Cooling fluids for cars: types, groups and colours of antifreeze

On the shelves of car accessories stores, coolants are presented in the form of antifreeze (from the English antifreeze — non-freezing) and antifreeze. There are few differences between them, but they are there.

Antifreeze or antifreeze?

Tosol got its name from the abbreviation of the Soviet Institute of Organic Synthesis Technology. The engineers of this institution have developed an alcohol-containing liquid specially for use in the cooling systems of cars of the Union production. The main component of antifreeze is ethylene glycol, flavored with all kinds of additives (glycerin, phosphates, glucol, etc.) to ensure resistance to low temperatures and work under extreme heat.

Antifreeze in the modern sense does not differ much in composition from antifreeze. This folk term is commonly referred to as "ice-free" for "Zhiguli", "Muscovites" and other heritage of the Soviet automotive industry.

The line between antifreeze and antifreeze is now almost erased. The very name "tosol" comes from Soviet times, when one specific coolant was produced under it.

Antifreeze poured into the domestic market in the "dashing 90s", coupled with the spread of foreign cars. The basis of their composition is monoethylene glycol — a key figure in the formulation of coolants. Depending on the proportions, this component provides the necessary low-temperature properties and anti-corrosion protection of the cooling system of the car. And since its construction consists of different materials (steel, cast iron, aluminium, copper, rubber pipes), different additive packages are used as part of antifreeze, which determine the suitability of antifreeze for certain brands of cars and their operating conditions. Antifreeze protects the cooling system from freezing, corrosion and scale, protects rubber hoses, seals and plastic parts from drying and cracking

Antifreeze brands

The generally accepted classification of antifreeze was introduced by the VAG concern (Volkswagen Audi Gruppe) around the 90s of the twentieth century. The cherished designations G11 and G12 were picked up by third-party manufacturers of coolants and now they are found everywhere. However, it is not necessary to focus on them as the ultimate truth. Systematization from VAG, although it has become the most common, but it often has nothing to do with the engines of other car brands.

The most widespread is the G-marking of antifreeze from the VAG concern.

Classification from VAG involves the breakdown of antifreeze into several G-groups:

G11 group liquids are hybrid mixtures of distilled water and ethylene glycol with the inclusion of a small package of anticorrosive additives of organic or inorganic origin. Antifreeze G11 provides combined protection of the cooling system. They are intended for old cars produced until about 1998, the service life of such liquids is up to 3 years.

Antifreeze G12 is a carboxylate liquid based on water-ethylene glycol with the addition of organic additives. Their key feature is the impact directly on the foci of corrosion. Such antifreezes are suitable for aluminium motors, they do not form scale and plaque in the cooling system. From replacement to replacement, the non-freezing G12 is nursed for up to 5 years. The original antifreeze of this group ceased to be produced in 2004, and they were replaced by "plus" modifications of G12 liquids.

Coolants of the G12+ brand not only form a protective film in the foci of corrosion, but also carry out preventive measures to avoid their appearance. This is achieved thanks to an advanced additive package with corrosion inhibitors based on carboxylic acids. It is necessary to change the liquids of the G12+ group after 5 years or 200 thousand km of mileage.

The hybrid composition of antifreeze standard G12++ includes an organic base and mineral inhibitors. This combination combines the advantages of organic and inorganic additives in one bottle, providing effective point protection of the engine walls from corrosion. The service life of G12++ hybrid coolants has been increased to 10 years.

In antifreeze group G13, ethylene glycol was replaced with less toxic propylene glycol, which decomposes much faster after use. In addition, the properties of the non-freezing G13 allow the use of appropriate fluids in powerful boosted engines, including sports cars. The interval of inter-service replacement of antifreeze G13 has been increased to the same 10 years.

Volkswagen-certified G-groups of antifreeze often have nothing to do with other engines. They are 100% suitable for use in Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Porche, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Ducati cars. Focusing on VAG standards can ruin the conditional engine of a Japanese or American "wheelbarrow". So it is better to focus on the tolerances of coolants directly in the operating instructions of a particular car.

Popular antifreeze

MFK Profi Green 10L

from 310 ₴

Hepu P999-G12 Plus 1.5L

from 262 ₴

Hepu P999-G13 5L

from 936 ₴

Dynamax Cool 12++ Ultra Concentrate 4L

from 599 ₴

Alaska Long Life Red 10L

from 492 ₴

Hepu P900-RM11 1.5L

from 201 ₴

K2 Kuler Conc Pink 5L

from 534 ₴

Hepu P999-G12 Super Plus 1.5L

from 274 ₴

Hyundai Long Life Coolant 4L

from 853 ₴

Hepu P999-GRN 5L

from 795 ₴

Hepu P999-G12 5L

from 850 ₴

Axxis Yellow G12 Coolant 5L

from 343 ₴

XADO Red 12 Plus Ready To Use 10L

from 801 ₴

XADO Red 12 Plus Plus Concentrate 5L

from 665 ₴

Hepu P999-G12 Super Plus 5L

from 998 ₴

VAMP Anti-Freeze G11 Vampovskiy-40 Green Ready Mix 10L

from 496 ₴

VAMP Anti-Freeze G12+ -38 Red Ready Mix 10L

from 506 ₴

Ravenol HJC Concentrate 5L

from 670 ₴

Hyundai Long Life Coolant 2L

from 427 ₴

Liqui Moly Kuhlerfrostschutz KFS 2001 Plus 1L

from 431 ₴

What does the antifreeze colour mean?

There is a misconception among motorists that antifreeze can be mixed by colour. However, the colour does not have a fundamental effect on the specifications: coolants of the same pigmentation often differ in terms of production standards and manufacturer tolerances.

The colour of antifreeze is by no means an indicator of its caste belonging to a particular group of coolants.

The classification of antifreeze by colour was adopted by the same VAG group for the convenience of determining "by eye" a particular group of coolants. Most often, antifreezes with G-marking are painted in the following colours:

• G11 — blue or green;
• G12 — red;
• G12+ and G12++ — pink;
• G13 — yellow or purple.

Dyes in non-freezers are used to detect defects in the connection of pipes and hoses of the cooling system. The bright pigment is clearly visible in ultraviolet light during a service inspection of the engine compartment of the vehicle.

Liquids of the same colour should in no way be associated with each other on the basis of identity. After all, if the manufacturer of the "cooling" for some reason considers it necessary to add a certain colour to the antifreeze, he has the right to do so. The colour of the coolant has now become a simple convention: as long as the antifreeze of one brand can be red, its full analogue from another brand is often green, purple, etc.

What antifreezes can be mixed?

It is not recommended to mix different groups of coolants. It is necessary to top up the expansion tank with a non-freezing of the same group that was filled in initially.

In a very extreme case , the possibility of forced mixing of coolants is allowed according to the following scheme:

Mixing antifreezes of different composition promises a number of problems in the foreseeable future: corrosion of the cooling system, cracking of pipes, formation of sludge and slag, clogging of the radiator of the stove, etc. All due to the fact that different types of additives in non-freezers react with each other unpredictably. In case of forced mixing of different groups of antifreeze, it is best to immediately flush the system and change the liquid to the one recommended by the manufacturer.

Ready-to-use liquids and concentrates

On sale, antifreezes are found in the form of ready-made liquids and concentrates for mixing with water. Non-freezers of the first release form can be poured directly into the expansion tank of the car without additional manipulation. The formulation of concentrates implies diluting the contents with distilled water in certain proportions, which are always indicated by the manufacturer on the package.

Antifreeze concentrates must be mixed with distilled water in the proportions indicated on the package.

Experiments in mixing concentrate with water are not welcome, but are allowed with some reservations. For example, if you dilute the antifreeze with a large amount of water, the freezing point of the antifreeze will decrease. When operating the machine in a mild and relatively warm winter, this is not critical, not to mention the warm season.

Water as a coolant

At the dawn of the automotive industry, water in the cooling systems of the power unit of the car was used everywhere. Now it should be filled exclusively in emergency situations, when there is no possibility to get antifreeze, and the road to the service will be close. Preference should be given to distilled water, in absolutely emergency cases, you can pour ordinary water (not mineral) into the tank. Keep in mind that the water has a low boiling point and leaves scum behind. When using it as a coolant, it is advisable to flush the system as soon as possible according to the recommendations of the machine manufacturer.

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Summing up, the main criterion for choosing a coolant for a car is the standard by which antifreeze is made. Do not get hung up on the colour of the non-freezing and pick it up, focusing on the manufacturer's tolerances of a particular car.