintenance performed by a professional auto technician.