Can I mix different colors of antifreeze? Antifreeze red, green, blue - what's the difference?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The design of each car provides a cooling system. It serves to remove the heat generated during engine operation to the outside. In winter, the operation of the cooling system contributes to the heating of the passenger compartment. Today we will consider whether it is possible to mix antifreeze of different colors, and also find out the differences between liquids by shades.

Characteristic

First of all, we note that any coolant, be it foreign or Russian production, is colorless. This factor does not affect the quality in any way. “But why are they multi-colored then?” - you ask. Which antifreeze to choose - red, green, blue? What is the difference? Manufacturers classify their products in this way. Any liquid is distinguished by the presence of components that prevent it from freezing at low temperatures. This figure can range from minus 15 to minus 40 degrees Celsius. We'll look at the differences below.

What's the difference

Manufacturers in different colorsmark antifreeze - red, green, blue. What's the difference?

Red has a high crystallization threshold. It does not freeze at temperatures up to minus 40 degrees. At the same time, it has a high service life - up to five years. The next one is green. These antifreezes freeze at minus 25 degrees Celsius. Their service life is three years. And the last category is blue (aka "antifreeze"). Serves the least - 1-2 years. But the temperature threshold of freezing is one of the highest and is minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Groups

Thus, manufacturers refer each color to a certain class. There are several of them:

• G11.
• G12.
• G13.

Each group has its own shade. Below we will look at antifreeze by color and find out the features of each category.

Green

This antifreeze belongs to the first group. In its composition, it has chemical and organic additives. The basis, like everyone else, is ethylene glycol. Also, green antifreeze contains silicates and a small percentage of carboxylic acid. This mixture, as it were, “envelops” all the insides of the cooling system with a film and actively fights corrosion pockets.

Among the advantages of using such antifreeze, it is worth noting the high anti-corrosion properties. Thanks to the film, the system serves for a long time and does not rust in different operating modes. Among the shortcomings is the low service life, which is three years. It is also necessary to note the low heat dissipation, which is prevented by the same film. At the end of its life, antifreeze begins to form deposits in the cooling system. If it is not replaced in time, it can clog small channels in the engine.

Red

This modification (G12) is more advanced.

Here in the composition - organic additives and carboxylic acid. This mixture does not form films inside the channels, which improves heat transfer. It also localizes rust due to the action of carboxylic acid. Over time, red antifreeze does not precipitate. On sale is much more common than green. Among the shortcomings, it should be noted that they do not protect aluminum radiators from oxidation. But if you have copper or brass, red antifreeze is the best choice.

Purple

Few of us have seen them live, but such tools also exist. They appeared relatively recently - in 2012. They belong to the 13th group. Purple is a lobrid antifreeze that does not contain ethylene glycol. It is believed to be highly poisonous. But how does it provide heat dissipation if the main composition is without ethylene glycol? Instead, manufacturers use more environmentally friendly, propylene glycol. It is less toxic and environmentally friendly. As for other components, violet antifreeze contains silicates and carboxylic acid, already known to us as an anti-corrosion agent in the previous groups.

Blue

This is known to allus antifreeze, which appeared in the distant 70s of the last century. It contains 20 percent distilled water. Everything else is ethylene glycol. In view of this proportion, antifreeze has a temperature threshold of up to minus 30 degrees Celsius. By the way, all other "colored" analogues include only 5 percent distilled water.

Therefore, antifreeze often boils. Already at 110 degrees it becomes ineffective. And given that some engines of foreign cars have an operating temperature of about "hundreds", then using this tool in them is simply dangerous. This will definitely overheat the engine. Therefore, antifreeze is only suitable for domestic cars, no more. And it has a lifespan of up to two years. Over the years, its heat dissipation properties decrease. The same red antifreeze “nourishes” five years without any problems. But in terms of cost, it is 50-80 percent more expensive.

Can I mix different colors of antifreeze?

So, imagine the situation: when you wake up, you go to the garage and check the coolant level. You open the lid, and it is at a minimum. What to do? Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors? It is absolutely impossible to do this.

And even if the color of antifreeze is the same. The properties of each manufacturer may vary significantly. Why can't you mix antifreeze of different colors? Such an action can disrupt the composition and change the proportion of additives. Because of this, at the operating temperature of the engine, the fluid will foam. In this case, the heat sink will be minimal, and if you do not notice the problem in time (which happens in 90 percent of cases), you can easily overheat the engine. No need to experiment and wonder "what kind of antifreeze can be mixed." The answer is the same - you can't, even if the colors are the same.

Dilute properly

What to do if the level in the tank has dropped to a minimum? Buying a canister of new antifreeze is expensive, taking it in a small eggplant “for topping up” is deadly for the engine. But since all antifreezes contain distilled water, we will dilute it with it. The proportion should not exceed half. That is, 50 percent ethylene glycol - 50 percent distilled water. This is ideal if you need to add a small amount of liquid to the tank. As a rule, it disappears from it over time. What happens if you mix antifreeze with water? Its presence does not change the composition and properties of the coolant. The balance of additives is not disturbed, the temperature threshold does not increase. However, if you fill in more than a liter of water, on the eve of winter, you need to make a complete replacement of the coolant. In large proportions, such a mixture freezes quickly. This must be taken into account. If you added no more than 300 milliliters of distilled water to the tank, you can do without replacing antifreeze in winter.

Other hazards

Now we know the answer to the question "is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors." To do this, use only distilled water. About any liquids "from the tap" should not be out of the question. It will not only worsen the properties of antifreeze, but also at the firstboiling (which will happen after 20 minutes of operation of such an engine) will develop scale.

It is very difficult to eliminate it. The process is accompanied by regular flushing and dismantling of the radiator. In the worst cases, scale clogs small channels. Never use tap water. Only distilled.

Conclusion

So, we found out whether it is possible to mix antifreeze of different colors and what are the differences between such liquids. When buying a new coolant, remember that any color is the choice of the manufacturer. Sometimes the composition of liquids of the same color can differ significantly. Look carefully at the group to which the product belongs. Also consider the brand of your car. If this is a foreign car, you should not pour antifreeze into it, no matter how expensive it is. And to maintain the coolant level, keep a can of distilled water handy.