Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze solution in the radiator which prevents the car’s engine from overheating to halt a breakdown. There are many types of car coolants available in the market that adds to the confusion of which is the right type of coolant for your car.
Why Coolant is Important for Your Car?
The word “coolant” does not completely define all functions of this fluid in your car. A coolant performs three different functions like lowering the freezing point of the cooling system in winter, raising the boiling point of the cooling system in summer and protecting the engine and cooling system from corrosion and rust all year around. Here is some important information related to choosing the right coolant for your car.
Types of Coolants
As mentioned earlier, the market is full of different types of car coolant with fancy names like Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT), Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) and Organic Acid Technology (OAT).
The Inorganic Additive Technology type of coolant is ideal for older cars. When it comes to newer car models, there is no golden rule to follow. The majority of car manufacturers supply their dealership with different coolant types. These coolants are suited for a specific model and make of car. If you are not sure about which coolant is right for your car, go to the car dealership to get the right answer. In fact, many coolants are branded for specific car models which make it easy to pick the right type of coolant for your car.
Don’t Go by the Car Coolant Color
When selecting a car coolant, don’t get confused by the color of the car coolant. For example, Organic Acid Technology types of coolants are available in a wide-range of colors like purple, red, yellow and orange. Similarly, older OAT coolants are also available in a green color. You need to read what the bottle of the coolant says and then determine whether it is the right coolant for your car.
Check the Car Owner’s Manual
The car owner’s manual is one of the most reliable sources of information about fluid types to be used in your car. Once you know the right type of coolant, you can either use the OEM brand or aftermarket coolant recommended for your car model. You should always keep a note of the type of coolant used in the maintenance record and ensure the right coolant level in the radiator.
If you are opting for factory-recommended coolant at any point, make sure you completely drain the old coolant before filling the radiator with new coolant. The coolant plays an important role in keeping your car’s engine in good health. If you ignore the coolant level and use the wrong coolant type, you will be required to spend more money on unnecessary repairs and maintenance.
Modern cars don’t need frequent coolant changes but you need to make sure the car radiator is filled with right amount and right type of coolant at all times.
