What to Know About Automobile Coolant

Is automobile coolant universal?

NO.
This is a common mistake that many people make when they see that their coolant is running a little bit low. Our first instinct is to look at the color of the coolant, head to the store and get the closest one we can find. If you do this, you could be totally fine and not have a single problem. But this is not the best way to refill your coolant in your vehicle!

Find out what coolant your car takes!

The very best way to figure out which coolant is best for your car is to ask your local mechanic or dealer what they put in your car. This way if you need to top off your coolant in the future, you know exactly what to get. For long-term solutions you will need to have the right coolant for your vehicle which you are best-off just asking your mechanic or dealer. Most coolants come in similar types of colors so do not rely on your color-defining skills to identify what coolant your vehicle uses as the color changes over time! Therefore, if you do not already know what coolant is in your vehicle, you need to ask your trusted mechanic. If you just moved and do not have a trusted mechanic, there are many resources out there to help you find a mechanic! If you are in a pinch and need to top off your coolant for only a short period of time, you can add distilled water until the solution reaches its minimum. Again, this is not a long-term solution. Once you know what coolant your vehicle takes, it is a good idea to keep a jug of it in your trunk so if you ever need to top off on the go, you have all that you need.

Types of Coolant

Type: Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) Contains: Phosphates and Silicates Life: 2 years or 24,000 miles Color: Bright green
Type: Organic Acid Technology (OAT) Contains: Azoles and neutralized organic acids Life: 5 years or 50,000 miles Color: Red or orange
Type: Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) Contains: Mix of IAT and OAT, silicates not phosphates Life: 5 years or 50,000 miles Color: Orange or yellow

Now what do you do?

You know the types of coolant. You know what type of coolant your vehicle takes. Now what do you do with this information? Well, you have a few different options. Number one, if you are new to a mechanic, let them know what coolant your previous mechanic used. Second, if you are a little short on cash and do not feel comfortable doing it yourself you can find a trade school near you and they will often help out free of labor charges! Lastly, you can start to fill your coolant on your own. This is important to know how to do if your engine is in dire need of coolant.

Fill your coolant on your own!

Filling your coolant is not a very technical task but it can be dangerous. The reservoir that the coolant resides in when cooled is pressurized so if you are not following the right safety precautions this can be dangerous. It is recommended that whenever you are working on an engine, you should be wearing safety glasses to protect your tender eyes from any chemicals or stray projectiles. Follow these steps to fill your coolant:

Turn off your engine. If you just finished driving your car, you will need to let it cool off for a while as you will get burned working on a hot engine. Once the car is cooled off ensure that it is in park and pop the hood.
Locate the engine coolant reservoir. This is often a semi-translucent white color and will be located near the radiator with hoses connecting to it. Once located, ensure that the coolant is low. If it is at or above the minimum coolant line then there is no need to add any more.
Loosen the cap. Keep the cap on a little bit as there is often pressure built up within the reservoir that can be dangerous if it is all let out at once. Step back while the pressure releases slowly and once it is done, remove the cap completely.
Add the correct coolant to the reservoir. Do not add coolant to the radiator directly. When adding coolant, use either a diluted coolant on its own or dilute a concentrated coolant by adding distilled water to create a 50/50 solution.
Fill to the cold fill line. It is important that you do not waste coolant and only fill the reservoir until you reach the cold fill line. Once it is filled up, put the cap back on tightly, close the hood, and you are good to go!
Regularly check your fluids. Don't forget to either check your coolant levels yourself or when you get oil changes have them check for you. This will ensure that you are never left with an overheated engine or frozen fluids. You will be prepared for the hottest of days and the coldest of days with just one magical fluid!

Continue maintenance!

In the end, it is extremely important to continue to maintain your car over time. Create a habit of regularly getting your vehicle checked by a trusted mechanic for leaks or potential hazards in your engine. Build a relationship with your mechanic so that they will be willing to help you more and more over the years. Along with this, ask questions! A good mechanic will be one who is not only able but also willing to teach you. If they say something you do not understand, ask to see what they are talking about. A well maintained car will run happily and keep you happy while you are on the go!