Antifreeze - red, green, blue ... What's the difference? Does color affect the composition of coolant for a car? What happens if you mix two different colors of antifreeze?
Motorists are actively asking these questions before the onset of winter. 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 performance properties over a wide temperature range, including very low ones. That is, using antifreeze, you can be sure that it will not freeze in the cold season.
There are a lot of tasks 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, guarantees against the occurrence of insoluble precipitation during operation. Manufacturers manage to provide all the specified characteristics through the use of a special package of additives that give the fluid the required properties.
More recently, differences in the chemical composition of antifreezes were determined visually - based on the color of the coolant, which can be red, green or blue. So, red color corresponded to acidic antifreezes, and blue and green to silicate ones. Today, such a gradation is not always used, however, for silicate and acid antifreezes, the division is still 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 it both in summer and in 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 many more criteria. These include:
- resistance to foaming;
- effectiveness of anti-corrosion additives;
- guarantees against the appearance of insoluble sediment during long-term operation, etc.
In 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 antifreeze that is optimal for use in a particular car engine.
So, for example, the 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 antifreezes of different brands:
Another important nuance is the resource of antifreeze, that is, its service life as an engine coolant. For most foreign antifreezes, it is approximately 120-150 thousand kilometers, and for the aforementioned "Tosol" 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 played by ethylene glycol.
This substance has a very low freezing point and allows the use of antifreezes based on it in any frost. However, in itself, this substance is very active and, with a “naked” application, 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 lubricating properties, and so on. It is from these additives that the color of antifreeze largely depends.
Red, green or blue...
Having studied the difference between antifreezes, many motorists are wondering which antifreeze is better - red or green, or maybe blue? It can be answered briefly - the best antifreeze is the one that the car manufacturer recommends for use.
This is due to the fact that automakers conduct their own testing of certain compositions, 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, when using a coolant of a different composition, even if more expensive, it may not always lead to a better result on a particular motor.
At the same time, the color of the coolant does not play any role at all - what was advised, then we pour. It goes without saying that in such a situation it is not necessary to talk about which antifreeze is better or worse.
Is it possible to mix antifreezes of different colors
As we wrote above, the color of antifreeze is often dictated by the characteristics of its chemical composition, more precisely, the characteristics of the additives introduced into it. Accordingly, an 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 a precipitate, an increased tendency to foaming and other unpleasant features.
At the same time, they do not appear immediately, but for a long time.
In fact, this means one thing - if you added antifreeze of a different color and composition to the system 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 a similar mixture for a long time, then there is a rather high risk of harming the cooling system.
Video - is it possible to mix blue and green antifreeze:
First of all, in the "risk group" is the pump, which 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 has been a trend towards the release of antifreezes similar in composition, in which the color of the liquid may vary.
Based on this, one should pay attention not so much to the color of the coolant as 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 can be complementary due to differences in the composition of the additives used in them.
Which antifreeze is better to fill and in what cases
Replacing antifreeze, in most cases, is a seasonal event. Often it is also timed to repair the cooling system, for example, replacing the radiator. In addition, antifreeze, along with other operating fluids, is recommended for replacement. And in this case, the question often arises of which antifreeze to fill in and in what cases.
Speaking of antifreeze, first of all it is worth noting the fact that most liquids are divided into certain classes - G11, G12 and G13.
The G11 class includes cheap antifreezes containing a minimum set of additives. As a matter of fact, the domestic "Tosol" and its analogues can be attributed to it.
The G12 class implies more expensive antifreezes based on carboxylate additives. They have better heat dissipation capabilities and also provide better corrosion protection.
Class G13 antifreezes are based on polypropylene glycol, which makes the antifreeze more environmentally friendly to use. Such a liquid is not poisonous, and at the same time it has all the advantages of other types of antifreeze. As a matter of fact, most modern automakers recommend the use of this group of antifreezes, and are guided not only by technical aspects, but also by the concepts of environmental friendliness.
Accordingly, it is necessary to look at the class of the product, and not at its color, which, in this case, does not play a role.
In fact, when replacing antifreeze, you should be guided solely by the technical characteristics of your vehicle, as well as the specifications for admission. The latter has its own for each car and is indicated by a specific code, which is also indicated on the antifreeze canister.
For example, for the specification for approval it is designated as SSM-97B9102A, for Volkswagen - VW TL-774, for BMW - No. 600.69.0. and so on. According to the recommendations of the automaker, you should select the antifreeze that you will use throughout the entire period of operation.
It should be remembered that antifreeze is presented on the market in two types - concentrate and liquid, ready for use. The difference of 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 concentrate. In fact, ready-made antifreeze in cans is the essence of the same concentrate, but already diluted to you by the manufacturer. So only the factor of personal convenience plays a role here, but not the performance of the coolant.
conclusions
Based on the foregoing, we see that the performance of antifreeze depends not so much on its color, but on the composition and, most importantly, the package of additives used in it.
In this case, you should use only antifreezes recommended for your car, and any mixing experiments are possible only in an emergency, and by no means for permanent use in a car.
At the same time, you should strictly follow the regulations for replacing the coolant and do not forget about safety measures, because any ethylene glycol-based antifreeze (and these are all compounds on the market) is a highly toxic product that must be kept away from children and used very carefully.
The vehicle uses a variety of process fluids. All of them periodically require replacement. When buying, many are concerned about the question of how red antifreeze differs from green. In today's article, we will look at the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
Characteristic
Any antifreeze is designed to remove heat during engine operation. In winter, this liquid (namely, a certain part of it), taking heat from the engine, provides heating for the passenger compartment. In summer, the coolant enters the radiator.
In terms of composition, all coolants are made up of ethylene glycol. The exception is the 13th group, but more on that later. Foreign antifreezes are a concentrate, where the percentage of ethylene glycol reaches 95 percent. Everything else is additives and the domestic "Tosol" is arranged according to a similar principle, but here the percentage of water content is much higher (up to 40 percent).
Varieties
According to the European standard, all coolants are divided into several groups:
The last group is purple antifreeze. The difference between red and green antifreeze is the absence of ethylene glycol. It uses absolutely harmless, environmentally friendly, propylene glycol. Purple antifreeze has appeared recently and is rarely found on the domestic market. Therefore, further we will consider the differences between red antifreeze and green, that is, the 11th and 12th groups.
Color
It is worth noting that initially both coolants have a transparent color.
It is already painted by the manufacturer. These color differences were introduced by Volkswagen. It is believed that the 12th group and red antifreeze is more technologically advanced than green. G12 is used in Europe more often than the 11th.
Temperature
Ethylene glycol solution, unlike plain water, does not freeze immediately. The process takes place gradually, in several stages. First, small crystals form in the liquid. Their concentration increases as the temperature decreases.
And this happens until the antifreeze turns into a kind of semolina in consistency. However, unlike water, which turns into ice already at "zero", the coolant crystallizes at temperatures below minus 50 degrees Celsius. If you lower this figure by another 10 degrees, then only then will the antifreeze completely harden. But if the water expands when freezing and literally tears the pipes and the expansion tank, this liquid does not change its volume at any negative temperatures. It will only be thicker or more liquid. According to studies, antifreeze of the 11th and 12th groups expands by only 0.7 percent of the total. There are no differences in the freezing temperature threshold for the green and red compositions. In this case, they are completely identical.
Additives
This is how red antifreeze differs from green. If we consider the 11th group, here manufacturers use exclusively silicate additives designed to reduce the formation of rust. But as practice shows, they are not able to protect the metal parts of the cooling system from corrosion. The properties of these additives are similar to those of the domestic Tosol. The only advantage of this coolant is good heat transfer. The latter does not form a thin film on the insides of the channels of the system.
Thanks to this, there is no delay in the exchange and release of heat. As for red antifreeze, carboxylic acid additives are used in its composition. They envelop the insides of the cooling system and do not allow rust to develop further. However, due to the thin film, heat transfer deteriorates. This is the main disadvantage of these liquids.
Radiators
The material from which the car cooling radiator is made is important. Green antifreeze is suitable for aluminum structures and products made from its alloy. The additives contained in it are absolutely harmless for such an environment. As for red antifreeze, it is intended for copper and many car owners ignore this fact and pour other liquids into them. This can have a negative effect on them, up to the formation of scale and rust. The same applies to aluminum radiators. The use of red antifreeze in them is highly undesirable.
Additive features
The green coolant uses inorganic compounds. It can be phosphates and borates. They are practically inactive before the centers of corrosion. As for the more "technological", red analogues, they contain additives based on organic acids. They prevent the further development of rust, prolonging the service life of the SOD elements.
Life time
Another factor that answers the question "how does red antifreeze differ from green." The first has a service life of up to five years. At the same time, green antifreeze and its domestic counterpart "Tosol" can be used in the system for no more than two years.
Further, the mixture forms a precipitate and begins to contaminate the channels of the cooling system. Checking the condition of the liquid is very simple. It should be oily to the touch and not have strong odors. Otherwise, the fluid must be replaced, as there is a possibility of engine overheating.
TCL antifreeze green and red - what is the difference?
This is a Japanese manufacturer that has been making coolants since 1949. Despite the great competition, the manufacturer is confidently holding on to the world market. Translated from Japanese, this abbreviation stands for Tanikawa Chemical Laboratory. It is supplied in plastic canisters from 2 to 18 liters. Depending on the concentration of distilled water, the freezing point is from -15 to -50 degrees Celsius. The fluid resource is 4 years or 80 thousand kilometers. This company produces green and red antifreeze. How are these fluids different? The red composition is intended for domestic market vehicles. These are Toyota and Daihatsu. Green is used for all other brands. The high quality of antifreeze allows it to maintain the specified temperature regime of the engine at any speed. However, in Russia this manufacturer is little known. One of the few representative offices of TCL is located in Vladivostok.
Is it possible to mix
Over time, the fluid level in the expansion tank drops. This is due to the presence of distilled water in the composition. When heated, it exits through the valve. You can't ride low. Can I mix red and green antifreeze? At first glance, the difference between them is minimal, but such an action leads to irreversible processes. As we said earlier, there may be organic or inorganic additives. If they are combined, the liquid may foam. The motor will then boil. The protective film will also disappear, the composition will precipitate. All this impairs heat transfer in the cooling jacket.
If fluid needs to be added, distilled water should be used. However, remember that when it is added, the temperature threshold of crystallization decreases. So, if 50 percent of distilled water is used in the liquid, this indicator drops from -40 to -15 degrees Celsius. This must be taken into account in the winter time. Also, due to the use of water, the volume of expansion during freezing increases.
note
When choosing a new antifreeze, keep in mind the fact that not all companies adhere to the European standard in the manufacture of liquids. For example, some Japanese brands produce group 12 antifreeze and dye it green.
The term of operation in this case is up to five years. Also, the color can be crimson, blue, and even yellow. All this is done so that during a breakdown, the driver can determine the place of the leak. Therefore, when buying, pay special attention not to color, but to the group to which this or that model belongs. And “topping up” always use distilled water.
Conclusion
So, we found out how red antifreeze differs from green. As you can see, the difference lies in the use of additives. The basis for antifreeze is the same. It's ethylene glycol. And in what proportion to dilute it with water, the manufacturer decides. Most of it is contained in "Tosol" (up to 40 percent), while foreign brands sell 95 percent concentrate.
Today, on the shelves of car dealerships, you can find dozens of brands of antifreeze with different characteristics. They differ not only in properties, but also in colors, representing the whole gamut of shades of blue, green and red. Motorists rightly have questions - what is the fundamental difference between liquids of different colors, and which one is better to use for the car's cooling system?
Composition and properties.
Antifreeze (from the English antifreeze - non-freezing) is the general name for liquids used in cooling systems of automotive equipment and other vehicles.
Such autochemistry must have certain physical properties:
- High heat capacity for reliable heat removal from an engine heated to high temperatures;
- High thermal conductivity to ensure the appropriate heat transfer rate;
- The boiling and freezing temperatures necessary to comply with the operating conditions (for modern engines, the upper limit should exceed +150 degrees, and the lower one depends on climatic conditions - for example, freezing temperatures below -40 degrees are recommended for central Russia).
These requirements are achieved through the use of:
- bases with the appropriate properties (for example, ethylene glycol has the necessary heat capacity and thermal conductivity, boils at a temperature of about +200 and freezes at -12.3 degrees);
- additives that correct parameters and impart additional properties.
Organic and inorganic substances are used as additives, which also affect the operation of the cooling system as a whole. These include:
- silicates;
- nitrites and nitrates;
- phosphates;
- boric acid salts;
- carboxyls, etc.
Classification of antifreezes.
Today, a single international standard for antifreezes has not yet been adopted. Because of this, auto chemical goods manufacturers from various countries are guided by their own national standards when producing them. For example, in Russia there is GOST 2808489 (it corresponds, for example, Tosol), in the USA SAE J 1034 and ASTM D 3306 standards are used, in Japan - JIS K2234. All of them establish different norms and requirements, which introduces serious confusion into the classification.
As an intermediate solution to the problem, manufacturing companies, experts and motorists use the classification adopted by the Volkswagen concern.
In accordance with it, 3 classes of antifreezes are distinguished.
Antifreeze G11.
Designation options on packages - G11, Traditional coolant or
Conventional coolants, IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology).
These coolants are produced according to classical technology and are composed of:
- ethylene glycol (93% or more);
- inorganic additives, most often silicates, providing not only the necessary thermal properties, but also protection of the elements of the cooling system from corrosion (3-5%);
- distilled water.
Additives do not necessarily contain only silicates, they can be a combination of various inorganic compounds.
The main advantage of such additives is the creation of protective films on the inner surface of the elements of the system, which prevent mechanical damage and significantly reduce the intensity of corrosion processes.
Such protection also has disadvantages:
- deterioration of the thermal conductivity of the cooling system components;
- violation of the integrity of the protective layer (destruction of films and precipitation) due to temperature changes and mechanical influences (vibrations);
- increased concentration of mechanical particles in the coolant flow, which can lead to accelerated equipment wear and clogging of channels.
To avoid negative consequences, automakers, creators of automotive chemistry and experts recommend changing such antifreeze at least once every two years.
Coolants G12, G12+, G12++.
Designation options on packages - G12, Carboxilate coolants, OAT (organic acid technology).
Their appearance is due to the attempt of companies producing antifreezes to get rid of the shortcomings of traditional silicate additives, to preserve the main production technology.
The composition has changed accordingly - carboxylate additives - organic acids and their salts - have been added to the ethylene glycol base.
As a result, protective films on the internal surfaces of the elements of the cooling system are formed only in those places where there is damage and the corrosion process begins to develop. This has resulted in:
- improved heat transfer;
- extension of fluid service life up to 3-5 years (the maximum is fixed when using a finished factory product and pouring it into a clean system).
The main disadvantage is a decrease in the level of corrosion protection, since additives work only on already affected areas.
To eliminate this shortcoming, manufacturers began to produce antifreezes using modified technologies:
- Hybrid - G12 + (Hybrid coolants, HOAT). In addition to carboxylates, traditional inorganic additives are introduced into the composition - silicates, nitrites (common in the USA), phosphates (used by Japanese companies).
- Lobrid - G12 ++ (Lobrid coolants, SOAT coolants). The first such fluids appeared on the market in 2008 and use a complex of organic and new inorganic compounds as additives.
Antifreeze G13.
The first products from this class (G13) were put into circulation in 2012. Its main difference is the use of propylene glycol as a base, replacing toxic ethylene glycol. In terms of properties, these fluids are similar to G12 ++ antifreezes, but are environmentally friendly.
A little about color.
Very important! The color of antifreeze does not refer to the designation of its class or properties!
Moreover, the same color can have products from different companies that are radically different in characteristics.
Since there is no single standard for these liquids, manufacturers can use any dyes for additional marking of their products. This is done in order to increase the marketing attractiveness of products (the bases of coolants are colorless), warn the consumer about health hazards and make it easier to find places of possible leaks.
Some practical nuances of using antifreezes are based on this.
- It is absolutely impossible to top up liquids according to the “green to green” principle! If it is necessary to restore the liquid level with a slight decrease (no more than 200 ml), the best solution is to use distilled water. As a rule, such a consumption is associated precisely with the evaporation of water, and its topping up will restore the composition and will not disturb the concentration of additives.
For more significant losses (for example, due to leaks during a breakdown of the radiator), it is recommended to completely replace the coolant. To do this, it is necessary to drain the old system from the system, rinse the lines and elements with water and fill in new antifreeze. The color doesn't matter!
- It is not recommended to mix different antifreezes. Even products belonging to the same class contain different sets of additives from different companies. When mixed, they can lose their properties, which will lead to problems in the cooling system.
If necessary, you can check the compatibility of coolants. To do this, small amounts of them are mixed in a separate vessel. If the consistency does not change, no sediment appears and no violent chemical reactions are observed, it is possible to use these liquids together (for example, topping up one into a system filled with another). Color also does not play any role.
When completely replacing the fluid in the cooling system, it should be purchased, guided not by color, but by the manufacturer's recommendations (or give preference to universal classes G12 or G12 +). At the same time, when draining the old one, it is necessary to pay attention to the transparency and the presence of impurity particles. With a significant amount of flakes, it will be necessary to flush the system with water in order to completely remove the accumulated sediment. Otherwise, the reaction of additives with the substances included in its composition is possible, which will negatively affect the properties of antifreeze and worsen its heat-removing and protective properties.
Video.
When buying coolant for a car, many drivers doubt each time what color of antifreeze and which manufacturer to choose. Let's see what exactly this product represents and what color affects in the operation of the machine.
The basis of the liquid are ethylene glycol(propylene glycol, ethanediol) and distilled water, which provide resistance to low temperatures. Translated from English, this word sounds like "non-freezing." In addition, it contains additives that protect hoses, pipes and the car's engine from corrosion, rust and cracking.
Due in part to the properties of this fluid, the vehicle can be used year-round.
There is an erroneous opinion that the color of the cooler and its quality are interrelated. For example, red liquid is the best and lasts the longest. And the blue one is the simplest, at best it will last for a couple of years. At the same time, many believe that antifreeze of the same color is always similar in composition and its mixing with each other does not threaten anything at all.
What fluid to choose to replace
Are you interested in the question, what color is antifreeze and what does it depend on? All types of liquid are initially produced transparent. But, on sale, antifreeze comes in different colors. The difference in color was invented by manufacturers to make it easier to distinguish the substance by type and anti-corrosion additives. But, the color of antifreeze has absolutely nothing to do with quality characteristics product. Red, yellow, green and blue - they can be completely the same in composition.
Before pouring liquid into the tank, forget that there are remnants of yellow in it, and the purchased blue one is more suitable for them in terms of its properties. Often, one-color liquids from different manufacturers may differ in composition, and multi-colored liquids completely match each other.
But, if you don’t remember which antifreeze was used earlier, regardless of color, it’s better not to add it, but completely replace it with a new one and this time remember or write down the name. Otherwise, additives may lose their useful properties or an unnecessary residue will appear in them.
If you decide to change the antifreeze completely, pay attention not to coloring, but to the recommendations of its manufacturer, as well as the automaker, to the climatic conditions in which this car will be operated. After that drain the used coolant, flush the system thoroughly with water and fill it with a new one, regardless of its color - red, blue or green. The main thing is that it matches the type of your car and the climatic conditions of operation.
What else you should know when choosing a product
It is always necessary to monitor the fluid level in the car system and replace it in a timely manner. It is worth buying antifreeze of the same brand. If you just bought a car and are in doubt about which one to choose, consult with experts in the field that you trust, or with owners of similar cars. If the car is used, ask the former owner.
The air temperature has dropped significantly and you decide that the previous antifreeze is no longer suitable. Have you chosen the one you need, but are you afraid that changing the color of the liquid will affect the operation of the vehicle?
The color of the antifreeze itself has nothing to do with this process. It depends only on the dyes that are used by manufacturers for marketing purposes.
But, as experienced motorists say, painting has its advantages. If you see a colored liquid under the car, this indicates that there are problems in the cooling system that must be fixed immediately. Besides, antifreeze is a poisonous substance that can harm a living organism. So it’s better to let it differ significantly from water in appearance.
That's all the advantages of color, which does not affect the chemical composition of the substance.
The difference in the color of the coolant in different countries
Manufacturers around the world produce antifreeze in different colors. In Europe, the liquid is dyed in a certain color to indicate the tolerance class, which can also be written on the canister, in documents, and also on the website of the automaker.
In the post-Soviet space, Volkswagen standards are effective: G 11 (blue, yellow and green), G 12 and G 12+ (shades of red), as well as G 13 (orange, yellow). Antifreeze produced in the Russian Federation may also differ in color, which will depend on its manufacturer and composition.
The colors of antifreezes made in Japan indicate the temperature threshold for their freezing:
yellow - up to -20 0С;
green - up to -25 0С;
red - up to -30 0С.
The Japanese advise using green or red coolant for cars. This only applies to their products. And if the question arises, which analogue from Europe can be poured into the cooling system of these machines, then the engine class should be taken into account.
Americans most often produce green and red antifreezes. Nitrite antifreeze is recommended for their car engines, but, they are carcinogenic and their use in Europe is prohibited. Here they are replaced by G 12 or G 12+ (that is, carboxylate). Mostly, along with the name of their antifreeze, their manufacturers prescribe European counterparts, where the color can often be completely different.
Finally
So, as you can see, absolutely nothing depends on the color of antifreeze. Study the information on the packaging for the product and in the documents for the car - this is exactly what will help prevent many unforeseen situations.
