What kind of antifreeze do you use in a car?

The most common variety of liquid antifreeze is an IAT formula, or Inorganic Additive Technology. ZEREX™ Original Green is an IAT coolant that has been used for decades and is a formula proven to provide unsurpassed corrosion protection.

1. Does it matter what antifreeze I put in my car?
2. How do I know what antifreeze to put in my car?
3. What happens if you use the wrong color antifreeze?
4. What color is the universal antifreeze?
5. What is the red antifreeze?
6. How many types of antifreeze are there?
7. What is green antifreeze used for?
8. What happens if you use green coolant instead of orange?
9. What is orange antifreeze?
10. Is green coolant bad for aluminum?
11. Which antifreeze is universal?
12. Are all blue antifreeze the same?
13. Can I use universal antifreeze in my car?
14. What is blue antifreeze for?
15. What is yellow antifreeze?
16. What antifreeze is pink?

Does it matter what antifreeze I put in my car?

There are lots of different types of antifreeze and it's crucial to understand that there is no single antifreeze that's suitable for all makes and models. The best thing to do is to always use the antifreeze that's recommended by your car manufacturer.

How do I know what antifreeze to put in my car?

To make sure you're choosing the right HOAT coolant, look at the brand name, rather than the liquid's color. The HOAT formulation is a combination of the OAT formulation and the IAT formulation. HOAT uses both silicates and organic acid to protect your engine and combat corrosion.

What happens if you use the wrong color antifreeze?

What Happens if You Use the Wrong Coolant? ... It's important to note that the type of coolant you should use can't accurately be identified by color. Using the wrong coolant can lead to corrosion and other damages to the radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, cylinder gasket, and more.

What color is the universal antifreeze?

Traditional North American “green” antifreeze, the original “universal” formula that everybody used until the introduction of today's extended-life coolants.

What is the red antifreeze?

Red antifreeze is commercially known as Dexcool® that lasts longer than other types of antifreeze. ... This hybrid technology leads to the production of red antifreeze. When compared with green antifreeze and other older versions of antifreeze compounds, red antifreeze is more stable and it improves the water pump life.

How many types of antifreeze are there?

There are three main types of coolant that car companies use: Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT), Organic Acid Technology (OAT), and Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT). Typically, older cars use IAT. It needs to be changed every two years or 24,000 miles, making it far inferior to newer formulas.

What is green antifreeze used for?

Green engine coolants are designed for use in older cars (think pre-2000), ones that contain a lot of steel and copper components in the cooling system. To protect these metallic parts from rust and corrosion, Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) gets added to the mix.

What happens if you use green coolant instead of orange?

Can I mix green coolant with orange coolant? This is one of those questions usually asked after the fact, and usually engine damage has already occurred. The green and orange coolants do not mix. When mixed together they form a gel-like substance that stops coolant flow, and consequently, the engine overheats.

What is orange antifreeze?

One of the new types is "organic acid technology," or OAT. It's orange. ... Instead of OAT, most new cars now use a "hybrid" antifreeze that's formulated with both OAT and the silicate inhibitors from green (Japanese hybrids have different inhibitors). It comes in too many colors to pretend this type is color-coded.

Is green coolant bad for aluminum?

While the manufacturers of these coolants recommend only using them in an aluminum radiator, as opposed to the copper/brass radiators, we still don't recommend them in our all-aluminum radiators. ... We recommend the traditional yellow/green coolant because it has always worked for us.

Which antifreeze is universal?

Generally, all makes all models universal antifreeze is 96% ethylene glycol and just 2 to 5% inhibitors. Since the product is billed as all makes, all models, it's can't possibly be vehicle specific, so it's really a compromised product that provides LESS corrosion protection than the factory formula.

Are all blue antifreeze the same?

Coolant and antifreeze colors and standards

Although 'coolant' and 'antifreeze' are often used interchangeably, they're not quite the same thing. ... But there are other colors available: orange, blue, purple, even yellow and pink. However, they're not different colors for appearance's sake.

Can I use universal antifreeze in my car?

There are advantages to using only one type of coolant, both for newer and for classic cars. Classic car owners traditionally use inorganic acid coolants, the ones that are ethylene-glycol-based and bright green in color. ... But using an OAT-based universal coolant will be fine in your classic car.

What is blue antifreeze for?

Antifreeze mixes with water to form a covalent bond to prevent the water from freezing. ... Antifreeze Blue is a full concentrate which meets BS6580 and contains the same pure ethylene glycol and anti-corrosive additives as the Red. Its application is for protection for up to a maximum of 2 years.

What is yellow antifreeze?

These types of antifreeze are made out of organic components. Namely the propylene glycol. This new solution was introduced back in 1995 by General Motors. This type of antifreeze is advertised as long-lasting antifreeze.

What antifreeze is pink?

Valvoline™ ZEREX™ Pink Fully Formulated HD Antifreeze/Coolant is a low-silicate formula charged with special inhibitors to protect heavy duty diesel engines from liner pitting and corrosion.