by Radiator coolant (antifreeze) is usually selected by color. However, few people know that antifreezes of the same color can be completely different, and they may not be compatible with all cooling systems, temperature regimes, and radiators. Let’s try to figure out how to choose antifreeze correctly.
Antifreeze is not changed often, but in our realities, with a strong change in climate (from +30°C in summer to -20°C in winter), it is customary to change it every two years. In older cars (over 10 years), it is changed every year, using a flush and sometimes a radiator sealant to keep the cooling system, which is no longer new and may require attention or at least preventive maintenance, under control.
Color of Antifreeze
Initially, antifreeze is colorless. Manufacturers add dye to the coolant to improve visibility in the expansion tank and also so that the driver can visually distinguish different types of antifreeze by the color in the G classification (the antifreeze class by G).
For example, for G12, it is customary to consider it red, and G11 antifreeze as blue.
Nevertheless, some unscrupulous manufacturers are not hesitant to tint G11 antifreeze red, thereby confusing the buyer. You can encounter confusion in colors even in original antifreezes. For instance, Honda’s G12 is supplied in green, while Renault’s G11 is yellow in color but has a green cap. Therefore, it is commonly called green.
Although typical. Accordingly, choosing antifreeze for Honda by color would not be correct—green liquids are usually of G11 class, not G12. More on colors: the most popular are red antifreezes. There are also blue, green, yellow, purple, yellow-green antifreezes, and some shades of these colors.
What is Antifreeze made of?
Antifreeze is made up of water, alcohol, an additive package, and dye.
All of this in varying concentrations forms the antifreeze class according to specific engine and cooling system tolerances. A typical composition of antifreeze concentrate looks like this: 90% – ethylene glycol; 5-7% – additives; 3-5% – water; antifreeze dye.
Many antifreezes are sold as a concentrate, which needs to be mixed with distilled water. You can also find ready-made antifreeze on sale, which is immediately poured into the cooling system. The difference is the percentage of distilled water. Therefore, it is considered more cost-effective to buy concentrate than ready-made antifreeze.
Pay attention to the composition. Almost all antifreezes consist of 90% ethylene glycol and 3-5% distilled water. The rest are additives. That’s why it’s important to choose antifreeze, in which you can be 100% sure of the quality of the additives. Usually, these are German (HEPU, Febi, SWAG, Meyle) cooling liquids used from the factory in many cars.
They meet all tolerances and are harmless to the cooling system and radiators.
Ethylene Glycol is a diatomic alcohol of a oily consistency that boils at temperatures above 200°C and freezes at -12.3°C. A lethal dose is 200-300 grams.
Antifreeze Class by “G”
The “G” classification did not appear immediately. This classifier is a set of tolerances from different manufacturers. Most of them are already outdated, but new standards are emerging (for example, G13 – standard of 2012, does not contain ethylene glycol, and is made from environmentally friendly materials).
To avoid confusing the buyer, antifreeze manufacturers decided not to name antifreezes using classifiers such as GOST 28084-89 (Russia, USSR), BS 6580: 1992 (UK), SAE J1034 (USA), ASTM D3306 (USA), ONORM V5123 (Austria), AFNOR NF R15-601 (France), CUNA NC956 16 (Italy), JIS K2234 (Japan)… In general, instead of these complex codes from different countries, which often mean the same thing, antifreeze names now simply have a G, a number, and sometimes an additional indicator (+, ++), as well as a color indication.
Why and how did the classification of antifreeze by “G” appear? It turned out that the VW documentation classification of cooling systems took root in the world when all antifreezes were designated with the letter G with a number next to it. This short and understandable name is the main thing, which makes it understandable for the buyer. Don’t be afraid that VW did not provide for some kind of antifreeze.
The global automotive community equated the standards to this naming system. For example, BS6580: 1992 (British Standard) equals VW G11, and in the modern world—just G11. This occurred because the VW classification turned out to be the most convenient, understandable, and easy to perceive.
Antifreeze G11. In fact, it is the familiar “TOSOL”: cooling fluid that contains little or no nitrates, phosphates, borates, amines. Dyes used for this ethylene glycol-based antifreeze: blue, yellow, green, light blue.
Antifreeze G11 has a service life of 2-3 years. In the late 90s, early 2000s, this antifreeze standard began to be used less frequently in modern cars, where G12 began to be used.
Antifreeze G12. Currently the most popular antifreeze. It consists of ethylene glycol, distilled water, and additives. The difference from G11 is the absence of silicates, which improves anti-corrosion properties. The additive package is of higher quality.
The service life is longer—about 5 years, which is the main advantage over G11, along with higher anti-corrosion properties. It can be red, orange, and pink in color.
Antifreeze G12+ (G12 plus) and G12++ (G12 super plus). These are modified G12 antifreezes with an even purer base and even higher quality additives. The amount of harmful impurities and elements is minimal. As a rule, such antifreeze is used in modern turbocharged engines with small engine volume (up to 1.6).
The service life of this antifreeze is even longer, up to 8 years. The dye color in such antifreezes is violet/purple.
Antifreeze G13. The new G13 antifreeze standard appeared in 2012. G13 is based on propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. It is considered environmentally friendly since this alcohol base is not aggressive and not dangerous.
The corrosion activity is significantly lower, the service life is up to 10 years.
Antifreeze OAT. Contains organic acid (OAT – Organic Acid Technology). Does not contain nitrites, borates, silicates, phosphates. It cannot be mixed with antifreezes G11…G13. It has the most extended service life among all modern antifreezes, however, it is not very popular and OAT antifreeze is still not available in any line of coolant manufacturers.
Can different antifreezes be mixed? What antifreeze should be used for topping up?
Mixing different antifreezes is not recommended.
And here’s why. Different additives can conflict with each other: some of them may be alkaline-based, others—acid-based. Their reaction with each other may result in precipitates in the form of “flakes” in the cooling system. They can clog motor channels and eventually lead to engine overheating.
We do not recommend mixing different types of antifreeze.
For topping up in case of a leak, it’s best to use distilled water—something that truly is compatible with all types of antifreezes. Or add the antifreeze that you originally poured into the system. If a leak occurs while you’re on the road in winter, it is acceptable to top up any coolant of the same color. However, the antifreeze must be replaced as soon as possible, thoroughly flushing the system with a radiator and cooling system flush.
Concentrate or Ready Antifreeze?
It is believed that the ready-made antifreeze contains more additives than the concentrated liquid.
Unfortunately, the exact information is not always available on the antifreeze packaging. But the price tag on ready-made antifreeze is usually not much more expensive than concentrate. However, two liters of concentrate might be enough for a replacement (together with distilled water), and then you will significantly save.
Can the class of antifreeze be changed in older cars?
Yes, it can. And, in principle, this is practiced everywhere. Older cars and their cooling systems are more prone to corrosion and have an antifreeze standard of G11, but their owners often prefer G12 when replacing it, which is more corrosion-resistant and durable.
***You can choose and buy antifreeze on the hepu.com.ua website, where you can also find cooling system flushes and radiator sealants.
Our catalog contains only verified brands. Currently, there are promotions: -10% on HEPU and Febi antifreeze until the end of October 2020, -20% on K2, WINSO, NOWAX flushes and sealants.
