Coolant is a crucial component aiding in regulating the engine temperature and extending its lifetime.
With so many coolant variations out there, choosing the right coolant can be overwhelming. The type of coolant that suits your car will depend on its engine type and age.
This comprehensive guide on ‘how to choose the right coolant for your car’ will help you narrow down your choices for you and your beloved car. Read the entire article to know more about coolants and find out the right one to keep your car in top-notch condition.
What exactly is Coolant, and Why is it Important in your car?
Coolant or antifreeze is a special solution of water and glycol that helps to regulate the optimum working temperature for car engines. A coolant prevents overheating of the engine in hot weather and freezing in extreme cold temperatures. Mixed with additives, it also works as a corrosion inhibitor and lubricator for the metal parts of the engine.
Role of Coolant in Your Car
The primary role of a car coolant is to absorb heat from the engine and pass it to the radiator through narrow channels where the heat dissipates into the air. The engine of your car generates heat rapidly, and without a coolant, the heat can cause severe damage to the internal components of the engine and a complete breakdown of the engine.
The glycol present in the solution raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing point. Hence, in extremely cold temperatures, when the car sits idle for too long, the coolant prevents freezing. It not only works as a safety mechanism but also protects the metal parts from corrosion and works as a lubricating agent.
Types of Coolants Available
There are multiple variations of coolants available in the market designed for different car needs. Let’s have a look at all the different types of coolants you can find.
Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT): IAT contains acidic additives, mainly silicate and phosphate. They are designed for older car models and have a higher freezing point. Usually pink in color IAT coolants need frequent replacements.
Organic Acid Technology (OAT): OAT coolants use propylene glycol and antifreeze and are free of silicates. Designed for modern cars, OAT coolants can last for up to 5 years and offer great protection from rust and corrosion. They may be in various colors like pink, red, orange, purple, and dark green.
Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT): As the name says, it’s a combination of IAT and OAT coolants. They contain inorganic as well as organic acids and work excellent for both old and new-generation cars. HOAT car coolants can easily last 5 years or 150,000 miles. They are usually gold or yellow in color.
Phosphate-free HOAT or Hybrid OAT: Also known as NAP-free coolants, Hybrid OAT is free of nitrate, phosphate, and amines. This hybrid technology is highly popular among European car brands. They are also good choices for heavy-duty diesel cars. These hybrid technology coolants have the highest lifespan of 10 years.
Phosphate HOAT or P-HOAT: P-HOAT coolants use phosphate as additives. They are designed for specific engine needs, typically for Asian car brands like Hyundai, Honda, KIA, Toyota etc. They can easily last for 5 years and are great at fighting against rust and corrosion. P-HOAT coolants are mostly pink or blue in color.
Silicated HOAT (Si-HOAT): Relatively new in the market the Si-HOAT coolant has silicate additives. They can give service for 5 years for passenger cars and 3 years for heavy-duty cars. The brands that support Si-HOAT coolants are newer models of Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, BMW etc.
Signs You Need to Check or Change Your Coolant
Your car will give you some indications if it needs coolant replacements. Let’s look at the most common signals of coolant issues.
Common Indicators of Coolant Issues
Engine overheating: If you notice the engine temperature gauge rising constantly, it may be because of low coolant levels or degraded coolant.
Leakage: Puddles of colored liquid under your car’s engine are a clear sign of coolant leakage.
Coolant indicator warning: Modern cars are equipped with coolant indicators for safety purposes. If you notice low coolant levels, make sure to go to a mechanic.
Sweet smell: Coolant has a sweet smell. If you smell something sweet in the system, it can be a leakage problem.
Contaminated coolant: If it looks rusty and changes its color it can be a sign of degraded coolant.
How Often Should You Replace Coolant?
The efficiency and lifespan of a coolant solely depend on its type and the condition of your car. In general, the lifespan of different coolants is as follows:
Types of Coolants | Lifespan |
Inorganic Additive Technology or IAT | 2- 3 years. 30,000 miles |
Organic Acid Technology or OAT | 5 to 6 years, up to 60,000 miles |
Hybrid Acid Technology or HOAT | 5-10 years or 50,000- 200,000 |
Phosphate Free HOAT or Hybrid HOAT | Up to 5 years |
Phosphate HOAT | 5 years for passenger cars |
Silicated HOAT or Si-HOAT | 5 years for passenger cars |
Step-by-Step Guide on how to choose coolant for car
Check Your Owner’s Manual
While choosing the coolant one should remember that different car manufacturers recommend using different grades of coolant. Even different car variants from the same manufacturer can have different requirements.
Look into the original manufacturer’s guide where the engine requirements are described in detail. The owner’s manual can tell you what type of coolant is compatible with your car. In case you lost the owner’s manual you can check it on their website.
Identify Your Engine’s Requirements
Another factor that determines the coolant type is your car’s engine. The coolant type also depends on the engine’s material, size, and age. For instance, aluminum engines require a coolant with additives that give protection against rust and corrosion for that material.
When in Doubt, Consult a Professional
If you have any doubt it’s better to seek professional help. Contact the service department of the dealer or take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic. They have the right knowledge and the tools for coolant flush and replacement services.
Conclusion: How to choose antifreeze or coolant for your car
To conclude, there are various types of coolant, and choosing the right one can be challenging. The essentials of how to choose coolant for your car depends on many factors like the engine material, temperature, size and age of the car. If you are not sure about what coolant to use, it’s better to check the manufacturer’s guide or go to the nearest service center for professional guidance.
