What Color Is Universal Antifreeze? In this post, we will be discussing the different types of universal antifreeze and the color that it typically comes in. By doing so, you will be able to identify the type of antifreeze that you have and whether or not it needs to be replaced. In addition, this amortips.com post will provide relevant information.
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The traditional green antifreeze used in North American cars is a formula that was originally designed for universal use. Today’s extended-life coolants are available, however, and are better suited for certain types of vehicles.
This 1-gallon bottle of O’Reilly 50/50 coolant and antifreeze is a great choice for vehicles in need of both cooling and protection.
Prestone is a common coolant colour, but other coolant manufacturers use different colours.”
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to determining the chemicals in a cooling system’s fluid, so many manufacturers opt for different colors to denote which types of chemicals they contain. Prestone is typically yellow, but other companies may use blue, green, or orange fluids.
Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are two of the most commonly used conventional green or blue coolants. OAT is a uniquely concentrated single-component, multi-metal corrosion inhibitor that makes these coolants universal.
The O’Reilly Universal Antifreeze & Coolant features a patented, advanced organic acid technology that helps keep your vehicle cool and protect it for the lifetime of the vehicle.
There is no reliable way to tell which coolant type you have based on the color. For example, OAT coolants are usually orange, yellow, red or purple. Older IAT coolants may be green. Coolants that manufacturers sell can complicate matters even further by having different colors for different types of engines.
After your vehicle’s warranty has expired, you can use the same type of antifreeze that came in the cooling system from the factory, or you can switch to a compatible “Universal” or “Global” coolant.
If you mix different-coloured coolants, they generally don’t mix well and can form a gel-like substance. This will halt coolant flow, causing blockages that can lead the engine to overheat and damage to the radiator, water jackets, and heater core.
No, you cannot mix green and orange coolants. When mixed together, they create a gooey substance that blocks the flow of coolant and can result in an engine overheat.
Prestone Platinum antifreeze and coolant is a top-of-the-line product that offers extreme protection against both freezing temperatures (-50°) and overheating / boiling over of the engine (+268°).
There are three types of antifreeze, green, red, and black. Manufacturers recommend that you change the green type every 36000 miles or 3 years. The red type is still used in some older vehicles, but we recommend changing it every 60000 miles or 2 years. Black antifreeze is not recommended for use in any vehicle because it can damage the engine.
Some carmakers use different colors of antifreeze to indicate which type it is. GM, for example, uses orange-colored Dex-Cool antifreeze, while VW’s preferred coolants are typically yellow- or blue-colored, Hemmings reports. All of these types of antifreezes work to keep a car’s engine running at a safe temperature.
TYPE | INHIBITOR TECHNOLOGY | COLOR |
---|---|---|
IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology) | Silicates | GREEN |
OAT (Organic Acid Technology) | Organic Acids | ORANGE |
HOAT (Hybrid OAT) | Silicates & Organic Acids | YELLOW |
HOAT (Hybrid OAT, Phosphate-free) | NAP Free | TURQUOISE |
DexCool is a coolant and antifreeze designed to be used in all cars and trucks made by General Motors. It comes with a 5-year protection coverage and meets GM’s specification for DexCool 6277, ASTM D-3306, and D-4340.
Most people are familiar with two types of antifreeze: green and orange. However, these days there is a wider variety of colors available, including yellow, blue, pink, and more. Mixing different colors of antifreeze is not safe because they can create unsafe chemicals in the mixture.
To avoid damaging your radiator and cooling system, make sure the fluids you’re using are of the correct type. Mixing different types of fluid could result in damage to both components. This can lead to costly repairs or even engine/waterpump failure.
If you want to use your vehicle’s cooling system with the new engine, it is backwards compatible. However, mixing the systems could result in problems so you are better off using a service from YourMechanic.
If the coolant is not blue, it may be time to replace the system. Most coolant brands will keep their coolants the same colour to avoid any confusion. If you’re still not sure, check with your vehicle’s manufacturer or service manual for specificcoolant specifications.
Your car’s engine oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the oil is rusty or orange in color, it means the rust inhibitor has become ineffective and it’s time to flush the system out and add new coolant.
STARFIRE CONVENTIONAL GREEN ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT is a premium, ethylene glycol-based product that meets or exceeds ASTM requirements for use in cars and trucks. For heavy duty applications, the use of Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs) is recommended.
Prestone DEX-COOL coolant/antifreeze is a concentrated product that is specifically designed to work with all GM vehicles 1995 and newer, most Ford vehicles 2011 – 2018, and most FCA vehicles.
The new Prestone bright yellow coolant is compatible with any coolant used in cars from any car brand or manufacturer. The label clearly states this. I have 2 gallons of the stuff, mixed 50/50 with distilled water, and it produces a lighter “orange”, clear coolant mixture.
The old technology, a.k.a. “conventional,” a.k.a. “inorganic,” is green in color. Most of what you see on the shelves at Wal-Mart and AutoZone is conventional, including the yellow bottles of Prestone and the white bottles of Zerex. One of the new types is “organic acid technology,” or OAT. It’s orange.
Physical Properties and Chemical Analysis | SuperTech |
---|---|
Chloride, ppm (ASTM D5827) | 7 |
Glycolate, ppm (ASTM D5827) | Not Detected |
Formate, ppm (ASTM D5827) | Not Detected |
Color, (Visual) | Yellow |
Prestone Prime is a concentrated universal green antifreeze / coolant for use in automotive and truck cooling systems. It meets or exceeds ASTM requirements for cars, light-duty, and heavy-duty trucks. Some benefits of Prestone Prime include its low silicate formulation, which makes it compatible with vehicles already using a conventional coolant.
The universal antifreeze color code is typically blue or black, and the color code for black universal antifreeze is typically the blue or black color code.
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