Is it possible to mix red and green antifreeze?

Is it possible to mix green and red antifreeze?

Antifreeze is a liquid that has the property of not freezing at very low temperatures.

Due to the existence of liquids of different colors, users often wonder about them: is it worth and can they be mixed.

Red and green antifreeze are far from the only ones on the modern market, but they are among the most popular. Therefore, it is appropriate to consider the dilemma: is it possible or not to mix red antifreeze with green?

Characteristics of the composition of various groups

One liquid cannot satisfy all the requirements and desires of buyers in the modern market. That is why manufacturers have focused their attention on creating various antifreezes, which are radically different in their composition of functional butts, and as a result are aimed at solving and neutralizing various problems. They should be divided into the following groups:

Carboxylate antifreezes G-12, G−12+
Hybrid – G-11
Lobrid antifreeze G-12++, G-13
Traditional

The main feature of the first group is the presence in their composition of carboxylate inhibitors, obtained through the use of organic, that is, carboxylic, acids. They are used to combat corrosion.

Such organic inhibitors do not form a single protective layer and do not act on the entire surface of a particular system; they are directed to one place, the so-called center of the occurrence and formation of corrosion, and form a protective coating only 0.1 microns thick.

Carboxylate substances

Carboxylate liquids have the longest service life, which borders on the figure of 5 years. They better perform the function of combating corrosion and cavitation, as a result of which they guarantee an optimal level of cooling of the car engine.

A special feature of hybrid antifreezes is that they contain not only organic, but also inorganic inhibitors.
According to European technology it is silicate, according to American technology it is nitrites, and according to Japanese (as well as Korean) it is phosphates.
The service life of such liquids ranges from 3-5 years.

Lobrid substances

Lobrid antifreeze appeared on the market relatively recently. Only in 2008, scientists invented a new liquid, the purpose of which was to cool engines and other metal parts. Their difference is that they contain, along with organic ones, a small amount of mineral inhibitors.

Traditional liquids

The last group of antifreezes is called traditional and is outdated at this stage of development of society. The reason for this is the short shelf life of the liquid, which usually does not exceed two years. The main components that act as corrosion inhibitors are inorganic elements such as:

silicate
phosphate
nitrite
nitrate

Disadvantages of Traditional Liquids

Another disadvantage of traditional antifreeze is that they cannot withstand high temperatures (over 105 C). In addition, over time of their use, inorganic components form a kind of coating on the inner surface of the engine and contribute to the deterioration of heat transfer inside. As a result, the overall cooling efficiency of the engine deteriorates.

Antifreeze belongs to the traditional group. Antifreeze is a coolant developed back in the days of the Soviet Union, used for the cooling process of engines of all brands of cars.

The main component, which is used as antifreeze in antifreeze, is ethylene glycol.

The meaning of color in classification

Very often, out of ignorance, antifreeze users express the opinion that a particular color of antifreeze directly depends on its quality or parts. One of the most popular classifications is as follows:

red is the highest quality, it lasts about 5 years,
green – average quality, lasts from 3 to 5 years,
blue - the one that includes antifreeze, very “simple” and low-grade - for 1-2 years.

In addition, there is also a yellow and purple liquid, which is not even taken into account when describing the classification. They are credited with either the highest quality or the lowest.

Mixing antifreeze of different colors

Motorists are sure that mixing liquids of different colors is strictly prohibited. They lose their properties, do not perform their intended functions and can generally lead to breakdown. Hence the opinion that liquids of the same color can be mixed, since they are the same. However, antifreezes of different shades cannot be used simultaneously due to their mutual rejection.

It is believed that mixing the red and green colors of the liquid with each other is the same as breaking the engine with your own hands - it will not do any good and will harm the car . That is why you need to consider the question - what will happen if you mix antifreeze of different colors?

Break stereotypes

There is nothing like the color factor that determines the ability to absorb liquids. In fact, similarity or difference has nothing to do with color or shade.

Such a dependence exists only in relation to the composition and quality characteristics.

Antifreezes can be identical in components or distinctive, and it is the reaction of the components of various liquids to each other that decides whether they can be mixed or not.

Why then the different colors of such coolants and what it means is easy to understand.

In fact, this is a simple marketing ploy by a manufacturer who is trying to expand the range of its products and attract the attention of consumers.

Because the same color of products from different manufacturers stands out less on the shelves than as a full spectrum of colors with a list of all possible functions and purposes, special parts and applications.

The relationship between color and characteristics

In fact, any coolant is colorless, and to give it a shade of the desired color, you just need to add a few drops (i.e., from 2-5 grams) of dye per several tons. Such a volume cannot affect the quality and properties of the product, but it helps to diversify your products and give them the opportunity to stand out from other substitutes.

Very often, color becomes a kind of agreement between the liquid manufacturer and the buyer.
For example, specifically for the Ford company, Technoform OJSC creates orange liquids.
For Volvo, the CoolStream Premium company produces yellow antifreeze.
A pink liquid is being created for the famous GM-Opel car plant.

So, if you mix red and green antifreeze, nothing will change, but only if they have the same composition and properties. Color doesn't solve anything, it's just a typical consumer mistake. Everything is decided by the composition and reaction of one product to another.

Source: https://AntifrizTosol.ru/27-mozhno-li-meshat-zelenyy-i-krasnyy.html

Is it possible to mix antifreeze: consequences of improper mixing

Home page » Coolant » Is it possible to mix antifreeze: the consequences of improper mixing

To understand the consequences of mixing antifreeze of different colors and how to mix it correctly, let’s look at the main points.

Coolants are divided into two groups:

salt-based, usually green and blue in color;
with an acid base, as a rule, have a red tint.

Refrigerant colors may vary as determined by the manufacturer. But manufacturers usually assign just such shades to their products so that buyers do not have difficulties purchasing them. Color does not affect the composition and characteristics, since it is only a dye.

What types of liquids can be found on sale:

TL. Traditional antifreeze class, painted blue. In composition, this type of substance is more similar to Antifreeze than others.
G11. Products belonging to this standard are colored green and blue, as well as blue-green. Silicate elements are added to the composition of such mineral antifreezes. Some manufacturers assign orange and yellow colors to liquids belonging to this type. Once in the cooling system, the substance forms a protective film on all its internal components. The disadvantages of such products include their low service life, averaging no more than two years. During operation, the protective layer that appears inside the system begins to crumble and spread throughout it as the liquid circulates. Its residues become an abrasive and disrupt the operation of the CO, leading to problems with heat transfer.
G12, G12+ and G12++. Such refrigerants have a red color or another shade of it - lilac, pink, violet, etc. Organic liquids of this standard are classified as carboxylate products. The main advantage is local action. If there is rust in the cooling system, G12 antifreeze prevents corrosion from spreading to other elements. This is achieved by adding special additives to the composition. The service life on average is about five years, but if the consumer dilutes the concentrate and adds distilled water to it, then the service life of the refrigerant is reduced to three years. The main disadvantage is that the product does not prevent the formation of corrosion, but only prevents an existing source from spreading. And antifreezes belonging to the G12+ and G12++ standards allow you to remove rust. The refrigerant will not become an abrasive even at the end of its service life, since it does not create a protective film in the system.
G13. May have a pink, lilac or yellow tint. This product is a hybrid product and, in fact, it is a more advanced version of G12++. The main difference is that the refrigerant is not based on ethylene glycol, but on the safer propylene glycol. This has led to an increase in the cost of the liquid, which is why it is not so popular among consumers today. Manufacturers do not have a uniform standard for antifreeze colors; each company can assign any shade to its product.

What are the same and different in the compositions?

The composition of liquids, especially those belonging to classes G11 and G12, is very similar. They are approximately 80% the same. As a rule, manufacturers use distillate and ethylene glycol as the basis for products of different brands. The remaining 20% consists of additives that perform important functions.

You can learn more about the classification of antifreeze from the video filmed by the Unol Tv channel.

Regarding additives, each manufacturer uses different sets, making their product unique and having the characteristics it needs.

Additives are used to remove the destructive effect, which is achieved by mixing distillate and ethylene glycol. The combination of water and this element is chemically active and can lead to the destruction of metal components of the cooling system.

Especially the walls of the radiator device and pipes. The use of additives reduces the likelihood of damage.

There are several options for additives:

Protective. They are designed to cover the cooling system lines. Additives create a special film on internal surfaces that prevents the destruction of metal components. Such additives are usually used in products of the G11 standard, as well as domestic antifreeze.
Anti-corrosion. They do not create an additional film, but actively remove rust when it appears. Thanks to these additives, the outbreak is blocked, since the chemical elements included in the composition seal it.
Hybrid. They combine the advantages of the two types of additives described above. Manufacturers of liquids usually mix them in the required proportions.
Additional additives. There can be many of these. For example, anti-foam, designed to prevent the formation of foam in the cooling system.

Mixing different colors and brands

It is possible to mix red and blue refrigerant, green and yellow, as well as other colors of the same or different manufacturers in the heating system if both liquids have the same characteristics.

Each antifreeze is colorless before adding dye to the composition. The main difference in the products is not the shade, but the quality itself.

One coolant may be designed to protect the cooling system from rust, another for lubricating properties, and a third has a specific temperature range.

User Nikolay Dergunov published a video that will help you understand the issue of mixing different antifreezes.

All refrigerants can have different freezing and boiling temperature thresholds, and can also be aggressive to metal and rubber elements to varying degrees.

If two liquids that do not match each other in composition are mixed, this is fraught with the following consequences:

Deposits will begin to appear in the cooling system, which will lead to the formation of a mixture. Because of this, antifreeze will lose its characteristics, which will reduce its service life. As a result of the conflict between different additives, the chemical components refuse to work with each other. The liquid becomes thick and forms a mixture that is unable to circulate normally through the cooling system. Because of this, its lines become clogged and the CO becomes inoperable as a whole, and, as a result, the engine overheats. This problem can be solved by flushing. If cleaning is not done in a timely manner, it will be necessary to replace the pipes.
It will be worse if the chemical molecules present in the liquid begin to work against each other. As a result, you will have to not only change the refrigerant, but also flush the cooling system; sometimes its elements may fail.
Foaming will occur. This problem is faced by many consumers who have mixed antifreezes of different compositions and additives. Foam appears in the expansion tank, as well as in the cooling system pipes. There is no point in adding new liquid that has anti-foam additives to the tank. The CO must be completely rinsed several times, and then fresh product must be poured into it.

If the hoses and lines of the cooling system are critically clogged, the following may occur:

accelerated wear of bearing parts and their destruction;
failure of the water pump caused by excessive heating of the mechanism;
overheating of the cylinder head gasket and the engine as a whole, which contributes to deformation and wear of the cylinder head gasket, as well as jamming of the pistons (failure to solve the problem in a timely manner will lead to their failure).

Damaged CO radiator Scale on the radiator unit Deposits in CO hoses before and after cleaning

Dilute correctly

The cooling system should not be allowed to operate on several different antifreezes at once. If two or more species are mixed, the composition must be taken into account. It is important that the liquids have a similar base.

Mixing any brands is allowed, although this is not recommended and only applies to high quality products. Refrigerants belonging to the G11 standard can be diluted with any antifreeze except G12.

As for G12 fluids, they can only be mixed with similar refrigerants or with products that fall under the G12+ standard. You cannot mix with substances of another class.

G13 refrigerants can be diluted with G12+ and G12++ fluids. Mixing antifreeze with domestically produced antifreeze, which is considered a more aggressive agent for many imported cars, is not allowed. Because these products have fundamentally different bases. We have figured out why it is impossible to mix refrigerants of different compositions; special mention should be made about dilution with water.

If you have detected a lack of liquid in the OS, then you can replenish the volume with distillate, but this is only allowed in the warm season. In cold weather, adding water can cause it to freeze in the cooling system, which will negatively affect the functionality of the elements.

Do not use tap liquid for mixing, as the composition contains substances that will lead to the formation of rust and scale. As a result, this will cause clogging of the highways.

In cold weather, it is not worth adding water to the concentrate, since it is usually at least 65% in any refrigerant.

What to do if you have filled in antifreeze of a different classification?

The VChSLV channel in its video showed the process of flushing the cooling system, as well as replacing antifreeze.

Mixing different types of refrigerants in a car's cooling system and not flushing it out promptly will cause deposits to form. As soon as possible, cleaning is done, which will require at least 10 liters of distilled water.

Execution process:

Open the hood and let the car engine cool.
Place a container under the antifreeze drain hole or under the radiator into which the waste will flow.
Use a wrench or your hands to remove the plug. The spent substance will begin to drain.
When the liquid comes out, screw the lid on.
Fill the cooling system with distillate. Its volume should correspond to the amount of liquid drained. You can add citric acid to the water (at the rate of 1 kg per 10 liters of distillate for severe contamination or 800 grams per 10 liters for non-critical deposits).
Start the engine and let it run for about 15-25 minutes.
Unscrew the drain plug and wait until the water comes out of the system.
Remove the expansion tank. Sediment collects at its bottom. Clean the tank thoroughly. If the contamination is strong and is not washed out, the container is replaced with a new one and then replaced.
If the drained liquid is too dirty and contains traces of scale or deposits, repeat the flushing procedure again. Carry out cleaning until the water drained from the system becomes clear. Then you can fill in new antifreeze. We recommend assessing the condition of the cooling system pipes. If they are severely clogged and flushing does not solve the problem, the hoses should be replaced. Also look at all gaskets and seals. If they are worn out and in critical condition, these components must be replaced.

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Video “How to properly flush the cooling system?”

User Lesha Master published a video in which he showed the cleaning process and explained all the nuances of performing this task.

Do you have any questions? Specialists and readers of the AUTODVIG website will help you ask a question

Source: https://autodvig.com/ohlazhdajushhaja-zhidkost/smeshivanie-antifrizov-9113/

Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors?

Antifreeze is a liquid used to cool parts of a car engine and also protects it during operation in severe frost conditions. It is used in all types of equipment and is characterized by the presence of additives that color the composition in a certain color.

Depending on the substance added to the antifreeze, orange or purple, blue, green and red liquid are distinguished. That is why cooling solutions are divided into: traditional, hybrid, carboxylate, lobrid. Choosing a specific brand of liquid with anti-corrosion properties sets the condition for using only it.

However, it often happens that for an emergency replacement the necessary solution is not at hand and the question arises of using a different brand with the already filled one.

The coloring of the coolant in a certain bright color indicates its chemical composition. It is an arrangement between sellers and manufacturers, used as a publicity stunt or for other reasons. Green, blue, orange, violet, red or blue tone is given by inorganic inclusions.

Often the same type of cooler comes in different colors, or different types may be of a similar shade. In contrast to the domestic Antifreeze, which is exclusively blue, foreign manufacturers offer liquids with the name Volkswagen in different color options corresponding to a specific type.

The color of antifreeze may change during its use and depends solely on engine operation. A brown or other dark shade indicates a large accumulation of waste from corrosive processes in the cooling system and engine parts.

It is highly not recommended to operate a car with such liquid, as it risks breaking the heart of the car. It is necessary to immediately drain the spoiled antifreeze and replace it with a new one after the system has been completely cleaned.

Such darkening of antifreeze is caused by the use of a low-quality product, plain water, lack of preventative regular flushing of the cooling system, etc.

If you are using a quality product, you should be wary if the mileage is low or the antifreeze has been used for a short time and its color changes. Most often, this indicates the presence of a certain amount of corrosion, scale or other deposits in the cooling jacket or the entire system.

The rate at which antifreeze changes color indicates the condition of the engine and its level of contamination. Another situation is when a straw-yellow tint of the cooling solution appears, which indicates that the dye has reached the end of its service life or probable overheating of the motor.

In this case, driving with the existing fluid is allowed, but it is recommended to change it as soon as possible.

Antifreeze classes

Coolants are divided into:

Salt;
Glycolic;
Alcohol;
Glycerin;
For heating systems.

Salt antifreeze is based on hydrochloric acid or ordinary kitchen salt - calcium or sodium chloride.

The share of these substances is 25%, which ensures that salt-based antifreeze can withstand low temperatures down to – 20 °C. Increasing the content to 30% guarantees the safety of the engine in conditions with frost down to – 55 ° C.

Weaker 20% hydrochloric acid based fluids are used in environments with the lowest readings down to -35°C.

The danger of salt antifreezes is that for an alloy of brass, copper or aluminum, when boiling, corrosion increases from the salts accumulated on the grates, catalyzing the process of destruction of the metal. High temperatures also promote corrosion.

Glycol antifreezes are based on tri-, di- and monoethylene glycol. These coolants are produced in the vast majority of products of domestic brands. Depending on the percentage of active substance in the water, temperature conditions for engines with such a solution can range from 0 ° C to -65 ° C.

Their advantage is that when frozen, they do not change their volume, turning into a mushy composition. By adding over a dozen other additive components, antifreeze will become a high-quality coolant. The absence of at least one of these additives will cause the death of the engine or pump.

The peculiarity of the alcohol solution is its low freezing point, however, compared to ethylene glycol compositions, they are not able to cause a decrease in the temperature of the water coolant.

The most common applications are as windshield cleaning fluid or for air brakes.

The use in the engine system is excluded due to the property of alcohols to ignite at elevated temperatures.

A solution characterized by a low freezing point is obtained based on glycerin. The maximum limit for such compositions is -40 °C. When the thermometer readings are negative, these liquids turn into a gel-like mass. Due to high consumption, they are less popular as an engine coolant than ethylene glycol analogues.

Antifreezes for heating systems are made on the basis of glycerin and propylene glycol. The peculiarity of these substances is their lower toxicity index than that of ethylene glycol solutions. The cost of such coolants is somewhat more expensive than the latter.

Antifreeze standards

Coolants for cars are divided into two categories:

SAE (propylene glycol based);
ASTM (uses ethylene glycol as a base).

These types are common and the norm in the United States. Other countries have their own gradation:

AFNOR - France;
ONORM - Australia;
CUNA – Italy;
BS – England;
GOST - Russia.

The classification is developed in accordance with the majority of cars and the specifics of the engine structure, as well as the prevailing climatic operating conditions of the vehicles. Manufacturers of branded cars, for example Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, can boast of distinctive standards, putting forward their own requirements for the type and properties of antifreeze.

Green

It is created on the basis of inorganic components, represented by phosphates and silicates, and contains organic ingredients. In addition to these elements, it contains a small amount of carboxylic acid and borates. Refers to the G11 standard, which designates it as a hybrid. The period of use is limited to 3 years.

The peculiarity of these antifreezes is their ability to envelop the internal walls in the cooling tract, which contributes to a more effective fight against corrosion. This merit goes entirely to the inclusion of carboxylic acid.

The main disadvantages of this coolant are the need to change at least once every 2-3 years, the creation of fine deposits that clog the thin channels of the cooling system, and a decrease in heat dissipation due to the film formed.

What brings this solution closer to class G12 is the percentage of carboxylic acid that can be contained in different proportions. There are “G11 +” and “G11 ++” green antifreezes.4

Red

A solution is created from organic carboxylic acids. The peculiarity of the substance is the creation of localized lashes in places where corrosion foci occur. The thickness of the protective film does not exceed 1 micron.

It is characterized by a long service life - 5 years until the next change. Belongs to class G12 according to the Volkswagen classification.

It has better protective properties against cavitation and metal corrosion than silicate or hybrid analogues.

In addition to excellent properties in the fight against defects formed on metal surfaces, red coolants cannot be used as a prophylactic agent or as protection for the cooling system. They are best used in brass and copper radiators, but can even be dangerous for aluminum structures.

Purple (Yellow)

Lobrid antifreeze combines an organic base and a small proportion of mineral inhibitors. This composition forms a film on the metal surface of the cooling system, which is used to combat corrosion.

Lobride liquids include silicates and organic acids. The main advantage of this class of antifreeze when used in a new engine is its service life with virtually no restrictions.

In the Volkswagen classification, this type of solution is designated as G12 ++.

Blue

Traditional antifreeze contains a combination of nitrates, amines, nitrites, borates, phosphates, and silicates, which are used as inhibitors of corrosion of engine parts. Most car enthusiasts in our country have used domestic antifreeze for a long period, but today this product is considered slightly outdated morally.

Firstly, heat resistance is limited to 108 °C, which is insufficient for an engine operating at temperatures up to 150 °C on average.

Secondly, the service life of inorganic inhibitors does not exceed 2 years.

Thirdly, silicates released during the use of classical cooling liquids prevent effective cooling by covering the internal surface of the system with a silicate layer. This leads to deterioration in heat transfer performance.

The listed disadvantages apply to all modifications of traditional Antifreeze.

The main rule when mixing antifreeze is to ensure compliance with the standard. It is not necessary that the liquids be produced by one manufacturer. It is enough to make sure of the quality of the product used and the solution being added. If a G13 class liquid is used, then it must be mixed with any G13 class product.

Mixing antifreezes of different colors is allowed if they comply with the same class. For example: G11 class liquid is produced in blue and green, Antifreeze is produced in red or blue.

It is allowed to mix one class of red and blue Antifreeze, or liquid type G11 blue and green.

G13 class antifreezes are produced in orange and purple colors, so they can also be combined without consequences for the engine.

Coolants G11 and G12 contain ethylene glycol, and for the production of antifreeze according to the G13 standard, propylene glycol is used. These are essentially monohydric alcohols that are not allowed to be mixed.

Since the first two groups are green and red, and the second are orange or purple, a mixture of yellow with green or red, and red with purple or orange antifreeze will be dangerous for a car.

What if you mix antifreeze of different classes?

When mixing red antifreeze of the G12 standard and green liquid of the G11 type, a minor danger arises when poured into radiators on aluminum alloys. The first type of solution has low protective properties specifically for this metal.

In the reverse process, when red G12 is poured into liquid G11, no catastrophic consequences are observed. However, the heat dissipation of the cooling system may be reduced. The protective film may precipitate over time.

Despite the tolerable consequences for the engine, the peculiarity of antifreeze in the set of additives for a specific car and purpose should be taken into account. Probably, different brands and types have a set that can “conflict”, causing undesirable consequences. Therefore, it is recommended to use such a mixture in emergency cases and completely change it as soon as possible.

How to dilute antifreeze with distilled water

A decrease in the level of antifreeze in the engine cooling system is a common occurrence. The option of purchasing a new product will be fraught with significant financial investments, and the use of small portable portions does not promise a long life for the motor. The only economical option is to dilute the antifreeze with distilled water. Over time, this additive evaporates.

The optimal proportion of distillate and ethylene glycol is a 1:1 ratio or a lesser proportion of water. At the same time, you should not pour a large amount of distilled liquid on the eve of winter, since the resulting mixture will not be able to protect against low temperatures.

Care must be taken to completely change the fluid. In small quantities, distilled water will not change the system; it is not necessary to replace it. When adding distillate, the chemical composition of the initial antifreeze does not change, maintaining its cooling properties.

Conclusion

Different manufacturers offer antifreeze in their own colors, so it is necessary to take into account the composition and type of additives. The ideal option would be to completely replace the used coolant or dilute it with distilled water.

If different antifreeze standards are mixed, the engine should be cleaned immediately and the engine should not be used. Even the most expensive antifreeze will not be able to take care of the iron heart of a “foreigner”; for this you need to use branded solutions or look for the most suitable ones.

Purchasing antifreeze from certified centers will protect you from counterfeit or low-quality products.

Source: http://jrepair.ru/interesnoe-na-jrepair-ru/teh-zhidkosti/mozhno-li-smeshivat-antifriz-raznykh-tsvetov

Source: https://www.drive2.com/b/1545714/

Which antifreeze is better - red or green, or maybe blue?

Antifreeze - red, green, blue... What's the difference? Does color affect the composition of a car's coolant? What happens if you mix two different colors of antifreeze?

Before the onset of winter, these questions are actively asked by car enthusiasts. Well, let's try to figure this out.

What does the color of antifreeze mean?

Antifreeze is a special liquid of a certain composition designed to cool the power unit of a car. The difference between antifreeze and ordinary water in this case is the stability of its performance properties over a wide range of temperatures, including very low ones. That is, using antifreeze, you can be sure that it will not freeze in the cold season.

There are many challenges facing antifreeze manufacturers.

The main ones include the stability of the chemical properties of antifreeze, its neutrality to metal and rubber elements of the engine and cooling system, and guarantees against the occurrence of insoluble sediments during operation. Manufacturers are able to provide all the specified characteristics through the use of a special package of additives that give the liquid the required properties.

Until recently, differences in the chemical composition of antifreeze were determined visually - based on the color of the coolant, which can be red, green or blue.

Thus, the red color corresponded to acidic antifreezes, and the blue and green colors corresponded to silicate ones.

Today, such a gradation is not always applied, however, regarding silicate and acid antifreezes, the division still remains in force.

As is clear from the purpose, antifreeze of any composition is designed to perform the same function - to cool the engine and do this both in summer and winter without significant changes in its own physical properties. In fact, any antifreeze available on the market, including domestic antifreeze, meets this criterion.

However, in practice there are much more criteria. These include:

resistance to foaming;
effectiveness of anti-corrosion additives;
guarantees against the appearance of insoluble sediment during long-term operation, etc.

As a matter of fact, antifreezes differ in these characteristics. Some work more efficiently, others less. These features are necessarily taken into account when designing a car, and the automaker provides its own recommendations regarding the antifreeze that is optimal for use in the engine of a particular car.

For example, domestic Tosol has a small number of protective additives and a tendency to foam, which limits its use in modern turbocharged power units of most foreign cars and many domestic models.

Video - is it possible to mix antifreeze of different brands:

Another important nuance is the service life of antifreeze, that is, its service life as an engine coolant. For most foreign antifreezes, it is equal to approximately 120-150 thousand kilometers, and for the aforementioned “Antifreeze” it is, at best, about 60 thousand kilometers.

Speaking about the composition of antifreezes, it is worth noting that all of them, from the domestic “Tosol” to the most expensive branded liquids, have the same base, the role of which is ethylene glycol.

This substance has a very low freezing point and allows the use of antifreeze based on it in any frost. However, this substance itself is very active and, when used “barely”, will cause rapid corrosion of internal metal elements.

It is for this reason that all antifreeze manufacturers use special additives that prevent the formation of rust, reduce foaming of the composition, increase lubrication properties, etc. The color of antifreeze largely depends on these additives.

Red, green or blue...

Having studied the difference between antifreezes, many motorists are wondering which antifreeze is better - red or green, or maybe blue? This can be answered briefly - the best antifreeze is the one recommended for use by the car manufacturer .

This is due to the fact that automakers conduct their own testing of certain compounds, and when using the recommended fluid, there is a guarantee that all components in the cooling system will work properly, and there is no risk of corrosion.

Accordingly, using a coolant of a different composition, even a more expensive one, may not always lead to better results on a particular engine.

In this case, the color of the coolant does not play any role at all - we pour what was recommended. Of course, in such a situation there is no need to talk about which antifreeze is better or worse.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors?

As we already wrote above, the color of antifreeze is often dictated by the characteristics of its chemical composition, or more precisely, by the characteristics of the additives embedded in it. Accordingly, antifreeze of a similar composition should be used for topping up.

This is due to the fact that many additives can react quite aggressively with each other. Such a chemical interaction can be expressed by the appearance of sediment, an increased tendency to foam, and other unpleasant features.

Moreover, they do not appear immediately, but over a long period of time.

In fact, this means one thing - if you added antifreeze of a different color and composition to the system in order to get home, and then replaced the coolant in the engine with the one recommended by the manufacturer, then there will be no harm. If you operate a car on such a mixture for a long time, then there is a fairly large risk of harming the cooling system.

Video - is it possible to mix blue and green antifreeze:

First of all, the pump is at risk because it may well fail due to corrosion or sediment, which will have an abrasive effect on its mechanisms.

So, as we found out, in most cases mixing antifreezes of different colors is undesirable. However, it is worth noting that today there is a tendency to produce antifreezes that are similar in composition, in which the color of the liquid may vary.

Based on this, you should pay attention not so much to the color of the coolant, but to its composition, indicated on the canister. If the parameters match, the liquids are quite suitable for mixing, even if their color differs from each other.

At the same time, not all antifreezes of the same color may be complementary due to differences in the composition of the additives used in them.

Which antifreeze is best to use and in what cases?

Replacing antifreeze is, in most cases, a seasonal event. Often it is also timed to repair the cooling system, for example, replacing a radiator. In addition, antifreeze, along with other operating fluids, is recommended for replacement when purchasing a used car. And in this case, the question often arises about what kind of antifreeze to fill in and in what cases.

Speaking about antifreeze, first of all it is worth noting the fact that most liquids are divided into certain classes - G11, G12 and G13.

Class G11 includes cheap antifreezes containing a minimum set of additives. As a matter of fact, it includes the domestic “Tosol” and its analogues.

Class G12 implies more expensive antifreezes based on carboxylate additives. They have better heat dissipation capabilities and also provide better corrosion protection.

G13 class antifreezes are based on polypropylene glycol, which makes antifreeze more environmentally friendly to use. This liquid is not toxic, and at the same time has all the advantages of other types of antifreeze.

As a matter of fact, most modern automakers recommend the use of antifreezes of this group, and are guided not only by technical aspects, but also by the concepts of environmental friendliness.

Accordingly, you need to look specifically at the class of the product, and not at its color, which, in this case, does not play a role.

Essentially, when replacing antifreeze, you should be guided solely by the technical characteristics of your vehicle, as well as the approval specifications. Each car has its own latter and is indicated by a specific code, which is also indicated on the antifreeze canister.

For example, for Ford cars the approval specification is designated as SSM-97B9102A, for Volkswagen - VW TL-774, for BMW - No. 600.69.0. and so on. According to the car manufacturer's recommendations, you should select the antifreeze that you will use throughout the entire service life.

It should be remembered that there are two types of antifreeze on the market - concentrate and ready-to-use liquid. The difference between the concentrate is that it is diluted with distilled water in the specified proportion, which, in most cases, is 1:1.

At the same time, there is no difference in which antifreeze to use - diluted or concentrated. In fact, ready-made antifreeze in cans is the same concentrate, but already diluted by the manufacturer. So, only the factor of personal convenience plays a role here, but not the performance characteristics of the coolant.

conclusions

Based on the foregoing, we see that the performance characteristics of antifreeze depend not so much on its color, but on its composition and, most importantly, the package of additives used in it.

In this case, you should use only antifreeze recommended for your car, and any experiments with mixing are possible only in an emergency, but not for permanent use in a car.

In this case, you should strictly follow the rules for replacing the coolant and do not forget about safety measures, because any antifreeze based on ethylene glycol (and these are all formulations on the market) is a highly toxic product that must be kept away from children and used very carefully.