Coolant (coolant), aka antifreeze, plays a key role in the operation of the car engine. Without it, it will overheat in just a minute. And it must be suitable, otherwise corrosion of motor parts, failure of the pump, radiator and other units are inevitable.
In this case, the degradation of antifreeze can be provoked by yourself, if you pour into the expansion tank incompatible with it coolant. Therefore, today we will tell you what antifreeze is allowed to mix with each other without unpleasant consequences. Everything is not as simple as it may seem.
When you need to mix antifreeze
The level of antifreeze in the engine can fall sharply. The reasons are very different: radiator leakage, rupture of a sleeve, pump or thermostat malfunction, resulting in boiling of coolant with its subsequent squeezing out of the system.
You may not have a stock of standard antifreeze (the one that is filled in the system initially). It is not a fact that it will be found in the nearest store. Then the question will arise: can antifreeze be mixed to continue the trip?
A similar situation arises when buying a used car, when the level of coolant in the tank is below the minimum mark, but you do not have information about the liquid poured into the system.
The practice is as follows: in the case of the need to refill the coolant in the expansion tank, many go to the store and buy coolant of the same color that is filled in the car. This is an erroneous approach. There is no guarantee that you purchase a liquid that will not harm your car.
Features and Types of Antifreeze
The color of antifreeze says nothing about its type. Blue, green or red antifreeze makes the dye, which manufacturers add arbitrarily to make it easier to control the level of liquid and look for places of its leaks. In addition, coolant is tinted to avoid confusing it with drinks, because it is poisonous. And a clear global standard of color classification for antifreeze, alas, does not exist.
The properties of antifreeze do not depend on the dye. In addition to polyatomic alcohols, a solution based on which is called antifreeze, coolants contain numerous additives. These additives reduce the negative impact of coolant on aluminum alloys, copper, steel and rubber parts. The additives reduce the risk of metal cavitation and improve heat transfer in the engine. It is these components, which remain a trade secret of each manufacturer, and determine the basic properties of antifreeze. Therefore, the answer to the question “Can you mix antifreeze from different manufacturers, but the same color?” is obvious: it is better not to.
You can read more about the composition, features, types of antifreeze and their classification in our detailed guide. In brief, antifreezes are inorganic, organic (carboxylate), hybrid and lobrid. And not all of them mix safely with each other.
The main helper in choosing antifreeze is the car manufacturer. In the manual of the car indicated the type of antifreeze poured at the factory, as well as the tolerance (alphanumeric code), which should be at the recommended to replace the liquid. All major automakers have such tolerances. Therefore, in the store you should look for a mention of the necessary tolerance on the canister of antifreeze. And to ask the seller questions like “Can you mix antifreeze red with green” makes no sense.
Today, for example, is becoming increasingly widespread classification adopted by the concern VAG for the coolants used by it. So, hybrid antifreeze, which Volkswagen used until 2012, has the designation G11 and green color. Organic antifreezes G12 and G12+ are colored red. And the lobrid antifreezes G12++ and G13 used today by the German concern are purple. However, other manufacturers sell the same lobrid coolants of different brands of yellow or orange color.
It comes to the fact that in auto parts stores you can meet a showcase on which there are three canisters of antifreeze of different colors from the same manufacturer with the same marking, say, G12 +. In this situation, the color of the liquid is nothing more than an advertising or marketing move. Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors? Sometimes yes, and here’s why.
What types of antifreeze are incompatible
Antifreeze of the same shade is preferable only that the liquid in the expansion tank remains transparent and homogeneous. So it will be easier to control its quality and performance. And you should choose according to the labeling.
Ethylene glycol antifreeze class G11 includes inorganic corrosion inhibitors. These additives are designed for prevention, but are not able to eliminate the rust that has already occurred. Therefore, G11 antifreeze is advisable to use in relatively new cars, where the elements of cooling systems have not yet been corroded. G11 is suitable for a car with a copper or brass radiator. And in a new car with an aluminum radiator coolant with marking G11 is better not to pour. Antifreezes of this class are easily identified by the markings Traditional coolants, Conventional coolants and IAT.
Coolants of G12 and G12+ series are also ethylene glycol, but already carboxylate – with organic corrosion inhibitors. They are considered to be more advanced in comparison with G11. Antifreezes G12 affect the centers of rust, eliminating its further spread. Features of such compositions are more effective thermal conductivity and increased service life. Such compositions are optimal for cars with powerful engines, which are more heat-loaded. Mix antifreeze series G11 with a line of G12 and G12 + is not recommended because of the risk of a chemical reaction with loss of working properties of the coolant.
Marking G12 + + + is put on lobrid ethylene glycol antifreeze. They contain both organic corrosion inhibitors and silicon compounds. Theoretically, antifreezes G12++ keep working capacity up to ten years.
The most modern antifreezes are propylene glycol, or second-generation lobrid, labeled G13. They are also referred to as Multifreeze fluids. They are also mostly hybrid, where inorganic and organic components are present. Therefore, in theory, these compositions, if necessary, can be safely added to any antifreeze – hence the name. However, due to the high cost of such coolants, it does not make practical sense.
Below for clarity, we provide a table of compatibility, so that you understand what antifreeze can be mixed. At the same time, do not forget that experts in principle do not approve of mixing antifreeze without an acute need. The additive composition of each antifreeze is unique to each manufacturer. Guarantees that mixed liquids, even of the same type will not enter into a chemical reaction, no one will not give you.
Remember: mix antifreeze G11 with compositions series G12 and G12 + can not. Whereas advanced coolants – series G12 + + + and Multifreeze – are more universal and in theory suitable for refilling the expansion tank of almost any car. In antifreeze G13 in an emergency situation, you can add organic coolants, although they themselves for refilling is not the best option because of the high cost.
The most budget OL under the brand name TOSOL because of the unpredictability of the composition is better not to use at all when mixing, and for refilling take water. If you have a question whether you can mix green and blue antifreeze, for example, after buying a used car – these colors can be exactly TOSOL, it is better to replace it with a modern OJ.
Table of compatibility of antifreeze
And one more useful advice from experts. If it is necessary to refill the OJ in a relatively small volume, within 200-300 grams, it is best to use ordinary distilled water. It will definitely not provoke a chemical reaction inside the antifreeze, but only slightly reduce its properties.
In emergency cases, you can pour and ordinary water. But if such a cocktail is not replaced in time with a new and clean antifreeze, there is a risk that the mineral components contained in it, turning into deposits, will provoke negative processes in the entire system.
What happens if you dolle the wrong antifreeze
You have already realized that arbitrary combination of coolants from different manufacturers and chemical properties can lead to negative consequences. What happens if you mix antifreeze with an unsuitable composition of another brand? The first symptom that can be detected is a precipitate. Falling out when mixing incompatible coolants, it is a suspension of small particles deposited on the inner surfaces of the cooling system and clogging its channels.
The sediment and deposits formed in the system will have an abrasive effect on the internal surfaces of the engine and pipes, the pump and other components. Mixing antifreeze, you can face a sharp decrease in the performance of the coolant. The final composition loses the necessary thermal conductivity, and its operating temperature range narrows. As a result – overheating of the engine in the heat and possible difficulties with starting the engine in winter.
Symptom, the detection of which requires a quick flushing of the cooling circuit and replacement of antifreeze for a new liquid – loss of transparency and coloring of antifreeze in dirty gray or brown shades. Clouding of the coolant after refilling foreign antifreeze will prompt the beginning of the process of formation of sediment and deposits.
Another obvious external sign of incompatibility of used antifreeze – foaming coolant. Antifreeze begins to leak in the form of a brown mass from the expansion tank. Foam in the cooling circuit indicates that the engine is filled with two mutually exclusive antifreeze and heat exchange processes in the system are broken.
In short, if on the way you restored the necessary volume of coolant with antifreeze from another manufacturer, OL of another series or with water at all, then in any case you have done the right thing. This is still better than leaving the engine without cooling at all. However, if the above symptoms appear – sediment, foam or a significant change in color – it is necessary to contact a car service in order to flush the cooling system and completely replace the coolant.
Totals
- Color does not say anything about the composition of antifreeze, and it is necessary to focus not on it, but on the type of coolant and tolerance of the car manufacturer.
- If you have a modern (not older than 10 years) car, most likely, it is filled with antifreeze G12 / G12 +. It can be mixed with the same, but not with G11.
- There are universal antifreezes G12++ and higher: they are expensive, but they can be added to any other coolant.
- Don’t forget that you can always top up with distilled water. This is as safe as possible in terms of compatibility. In small quantities (up to 300 g) it practically does not change the properties of antifreeze.