The Vital Role of Engine Coolant

Engine coolant is more than just a colorful liquid sloshing around in your car’s radiator. It plays three crucial roles:

  1. Freezing Point Reduction: During winter, coolant prevents the cooling system from freezing. Imagine a chilly morning – without proper coolant, your engine could suffer severe damage due to frozen water inside the system.

  2. Boiling Point Elevation: In hot summer months, coolant raises the boiling point of the cooling system. This prevents overheating and keeps your engine running efficiently.

  3. Corrosion Protection: Coolant guards against rust and corrosion, ensuring the longevity of various components within the cooling system.

Types of Engine Coolant

Modern vehicles require specific coolants to maintain their cooling systems effectively. Let’s explore the three main types:

  1. IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology):

    • Recognizable by its distinctive green color.

    • Common in older cars but rarely used as factory fill in modern vehicles.

    • Requires more frequent changes (approximately every two years or 24,000 miles).

  2. OAT (Organic Acid Technology):

    • Found in vehicles manufactured by General Motors and some other automakers.

    • Comes in colors like orange, yellow, red, or purple.

    • Typically changed every five years or 50,000 miles.

  3. HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology):

    • Combines benefits of IAT and OAT coolants.

    • Common in Chrysler and Ford vehicles.

    • Primarily orange or yellow.

    • Change intervals vary (usually every five years or 50,000 miles, but some automakers allow up to 10 years or 150,000 miles).

Choosing the Right Coolant

  1. Read the Label: When adding coolant, ensure you choose the correct type. Some store-bought formulas are already mixed, so read the label carefully.

  2. Color Matters: Coolants come in various colors – blue, green, red, pink, yellow, or orange. Opt for the color specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

  3. Mixing Ratios: Your car requires a 50/50 combination of water and antifreeze. If you buy pre-mixed coolant, ensure it’s the right ratio.

Remember, using the right coolant is essential for maintaining your car’s health. So, next time you pop the hood, pay attention to that colorful liquid – it’s doing more than you think! ??????

Sources:

  1. AAA Automotive

  2. Mechanic Base

  3. The Drive

  4. AutoZone