Does it matter which antifreeze coolant I use?
Does it matter which antifreeze coolant I use?
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.
What antifreeze does Lexus use?
Prestone Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant Formulated For Toyota/Lexus Vehicles.
What are the three types of antifreeze?
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.
What is the most effective antifreeze?
- Valvoline MaxLife Engine Antifreeze : Best Multi-purpose Antifreeze.
- Shell Rotella ELC Nitrite Free Antifreeze : Best Antifreeze for Diesel Engines.
- EVANS Cooling Systems High-Performance Waterless Engine Coolant : Best High-Performance Coolant.
- Havoline Xtended Life Engine Coolant : Best Ready-To-Use Coolant.
What happens if you use the wrong color antifreeze?
Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages; this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator. Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket.
Is antifreeze the same as coolant?
Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat.
What color is Prestone 50/50 antifreeze?
Prestone is yellow, but many other coolant manufacturers use different colours.
Is Toyota and Lexus coolant the same?
After 2004, Toyota and Lexus switched to Super Long Life Coolant. This is pink in color and has a 100,000 mile initial replacement interval, followed by 50,000 miles thereafter. This coolant is premixed with water and doesn’t require dilution.
What’s the difference between coolant and antifreeze?
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. Engine coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water, with a common ratio of 50:50.
Is antifreeze better than water?
Why Use Both? You may be wondering why both water and antifreeze are needed. While water is the best fluid for cooling, it can cause corrosion. Antifreeze has a lower freezing point and a higher boiling point than water so it helps protect your engine in extreme weather conditions.
How often should you change the coolant in your car?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FLUSH THE COOLANT? Depending on the vehicle and the coolant, the average time between flushes is two years or 30,000 miles for silicated coolants and up to five years or 100,000 miles for an extended drain coolant.
Does the color of antifreeze matter?
The truth is, color is not a reliable predictor for what type of coolant you have. For example, OAT coolants are usually orange, yellow, red or purple. Then the older IAT coolant is green. Coolants that manufacturers sell can confuse matters even more, like Honda’s blue coolant.