Table of Contents
How do I know what coolant to use in my car?
How to Check a Vehicle’s Coolant/Antifreeze
- Rather than open the cap on the radiator, just check to see whether the liquid reaches the “Full” line on the side of the coolant reservoir shown here.
- Coolant is usually red, green, blue, or yellow.
Do all cars take the same coolant?
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.
What happens if you put wrong coolant in car?
Using the wrong coolant or mixing different types together can hinder the car’s performance. It may also increase corrosion in the radiator. Using the wrong coolant can lead to corrosion and other damages to the radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, cylinder gasket, and more.
Can I use antifreeze instead of coolant?
Well, antifreeze and engine coolant are similar, but not the same. Antifreeze is a concentrated, glycol-based liquid that must be diluted with water before use – at which point it is referred to as coolant. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-mixed engine coolant, a ready-to-use solution of antifreeze and water.
What is Type A coolant?
Type A coolant contains an antifreeze + anti-boil component. This is typically either ethylene glycol and is used to decrease the coolant’s freezing point and raise its boiling point. Green coolant is your conventional coolant (Ethylene Glycol base) and is the most common type of coolant found.
How to choose the right coolant for your car?
When it comes to selecting a coolant, there are two things which you should take into account. First, you have to find what type of coolant you need. Second, you must find out what the base of the coolant is. First, the type of coolants, there are two main types of coolant, Type A and Type B.
Are there different colors of antifreeze and coolant?
You might be thinking, “What color is antifreeze? What color is Dex-Cool®?” It’s true, coolant liquid comes in different colors, most commonly green (orange for Dex-Cool®). Each color is a unique formula that should not be mixed.
How does the colour of coolant tell you what it is?
“Coolants in automotive light-duty applications are dyed many different colours; the colour of any automaker’s particular coolant does not tell the technician what the formula is. It doesn’t even signify what manufacturer the coolant was OE on.
What happens if you put the wrong coolant on your car?
If you use the wrong coolant then over time you’ll begin to notice a drop in your car’s performance, and can find a significant amount of damage. The most common method to find out is to simply check the coolant and find out what colour it is when the vehicle is cold.