What antifreeze can be mixed with each other. How to determine if it is possible to mix antifreeze of different colors and classes and brands? Can antifreeze be mixed with other antifreeze?

Antifreeze is the general name for technical automotive fluids that are used to cool internal combustion engines. The boiling point of an ethylene glycol or propylene glycol based combination mixture is higher than the average operating temperature inside the motor, and the freezing point is below freezing. Due to this difference, the engine does not boil and starts without problems in conditions of negative temperatures, for example, in winter at -10..-40 degrees Celsius. The purpose is clear, it is more difficult to figure out what is the difference between red, green and blue antifreeze. To understand this, you will have to study the composition, the main properties of the components and understand the principle of operation of coolants.

The composition and properties of the coolant

The composition of antifreezes of different colors is practically the same. The basis for mixtures of this type is the same - dihydric alcohol and water. In addition to them, manufacturers add anti-corrosion, anti-cavitation, anti-foam and fluorescent additives to coolants.

Pure dihydric alcohol - ethylene glycol, propylene glycol - freezes at a temperature of -12.3 degrees. When mixed with water, whose freezing point is 0 degrees, a eutectic occurs that changes the properties of the finished product. Therefore, the crystallization temperature of the finished antifreeze is much lower than that of its components - up to -75 degrees.

Antifreezes are based on a water-glycol mixture, which ensures their resistance at low temperatures.

A pure mixture of alcohol and water is quite active. Without specialized synthetic and organic additives, such a coolant will destroy the engine from the inside in a matter of months. To prevent this from happening, manufacturers add:

• corrosion inhibitors;
• anti-cavitation substances;
• Anti-foam components;
• Fluorescent dyes.

Corrosion inhibitors form a thin protective film on the inner surface of the engine and its components, which prevents active alcohol from destroying the part. Anti-cavitation and anti-foam components minimize the destructive effect of local boiling on the walls of the unit. Fluorescent paint is needed to detect a possible coolant leak.

What color is antifreeze

Today the market offers dozens of types of coolants. It was in the Soviet years that car owners did not know other options, except for "antifreeze", now when you look at the counter of a car dealership, it's easy to get confused. To simplify the selection process among the mass of proposals, manufacturers have introduced a unified coolant classification system: TL 774. Initially, the classification was born within the Volkswagen concern, but quickly spread to the entire global market for the segment's products.

According to TL 774, the following classes of antifreezes are distinguished: G11, G12, G12 +, G12 ++, G13. G11 is almost always green; G12, G12+ - red; G12 ++, G13 - purple coolants of the latest generation.

Blue (antifreeze)

The color of antifreeze familiar to a Russian person is blue. It was in blue that the first Soviet silicate coolant "antifreeze" was painted. This was done so that by changing the color of the technical fluid, the car owner could determine the degree of its production, and take care of flushing and replacing the cooler in time.

"Tosol" is produced from a mixture of ethylene glycol, water and inorganic additives: silicates, nitrites, phosphates, amines and their combinations. The service life of inorganic inhibitors is up to 2 years, and the permissible operating temperature limit rarely exceeds 105-108 degrees. Modern internal combustion engines operate at higher temperatures, therefore, with such a coolant, the engine will fail very quickly.

Antifreeze contains 20% distilled water, and everything else is ethylene glycol

Advantages of "antifreeze":

• Low price.

Cons "antifreeze":

• Low boiling point;
• Inorganic additives harmful to surfaces;
• Service life - up to 2 years.

Green (G11)

Hybrid antifreeze G11 is tinted with a green dye of different saturation, less often with yellow or turquoise. It is based on the same ethylene glycol with water and inorganic inhibitors, but less active than in antifreeze.

Silicates and phosphates in the composition of green antifreeze are less dangerous than "Soviet", but this class of coolants is rarely allowed to be used in engines of the latest generations.

G11 antifreeze is usually green, but can be yellow, turquoise, and even blue.

• Phosphate film protects the internal walls of the unit from the corrosive effects of ethylene glycol;
• The boiling point is below operating temperature in car engines older than 10 years.

Cons of G11:

• Phosphate film reduces heat dissipation;
• The protective coating crystallizes and crumbles over time;
• Service life - up to 3 years.

At a price, green antifreezes are not far from antifreeze, so they are often chosen to service domestic cars or old foreign cars.

Red (G12)

G12 carboxylate antifreeze is tinted with red - from pale to rich burgundy. Anti-corrosion additives in them are of an organic nature - they are synthesized from carboxylic acids. Carboxylate inhibitors work pointwise: they do not cover the entire inner surface of an automobile engine with a protective film, but only areas with incipient corrosion. At the same time, the coating is so thin that the coefficient of heat removal to the external environment practically does not decrease.

According to Volkswagen representatives, it is red antifreeze that is considered the best solution for most internal combustion engines.

G12 antifreeze does not protect aluminum radiators from oxidation, however, for copper or brass, red antifreeze is the best choice.

• Point impact on the centers of origin of corrosion;
• No effect of crystallization of the protective film;
• Can be changed no more than once every 5 years.

Cons of G12:

• Additives do not prevent the occurrence of corrosion foci, but only act locally on existing damage to the surface of the unit;
• Carboxylate mixtures are not effective for protecting aluminum radiators.

At the time of its first appearance on the market, G12 red antifreeze and its modification G12 + were considered a major breakthrough in the development of effective automotive coolants. Against the background of examples from previous generations, the disadvantages of carboxylate antifreeze do not look significant.

Purple (G13)

Lobrid antifreezes G12 ++ and G13 are painted purple. They were invented relatively recently - in 2012. The product is based on almost harmless dihydric propylene glycol and organics, supplemented with mineral additives to protect and enhance the effectiveness of the composition.

Organic silicates are used to create a protective film with a porous structure that prevents overheating of the walls of the unit. Carbon inhibitors work pointwise - they accumulate in places where corrosion originates and prevent it from spreading further.

Unlike previous coolants, class G13 antifreezes contain a propylene glycol base.

Pros of G12++ and G13:

• Infinite service life, subject to filling in a new engine;
• Less environmentally hazardous composition of the base and additives;
• High boiling point - from 135 degrees.

Cons of G12++ and G13:

• High price.

In fact, additives of different colors are different generations of coolants. Those invented earlier are more environmentally hazardous and less effective when compared with more modern developments from automotive chemical manufacturers.

What is the difference between coolants of different colors

In the store you can find traditional, hybrid, carboxylate and labrid types of antifreeze. They differ in color, as well as key properties inherent in coolants. The easiest way to explain the differences is by the example of the main properties for which coolants are used for internal combustion engines:

• Corrosion protection. Traditional "antifreeze" practically does not provide it, while red and purple antifreezes, due to additives, are able to maintain the integrity of the components and internal surfaces of the unit for quite a long time.
• Boiling temperature. The higher it is, the better the fluid prevents the engine from overheating during operation. For blue and green trains, it is in the range of 102–110 degrees, which, with an average operating temperature of the engine of a modern foreign car of 105–115 degrees, is considered an extremely low indicator. For comparison: purple coolant boils at 135-137 degrees.
• Freezing temperature. It must be lower than the absolute weather minimum in the region where you will operate the machine. The average for all coolants is -20 .. -40 degrees. But traditional and hybrid ones, when cooled below zero, almost immediately begin to thicken, which complicates the operation of the motor; this does not happen with carboxylate and labrid ones.

Some manufacturers use expensive additives, others are cheap, but the color of the coolant does not depend on the composition, but on the dye

From the foregoing, the conclusion follows: the more recent the development, the more effective it is in all parameters required when assessing the quality of the coolant.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors

Do not mix antifreezes of different colors. Even liquids of the same class, but from different manufacturers, are undesirable to be poured into the engine at the same time. When interacting, the additives level out the action of each other, thereby worsening the properties and reducing the service life of the coolant.

There are exceptions to the rule, but only for emergencies. So, a mixture of antifreeze of any category with G13 is considered suitable for use, but has a weakened anti-corrosion effect. Regardless of the proportions in which the compositions were mixed, the result will be similar in properties to the lower category product. For example, if you mix G11 and G13, the result will be similar to pure green antifreeze.

The only significant reason to experiment with mixtures is when you urgently need to add liquid to the system, but you don’t have the necessary one at hand. At the first opportunity, the “cocktail” must be drained, flushed and filled with new coolant. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that an improvised mixture of technical fluids will not harm the engine in the long run.

Table for adding antifreeze to the cooling system

There are no good and bad antifreezes. Coolants of different colors differ in properties due to the difference in composition. Which cooler to choose depends on the type of engine. Therefore, when choosing a coolant for a car, it is necessary to look first of all at the manufacturer's recommendations for a particular unit.

Hi all! Probably, each of us at least once in our lives had to deal with an unpleasant situation when a radiator leaked or coolant began to leave. The first step is to ensure that it is refueled into the system, however, the coolant of the same grade may not be at hand. Therefore, the question would be quite logical, is it possible to mix antifreeze, and will it not be harmful to the car?

As almost everyone knows, antifreeze or antifreeze is intended to prevent the engine from overheating. Unlike water previously used for these purposes, such a liquid is able not to freeze even at the lowest temperatures. There are various grades of coolants from domestic as well as foreign manufacturers. They can have a different color and differ from each other in chemical composition. That is why many drivers are concerned about the question: if antifreezes are different not only in the color of the liquid, but also in their components, is it possible to mix these varieties with each other.

There is an opinion that antifreeze and antifreeze are synonyms, that is, the words are the same in meaning. This is not true! Tosol is the designation for a low-freezing coolant produced in the Soviet Union. It turns out that antifreeze is just a type (brand) of antifreeze.

Each type of antifreeze is based on ethylene glycol with a certain set of additives. It will depend on them what properties antifreeze will have. Additives with lubricating qualities can be added to one of them, while the other is distinguished by anti-corrosion protection. In addition, antifreezes of different brands differ in freezing point as well as boiling point.

Some motorists believe that if the coolant is produced by the same manufacturer, then mixing it is allowed. However, even within the same manufacturer, antifreeze can be completely different in composition. Not to mention when we use liquids of different colors. In fact, the car will not immediately respond to this, but changes may come in the not too distant future.

Classification of antifreeze by color

As mentioned above, the whole point is not in color, but in different composition and individual components. Red antifreeze will have its own unique qualities and composition. If one coolant uses compounds of inorganic origin, then organics or synthetics may be used in another. It is easy to imagine that a new mixture in a vehicle's cooling system will have a set of characteristics that no one can predict.

Until recently, it was very convenient to classify different types of antifreeze by color. That is, green or blue antifreeze belonged to the so-called "silicate" coolants, while the red coolant was of acidic origin. However, to date, such a gradation will not be fair in all cases. Another antifreeze, yellow, also has a characteristic color due to the presence of a dye in the composition. It is the coloring components that make life easier for the driver, who previously used a specific type of coolant and therefore would prefer to choose it again.

Different grades of coolant

And what can be said about when the coolant is the same color, but differs in different standards? For example, G11 , 12 or others. Basically, they are roughly similar to each other. Almost all types of coolant are ethylene glycol and distilled water. By itself, such a mixture stands out for its destructive effect and can even destroy the metal. In order to protect yourself and your car from such risks, additional additives are used.

Coolant under the G12 brand is usually painted in one of the varieties of red, it can even be pinkish or burgundy. In those parts of the cooling system where foci of corrosion have already begun to manifest themselves, it is able to provide them with a protective effect. It can be operated up to 5 years, it is widely used in cars of imported brands assembled by domestic production.

Model G13 is most often yellowish or orange in color. This is a full-fledged antifreeze based on propylene glycol. It is considered a fairly environmentally friendly coolant, and therefore is somewhat more expensive than its counterparts. It is approved for use in forced and turbocharged power units of sports cars and motorcycles. However, due to the high price, it is rarely used in mass-produced cars in our country.

There is a separate classification of Japanese varieties of antifreeze. In them, each color indicates its freezing temperature. For example, yellow will freeze at minus 20, green can withstand frosts down to -25, and red up to minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Finally, let's stop at one more point. Even if you once filled in pink or another color of antifreeze, but it lost its original color, it means that the liquid has developed its properties. In this case, a replacement is definitely required, and as possible with Korea. Long-term operation of a car with used coolant can be harmful to it. Therefore, always pay attention to the change in color.

The simplest and the first thing that every car owner can do is to refer to the instructions for use and read what the manufacturer of this car recommends to him. It is also useful to know what kind of antifreeze the previous owner refueled if the car changed hands. It is not necessary to mix antifreeze with water - since in this case there is generally a high risk of harm to the engine. Safe and reasonable operation is what will extend the life of any car. Read the blog in subsequent publications to constantly learn something new and useful for yourself. So far for today!

February 18, 2017

What happens if you mix several types of antifreeze of different brands? Is it possible to mix them together at all? What does it threaten? What is the difference between blue antifreeze and red? We will try to cover these and other questions in this article so that the reader has an exhaustive answer and does not engage in "alchemy", while mocking his vehicle.

We must say right away that it is possible to mix antifreeze of different brands if certain conditions are strictly observed. In other cases, you are almost guaranteed to ruin the radiator within a couple of years. In most cases, it will be impossible to recover. Therefore, think three times before subjecting the vehicle to various tests.

What is antifreeze made of?

Let's start with an educational program on the chemical composition. 80% of any coolant is a combination of distilled water and ethylene glycol. This formula is typical for G11 and G12 standards. The remaining 20% ​​(on average) are additives that characterize this or that antifreeze.

Additives - a key aspect of the composition. They are added to eliminate the destructive power of water and ethylene glycol on the metal components of the car's cooling system, especially the radiator walls and tubes. Roughly speaking, there are only 2 types of additives:

• protective - protect pipes and other elements, creating a thin film on the walls of components. Used in TOSOLs and G11 formulations;
• anti-corrosion - eliminate any type of rust during operation, or slow down such processes as much as possible. Such additives are typical for G12 and G12 +.

There are also hybrid additives isolated in a separate G13 composition. They combine the chemical elements of the first and second categories in the correct proportions. That is why this category is considered universal and is suitable for “topping up”, but not in all cases.

Color characteristics

Antifreeze of different colors was originally developed to work with a specific group of metals. At the moment, this is not important, although earlier car manufacturers tried to implement this gradation by offering recommended “dyes” for compounds. At the moment, the categories have the following color:

• G11 - green, blue and variations;
• G12 - yellow and red, poisonous orange;
• G13 - purple.

It's all theory. In practice, many manufacturers color antifreeze as they please, since there is no strict standardization. So G11 has a “scatter” from blue to crimson, G12 can be green, and G13 can even be yellow. The result is confusion and it is increasingly difficult for the car owner to navigate the differences in composition and their purpose.

What happens when you mix different colors?

Putting your hand on your stomach, nothing will happen if you mix the compositions of different manufacturers, although there are certain conditions. Situations are different, including force majeure, so read the ingredients first. If green G11 interferes with green, but from a different manufacturer with the most similar parameters, the engine will not suffer. This also applies to other standards. Only coolant products of the same color and additives may be mixed with each other.

Now about the "traffic light". As mentioned above, the same G11 / 12/13 can have a wide palette of shades. Antifreeze of different colors with an identical formula will interact perfectly with each other. The main headache for motorists is the G13 in purple and yellow. Many are afraid that they are completely different, although this is fundamentally wrong. To begin with, this antifreeze is inherently universal and has a double portion of additives that get along with each other without any special consequences. You will only get a new shade, nothing more.

Is it possible to interfere with different standards?

Here the situation is more interesting. If antifreeze of different colors, but of the same group, is interchangeable, then different products can cause unforeseen reactions in the system, only aggravating the situation of your radiator and other components of the cooling system.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different subgroups? You need to understand that G11 and G12 have completely different additives: the former are aimed at creating a film, the latter at removing rust. It is almost impossible to control the mixing of active components. Yes, the precipitate may not fall out, but the film will significantly reduce the cooling efficiency. This is because green antifreezes reduce the diameter of pipes and other units. The temperature regime drops, as do the characteristics of the cooler. A kind of “blood clot” may even form, which is fraught with the failure of the radiator.

It all depends on the final volume of diluent liquid. If you pour in up to half a liter, then there will be no consequences. But in the future, you need to fill in the "native" cooler.

Consequences from mixing yellow and green

We have already found out whether it is possible to add antifreeze of the same brand and what it threatens, but is it possible to mix red (green) and yellow type antifreeze? And here the consequences will be dire.

Green (aka red and blue) is a coolant based on ethylene glycol and distilled water. The yellow (purple) liquid consists of propylene glycol, and this is a significant difference. Can these antifreezes be mixed? Absolutely not.

Ethylene and propylene are different types of alcohol, albeit a monohydric one. Another thing is that the first is toxic, and in the second case this flaw was removed. Let's add 2 types of additives to G13. We get the following picture:

• we have no idea how alcohols react with each other and how dire the consequences are;
• additives in G13 are designed specifically for propylene glycol, so no one will say how they will behave in a "foreign" element;
• no one will give a confident answer about the compatibility of antifreezes.

Remember that the universal donor is not G13, but G12++. It is written above in detail which antifreezes can be mixed without consequences.

Read the composition of the product very carefully and never save on coolant. Repairing a car will still cost more, especially capital repairs. Not the smartest way to keep money in your wallet.

Results

The confusion in the colors of antifreeze and antifreeze infuriates any motorist. For those 2 years, while the cooler is in operation and the driver does not bother about replacing it, resilient manufacturers come up with new standards and variations of their products, which only plays into the hands of marketers, but not the consumer. For the future, coolant is also not stocked due to the limited shelf life. Try to choose one manufacturer, find an intelligent seller who will explain in detail what the difference between the compositions is. Yes, and learn to read a set of ingredients yourself in order to significantly save on the service in the future.

Good day to all! A rather relevant and interesting topic has ripened, which I propose to discuss in the comments. And we will talk about whether it is possible to mix antifreeze.

Moreover, a large number of questions on this topic are asked by Internet users. I will try to answer the main ones. This will allow you to finally understand the issue of the correct selection and combination of coolants for your car.

Choosing for the motor, or buying and all sorts of other fluids, the driver should always think about how their use will be combined with the car. After all, if the composition does not meet the requirements of the automaker, this can potentially lead to serious and undesirable consequences.

The same goes for antifreeze. Many people think that when mixing different compositions, you can harm the car and the whole . Like it or not, and what you need to know about mixing the coolant, we will find out.

Liquid cooling system

Liquid or water engine cooling systems are incredibly popular and common among automakers. Initially, ordinary water was used for such purposes. The advantage was that it was easy to get even in extreme situations.

At the same time, water as a coolant (coolant) has its drawbacks:

• corrosion begins quickly;
• when using dirty water, it is necessary to flush the system;
• low temperature threshold of freezing;
• rapid boiling;
• active evaporation;
• frequent engine failure;
• the need for constant monitoring of the cooling system;
• a large amount of sediment when using untreated water, etc.

Manufacturers realized that you can’t go far on the water. First, glycerin and alcohol were added to the water. The composition has improved and modernized. As a result, we received special coolants, which are called antifreeze. In the post-Soviet space, the concept of antifreeze is also actively used.

Let's take a look at the classification so that you can further understand whether motorists can mix trains in certain situations. Namely:

• different brands;
• different manufacturers;
• different colors etc.

Some are sure that in no case should you mix antifreeze and antifreeze. Others believe that even if you mix red with green, red with blue, or yellow with any other coolant colors, absolutely nothing terrible will happen. Here we will find out who is right.

A bit of classification

Currently, for automobile engines, and more precisely for their cooling systems, 6 compounds are used:

• antifreeze;
• G11;
• G12;
• G12+;
• G12++;
• G13.

They can be of different companies, of the same color, of various shapes, types, etc. That is, color is not a fundamental criterion here. Therefore, one type of composition can be blue and green, yellow and red, etc.

Let's talk about each composition separately.

• Tosol. An old type of antifreeze developed during Soviet times specifically for Soviet cars as a response to imported antifreeze. It consists of a conventional aqueous solution using complex alcohols. This includes ethylene glycol and special protective additives;
• G11. Traditional coolant based on ethylene glycol, water and additives. As additives, silicates, phosphates, as well as borates, nitrites, etc. are used. They do not differ in long-term service. Main color blue;
• G12. Carboxylate automotive antifreezes, where, in addition to components from G11, carboxylates are added. These are compounds of a fairly effective carboxylic acid. The coolant serves for a long time, the composition is mainly painted red or pink;
• G12+. Hybrid fluid based on water, as well as ethylene glycol, carboxylate, silicate, nitrite and phosphate additives. The composition of the coolant may vary, depending on the manufacturer and its geographical location. Mostly red;
• G12++. So-called hybrid fluids. An organic base and silicates are used. In many ways similar to G12 + antifreeze, but has a longer service life;
• G13. A new type of coolant, where they abandoned ethylene glycol, and replaced it with propylene glycol. Such a component is harmless, which is why it quickly gained popularity. It is most often pink and purple.

But you must understand that any of the antifreezes presented can be painted in completely different colors. It has nothing to do with composition. Color is purely decorative.

Initially, manufacturers wanted to stand out by changing the color of the standard white liquid. But gradually everyone began to use different coloring options. For this, dyes are used.

Mixing issue

If you think that it is perfectly safe to mix red with red, but blue and green car antifreeze should never be combined with each other, do not rush to conclusions.

First of all, I advise you to read the material on choosing the best non-freeze. Here to this article. All cars are recommended to choose only the highest quality compositions. And it’s not so important whether we are talking about antifreezes, or it’s , flushing agent or some for rust. We put quality first. And it will be better if you constantly start using the same antifreeze.

It is better to mix compositions in winter and summer in emergency situations, when there is simply no way to find the original coolant. If you buy a concentrate, then you simply have to mix it with water. But not from the tap, but with a special, purified and distilled.

As you understand, coolants differ in composition and additives used. And many of them can coexist in the same liquid without causing sediment and without gelling the antifreeze.

If you mix coolants that differ in manufacturer and color, no disaster will definitely happen. But without urgent need to experiment is not worth it. In the worst case, the resulting mix will not last as long as you originally expected.

Motorists are interested in the possibility of mixing:

• compositions of the same color;
• mixtures from different companies;
• G11 and G12;
• G12 and G12+;
• G12 and G13;
• Coolant from different companies (for example, Sintek and Felix)
• antifreeze and antifreeze;
• G11 and G12++;
• G12++ and G13;
• red and blue;
• blue and green;
• pink and purple.

The list is endless as there are so many potential combinations.

But you should rely on generally accepted rules. They will be the basis for making a decision regarding the mixing of different coolants in emergency situations.

These rules read as follows:

• do not mix coolants that belong to classes 11 and 12;
• it is allowed to combine G11 with G12 + and even with G13;
• if necessary, you can combine 12 and 12+;
• in the case of a combination of 12 with 12++ or 13, it is better to refuse such a mixture;
• it is not forbidden to combine 12, 12++ and 13 in parallel.

Agree that it is rather difficult to keep such formulas in mind. But sometimes it is better to have the appropriate knowledge in order to avoid mistakes.

Drawing conclusions

Practice clearly proves that drivers can mix coolant from different brands and manufacturers in the tank with their same class and chemical composition. In such situations, a deposit dangerous for the cooling system of an automobile engine is unlikely to form.

A very common question both to my channel (Youtube) and to the blog is the compatibility of coolants. Namely - what will happen if you mix antifreeze? And then there were variations - one manufacturer, but different colors. Same colors but different brands. Different standards, such as G11, G12, G13, etc. In general, I constantly answer these questions, and they constantly ask me them. Therefore, today I want to write this article, in which I will answer everything at once, as there will usually be a video at the end. The information is helpful, so read on…

I would like to note right away that we will also talk about mixing, because despite the different names, these two liquids are also very similar.

What is the same in the compositions?

Well, at the very beginning, I once again want to repeat - the guys, all antifreezes, especially in the G11 and G12 standards, are very similar in their base. What I mean is, 80% of the composition of both red and green and blue antifreeze is the SAME. Usually it is ethylene glycol +. The remaining 20% ​​(and possibly less), these are already additives that characterize this or that behavior, I also have an article about this,.

That is, if you mix different antifreezes, different colors and categories, then they will be 80% similar.

What's different?

The difference, as I said above, is the additives. That is, various additives are added to the same liquid and the desired composition is obtained. It is worth noting that additives in the compositions are needed precisely in order to remove the negative destructive effect of ethylene glycol and water, because this combination is extremely active and can destroy any metal surface, and even more so a tube or radiator wall. And additives hold back this ardor, removing the negative impact.

Roughly characterized, now there are only two types of additives:

• It's protective . They protect tubes and pipes inside, forming a film on their surface that prevents metal parts from collapsing. Mainly used in G11 and our TOSOLs.
• It is anti-corrosion . There is no film formation here, but it turns out that all the work happens when rust begins to appear. These additives block the hearth by simply sealing it. Applicable in G12 and G12+.

In fairness, now there is also a third type - hybrid additives (G13 antifreezes), this is when two protective and anti-corrosion effects are combined at once, that is, they are simply mixed in the right proportion.

About color

The color of antifreeze is more of a distinguishing component. As a rule, now, it does not carry any semantic load. Although many manufacturers, including Volkswagen, tried to introduce color differences in antifreezes, they even had their own recommended colors.

So G11 - almost always was green.

G12 - red (well, or bright orange)

G13 - purple

Although many manufacturers now do not follow the path of Volkswagen and paint antifreeze in the colors they please, this is because there is no strict standardization. So G11 can be either blue or reddish. G12 - green. .

Colors were introduced so that the driver could easily and easily distinguish between antifreezes, but the confusion between manufacturers is now becoming more and more confusing for the average layman.

What happens if you mix green, red, yellow (purple) antifreeze from different manufacturers?

YES actually nothing will happen, you can pour and not even be afraid, if they maintain their standard, then ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WILL HAPPEN. Such questions arise when, say, your branded antifreeze is over, there is nowhere to buy it (for example, you are on a trip), but red ones from another manufacturer are sold.

So G11 green (of one manufacturer) can be mixed with G11 green of another manufacturer. The main thing is that the standards are similar.

As you may have guessed, G12 can be mixed with G12 from another manufacturer.

You can do the same with G13, that is, pour yellow into yellow or purple into purple.

What happens if you mix different colors

We recall what I said above - the characteristic may be one, but the colors may differ. For example, I have personally seen the G11 in both blue and green. THEY CAN BE MIXED, NOTHING WRONG WILL HAPPEN.

Here I would also like to note that our Russian TOSOL is nothing more than G11 antifreeze and can be mixed with green or blue from another manufacturer.

Everything is the same, you can do it with G12. If they have different colors, then this does not mean anything! The characteristics are the same, which means mixing is possible.

G13 is now very much fooling the brain of my readers. The thing is that there are only two primary colors - yellow and purple. And many are simply afraid to mix them. Guys, if there is an inscription of the standard, then there is simply nothing to be afraid of, do not be afraid to mix. Color is just a dye.

Is it possible to mix different characteristics, for exampleG11 andG12

Here you already need to think, although again, nothing terrible, most likely will not happen. BUT you need to understand there is a subgroup of G11 and G12, but there is a completely different option - this is G13.

If we take the first subgroup, then mixing will lead to the fact that in the final liquid there will be additives, both protective and anticorrosive. Although properly you will not be able to control the mixing. Precipitation most likely will not fall out, BUT you need to understand that adding other additives not designed for your car, in particular radiators, can worsen cooling. WHY? YES, because green antifreezes envelop the tubes with a film inside, which prevents the engine and other units from cooling. That is, if you suddenly added antifreeze to red, say green or blue, then be prepared for the fact that the temperature regime may drop. All this will also happen and vice versa, if you add blue or green (G11) to red (G12), then the characteristics of the liquid also fall.

Is it possible to mix yellow and green (red) antifreeze

There is already a slightly different situation, namely the yellow and purple compounds of G13, these are completely different substances. What I mean.

In red and blue (green) versions - the main mass fraction is distilled water + ethylene glycol.

And in the yellow and purple version - the main mass fraction is propylene glycol + distilled water.

THAT is here even the base is different! Ethylene glycol (toxic) was replaced with propylene glycol (safe), these are two monohydric alcohols, they were changed only due to the removal of the toxic component.

Also, G13 contains two types of additives - immediately anti-corrosion + protective.

What happens when you add red or green to yellow antifreeze?

Nothing really good:

• WE just do not know how ethylene glycol and propylene glycol will react with each other, even if they are similar, BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME.
• Additives that are in the yellow (purple) version are designed for propylene glycol, how they behave with ethylene glycol is not known!
• Also, we do not know if additives are compatible in general!

Hence the moral to mixG11 andG12 (G12+) withG13, I wouldn't! There is a high probability that a precipitate may fall, because, nevertheless, this is not the same thing.

But G13 purple and yellow, YOU CAN mix WITHOUT FEARING!

Fake antifreeze

Actually, it seems to me, the topic is fully disclosed! BUT what I want to say in the end - have you ever wondered why some formulations, say branded or serious companies, are expensive, but there are formulations that are very cheap?

The same G13 antifreeze, made under the patronage of Volkswagen (usually purple), can cost 300 rubles per liter

And the yellow one, let's say the same G13, produced in some unknown place and not clear by whom, can cost the same money only for a 5 liter canister.

The whole point here is a “fake”, because a high-quality liquid will not be cheap, and it will also meet all the characteristics and safety requirements, such as.