Hello there, fellow car enthusiasts! 👋

Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most important fluids in your car - coolant. As you may know, the purpose of coolant is to regulate your engine’s temperature, prevent overheating, and ultimately help your car run smoothly. But did you know that there are different types and colors of coolant, and each one serves a specific purpose? Let’s dive in and learn more!

Type of Coolant 🆚

There are two main types of coolant - glycol-based and organic acid-based. Glycol-based coolants are the most common and are typically made up of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. These can provide better protection against freezing temperatures and corrosion. Organic acid-based coolants, on the other hand, are newer to the market and are made up of organic acid technology (OAT) or hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT). These types of coolants are more environmentally friendly and can provide longer-lasting protection against corrosion.

Glycol-Based Coolants 🌡️

Glycol-based coolants can come in both IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology) and OAT (Organic Additive Technology) formulations. The IAT formulation is the traditional green coolant, which commonly uses silicates as the main corrosion inhibitor. The OAT formulation, on the other hand, usually comes in other colors such as red, blue, or orange and uses organic acid inhibitors.

Organic Acid-Based Coolants 🌿

Organic acid-based coolants use carboxylates, phosphates, and other organic acids to provide excellent corrosion protection for the engine block, cylinder heads, and radiator. These coolants are usually colored pink or red.

A car engine with coolant pouring in

Coolant Colors 🎨

As mentioned above, the color of a coolant can indicate what type of coolant it is. However, there are some generalizations to be made about what colors mean for standard coolants.

Green 🟢

Green coolant is the traditional, sometimes called “universal,” coolant. It is typically IAT glycol-based and has been used for decades. Green coolant is more often used in older cars and has a shorter lifespan than newer OAT coolants.

Red/Pink 🔴

Red or pink coolant is almost always an organic acid-based coolant. These coolants offer longer-lasting engine protection because they contain longer-lasting inhibitors.

Orange 🟠

Orange coolant is another glycol-based coolant, but this type usually has a longer lifespan than green coolant. This is because it is an OAT glycol-based coolant and contains inhibitors such as organic acids or mixed organic and inorganic inhibitors.

Yellow 🟡

Yellow coolant is usually used in commercial and industrial vehicles, heavy machinery, and some newer cars. It can come in both OAT and HOAT formulations.

A chart showing the different colors of coolant and their associated types

What Do Colors Mean? 🤔

It’s essential to know what the color of your coolant means so that you can make sure you have the right type in your vehicle. If you are unsure what type of coolant to use, consult your owner’s manual or speak to a mechanic.

When you see a coolant color, it doesn’t give a specific indication if the coolant has gone bad or lost potency. If you’re unsure about the condition of your coolant, take your car to a mechanic to have it checked.

Tips and Tricks 💡

  • Always use the recommended coolant specified in your owner’s manual.
  • Check your coolant levels regularly.
  • Never mix different types or colors of coolant.
  • Change your coolant on the recommended schedule, which is typically every two to five years.
  • Make sure to dispose of used coolant properly, as it can be toxic.

That’s all for our discussion on car coolant types, colors, and what they mean! We hope you learned something new and informative. If you have any questions about coolant or anything car-related, feel free to reach out to us! 🚘👍

A mechanic replacing a car's coolant