Does it matter what color coolant you put in your car?
The truth is, color is not a reliable predictor for what type of coolant you have. For example, OAT coolants are usually orange, yellow, red or purple. Then the older IAT coolant is green. Coolants that manufacturers sell can confuse matters even more, like Honda’s blue coolant.
Can I use any color of coolant?
Prestone is yellow, but many other coolant manufacturers use different colours. “These days, there’s no real reason for a coolant manufacturer to use a certain colour, so it’s not easy for you to know what chemicals are in the coolant just by seeing whether it’s blue, green, yellow or orange.
Is blue coolant universal?
Most conventional green or blue coolants use an inorganic (IAT) technology to prevent corrosion, that is, they are ethylene glycol or propylene glycol based. Several factors make them universal, most notably organic-acid technology (OAT), a uniquely concentrated single-component, multi-metal corrosion inhibitor.
What type of coolant is blue coolant?
The Colors of Coolant
| TYPE | INHIBITOR TECHNOLOGY | COLOR |
|---|---|---|
| OAT (Organic Acid Technology) | Organic Acids | ORANGE |
| HOAT (Hybrid OAT) | Silicates & Organic Acids | YELLOW |
| HOAT (Hybrid OAT, Phosphate-free) | NAP Free | TURQUOISE |
| P-HOAT (Phosphated HOAT) | Phosphates & Organic Acids | PINK / BLUE |
What if I put the wrong coolant in my car?
Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages; this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator. Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket.
Can I mix pink and blue coolant?
Part of this also includes making sure that you have enough antifreeze in your car. The last thing you want is for your engine to overheat. These days you can actually get yellow antifreeze, blue antifreeze, pink antifreeze and more. The fact is, mixing these liquids is not safe.
Can you mix universal coolant with blue coolant?
Even so, universal coolants are formulated to mix with virtually any coolant. The makers of these product say their antifreeze can be safely used in any year, make or model of vehicle. You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever.
Is there a difference between green and blue coolant?
Both coolants will work equally as well in your Nissan, so in terms of a performance benefit there really isn’t a difference. We personally would probably use Nissan Green as it comes in concentrated form (makes it a bit cheaper) and feel that changing the coolant more regularly is better for preventative maintenance.
How often should you change the coolant in your car?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FLUSH THE COOLANT? Depending on the vehicle and the coolant, the average time between flushes is two years or 30,000 miles for silicated coolants and up to five years or 100,000 miles for an extended drain coolant.
What color is universal coolant?
green
Traditional North American “green” antifreeze, the original “universal” formula that everybody used until the introduction of today’s extended-life coolants.
Can you top up coolant with different brand?
Yes. Prestone’s Coolant/Antifreeze is guaranteed to be compatible with all cars, vans or light trucks. Thanks to its unique and patented formula, Prestone Coolant/Antifreeze remains the only coolant on the market that can be mixed with another product within the cooling system without causing damage.
What happens if you put the wrong color coolant in your car?
What are the names of the different colors of coolant?
Colors include blue, yellow, green, red, pink, turquoise, orange and purple.
What does it mean when your car says low coolant?
It may also say “low coolant” depending on the vehicle. If the light comes on, this means that there is a serious issue with your car that you need to get looked at. The consequences of low coolant can seriously hurt your engine and overheat your car.
What should I look for before top off my coolant?
Before you top off your coolant, inspect your current coolant for any unusual coloring or contaminants. Coolant comes in a range of colors, so it’s normal for it to be red, blue, yellow or green. However, if your coolant is colorless, rust-colored, has particles or is oily or sludgy, you’ll want to have it inspected by your local mechanic.
Is it safe to mix different types of coolant?
These days different brands use different colours for coolant and it doesn’t necessarily tell you all that much about what’s in your car, so using a product like Prestone which is guaranteed to mix with any colour of coolant/antifreeze is the safe way to top up.