Antifreeze is a liquid that freezes at extremely low temperatures. It is widely used for cooling automobile engines. For many years, a composition called TOSOL has been used on the territory of Russia. And even now, many motorists in a conversation call all antifreezes nothing more than TOSOL. Nowadays, two types of antifreeze are used to cool engines. One of them is made on the basis of salts, the other - on an acid basis. The colors of the liquids do not affect the classification in any way! In professional circles, antifreezes of different classifications are labeled as follows: G11 and G12. What antifreeze to choose? It depends on the materials that were used in the process of creating the engine cooling system of a particular car.

Why can't you mix antifreezes of different classifications?

Every experienced auto mechanic will tell you not to mix antifreeze of two different classifications. However, almost 79% of motorists have a different opinion: you can mix antifreezes, and there is nothing wrong with that. It's a delusion. Even in liquids of the same color, but opposite classifications, its own additive package. In fact, you CAN MIX antifreezes of different colors and different manufacturers, if they are of the same classification! It is important to remember that G11 antifreeze is mixed ONLY with the same analogue marked G11! It's the same with antifreeze labeled G12!

What happens if you mix G11 and G12 antifreezes?

In the process of mixing and repeated heating-cooling, this liquid will behave completely unpredictably. Whether the seals will corrode, whether it will foam, whether it will cause corrosion of aluminum - only God knows ... and, of course, the daredevils who put up such experiments. Based on the foregoing, we conclude: you can only mix antifreezes of one class, and it doesn’t matter what color they are.

What to do if you accidentally filled in antifreeze of a different classification?

It is best not to tempt fate and contact a car service for a complete replacement. Mixing different grades of antifreeze can result in flaking deposits that clog radiators and engine cooling systems, and shorten fluid life. In addition, such a mixture completely loses its anti-corrosion properties. Do you need it?

Myths about the color of antifreeze

Many motorists have a misconception about the color of antifreeze. The vast majority of car owners are sure that the color of antifreeze and its quality are two things that are inextricably linked. The most common myth goes like this:

• red is the best, its service life is 5 years;
• green - medium, its service life is 3 years;
• blue is the simplest and lasts a maximum of 1-2 years.

This is not true.

There is also an incorrect statement that all antifreezes of the same shade are the same, and mixing is allowed between them. Often, car owners buy one or another antifreeze of exactly the same color that was originally filled in the car. The entrepreneurial spirit of manufacturing companies knows no bounds. To expand their product range, they produce liquids of various colors and shades: red, blue, green and even yellow. Although in fact they can all have the same composition. Conversely, two liquids of the same color from different manufacturers may have significant differences in composition and should never be mixed.

Blue antifreeze glows under a UV lamp. Why is this needed?

Let's open the veil of secrecy. In fact, any antifreeze, exactly the same as TOSOL, is initially colorless. In production, these fluids are painted in different colors to give individuality, as well as to improve their visibility in the expansion tank. The blue dye added to antifreeze is fluorescent (glows under a UV lamp). This is necessary to quickly find leaks. At the same time, the amount of dye added to the liquid is minimized - only a few grams per ton.

Antifreeze is the general name for technical automotive fluids that are used to cool internal combustion engines. The boiling point of an ethylene glycol or propylene glycol based combination mixture is higher than the average operating temperature inside the motor, and the freezing point is below freezing. Due to this difference, the engine does not boil and starts without problems in conditions of negative temperatures, for example, in winter at -10..-40 degrees Celsius. The purpose is clear, it is more difficult to figure out what is the difference between red, green and blue antifreeze. To understand this, you will have to study the composition, the main properties of the components and understand the principle of operation of coolants.

The composition and properties of the coolant

The composition of antifreezes of different colors is practically the same. The basis for mixtures of this type is the same - dihydric alcohol and water. In addition to them, manufacturers add anti-corrosion, anti-cavitation, anti-foam and fluorescent additives to coolants.

Pure dihydric alcohol - ethylene glycol, propylene glycol - freezes at a temperature of -12.3 degrees. When mixed with water, whose freezing point is 0 degrees, a eutectic occurs that changes the properties of the finished product. Therefore, the crystallization temperature of the finished antifreeze is much lower than that of its components - up to -75 degrees.

Antifreezes are based on a water-glycol mixture, which ensures their resistance at low temperatures.

A pure mixture of alcohol and water is quite active. Without specialized synthetic and organic additives, such a coolant will destroy the engine from the inside in a matter of months. To prevent this from happening, manufacturers add:

• corrosion inhibitors;
• anti-cavitation substances;
• Anti-foam components;
• Fluorescent dyes.

Corrosion inhibitors form a thin protective film on the inner surface of the engine and its components, which prevents active alcohol from destroying the part. Anti-cavitation and anti-foam components minimize the destructive effect of local boiling on the walls of the unit. Fluorescent paint is needed to detect a possible coolant leak.

What color is antifreeze

Today the market offers dozens of types of coolants. It was in the Soviet years that car owners did not know other options, except for "antifreeze", now when you look at the counter of a car dealership, it's easy to get confused. To simplify the selection process among the mass of proposals, manufacturers have introduced a unified coolant classification system: TL 774. Initially, the classification was born within the Volkswagen concern, but quickly spread to the entire global market for the segment's products.

According to TL 774, the following classes of antifreezes are distinguished: G11, G12, G12 +, G12 ++, G13. G11 is almost always green; G12, G12+ - red; G12 ++, G13 - purple coolants of the latest generation.

Blue (antifreeze)

The color of antifreeze familiar to a Russian person is blue. It was in blue that the first Soviet silicate coolant "antifreeze" was painted. This was done so that by changing the color of the technical fluid, the car owner could determine the degree of its production, and take care of flushing and replacing the cooler in time.

"Tosol" is produced from a mixture of ethylene glycol, water and inorganic additives: silicates, nitrites, phosphates, amines and their combinations. The service life of inorganic inhibitors is up to 2 years, and the permissible operating temperature limit rarely exceeds 105-108 degrees. Modern internal combustion engines operate at higher temperatures, therefore, with such a coolant, the engine will fail very quickly.

Antifreeze contains 20% distilled water, and everything else is ethylene glycol

Advantages of "antifreeze":

• Low price.

Cons "antifreeze":

• Low boiling point;
• Inorganic additives harmful to surfaces;
• Service life - up to 2 years.

Green (G11)

Hybrid antifreeze G11 is tinted with a green dye of different saturation, less often with yellow or turquoise. It is based on the same ethylene glycol with water and inorganic inhibitors, but less active than in antifreeze.

Silicates and phosphates in the composition of green antifreeze are less dangerous than "Soviet", but this class of coolants is rarely allowed to be used in engines of the latest generations.

G11 antifreeze is usually green, but can be yellow, turquoise, and even blue.

• Phosphate film protects the internal walls of the unit from the corrosive effects of ethylene glycol;
• The boiling point is below operating temperature in car engines older than 10 years.

Cons of G11:

• Phosphate film reduces heat dissipation;
• The protective coating crystallizes and crumbles over time;
• Service life - up to 3 years.

At a price, green antifreezes are not far from antifreeze, so they are often chosen to service domestic cars or old foreign cars.

Red (G12)

G12 carboxylate antifreeze is tinted with red - from pale to rich burgundy. Anti-corrosion additives in them are of an organic nature - they are synthesized from carboxylic acids. Carboxylate inhibitors work pointwise: they do not cover the entire inner surface of an automobile engine with a protective film, but only areas with incipient corrosion. At the same time, the coating is so thin that the coefficient of heat removal to the external environment practically does not decrease.

According to Volkswagen representatives, it is red antifreeze that is considered the best solution for most internal combustion engines.

G12 antifreeze does not protect aluminum radiators from oxidation, however, for copper or brass, red antifreeze is the best choice.

• Point impact on the centers of origin of corrosion;
• No effect of crystallization of the protective film;
• Can be changed no more than once every 5 years.

Cons of G12:

• Additives do not prevent the occurrence of corrosion foci, but only act locally on existing damage to the surface of the unit;
• Carboxylate mixtures are not effective for protecting aluminum radiators.

At the time of its first appearance on the market, G12 red antifreeze and its modification G12 + were considered a major breakthrough in the development of effective automotive coolants. Against the background of examples from previous generations, the disadvantages of carboxylate antifreeze do not look significant.

Purple (G13)

Lobrid antifreezes G12 ++ and G13 are painted purple. They were invented relatively recently - in 2012. The product is based on almost harmless dihydric propylene glycol and organics, supplemented with mineral additives to protect and enhance the effectiveness of the composition.

Organic silicates are used to create a protective film with a porous structure that prevents overheating of the walls of the unit. Carbon inhibitors work pointwise - they accumulate in places where corrosion originates and prevent it from spreading further.

Unlike previous coolants, class G13 antifreezes contain a propylene glycol base.

Pros of G12++ and G13:

• Infinite service life, subject to filling in a new engine;
• Less environmentally hazardous composition of the base and additives;
• High boiling point - from 135 degrees.

Cons of G12++ and G13:

• High price.

In fact, additives of different colors are different generations of coolants. Those invented earlier are more environmentally hazardous and less effective when compared with more modern developments from automotive chemical manufacturers.

What is the difference between coolants of different colors

In the store you can find traditional, hybrid, carboxylate and labrid types of antifreeze. They differ in color, as well as key properties inherent in coolants. The easiest way to explain the differences is by the example of the main properties for which coolants are used for internal combustion engines:

• Corrosion protection. Traditional "antifreeze" practically does not provide it, while red and purple antifreezes, due to additives, are able to maintain the integrity of the components and internal surfaces of the unit for quite a long time.
• Boiling temperature. The higher it is, the better the fluid prevents the engine from overheating during operation. For blue and green trains, it is in the range of 102–110 degrees, which, with an average operating temperature of the engine of a modern foreign car of 105–115 degrees, is considered an extremely low indicator. For comparison: purple coolant boils at 135-137 degrees.
• Freezing temperature. It must be lower than the absolute weather minimum in the region where you will operate the machine. The average for all coolants is -20 .. -40 degrees. But traditional and hybrid ones, when cooled below zero, almost immediately begin to thicken, which complicates the operation of the motor; this does not happen with carboxylate and labrid ones.

Some manufacturers use expensive additives, others are cheap, but the color of the coolant does not depend on the composition, but on the dye

From the foregoing, the conclusion follows: the more recent the development, the more effective it is in all parameters required when assessing the quality of the coolant.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors

Do not mix antifreezes of different colors. Even liquids of the same class, but from different manufacturers, are undesirable to be poured into the engine at the same time. When interacting, the additives level out the action of each other, thereby worsening the properties and reducing the service life of the coolant.

There are exceptions to the rule, but only for emergencies. So, a mixture of antifreeze of any category with G13 is considered suitable for use, but has a weakened anti-corrosion effect. Regardless of the proportions in which the compositions were mixed, the result will be similar in properties to the lower category product. For example, if you mix G11 and G13, the result will be similar to pure green antifreeze.

The only significant reason to experiment with mixtures is when you urgently need to add liquid to the system, but you don’t have the necessary one at hand. At the first opportunity, the “cocktail” must be drained, flushed and filled with new coolant. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that an improvised mixture of technical fluids will not harm the engine in the long run.

Table for adding antifreeze to the cooling system

There are no good and bad antifreezes. Coolants of different colors differ in properties due to the difference in composition. Which cooler to choose depends on the type of engine. Therefore, when choosing a coolant for a car, it is necessary to look first of all at the manufacturer's recommendations for a particular unit.

The article will also focus on antifreeze, which, despite a different name, has a number of common characteristics with antifreeze. Once again, I would like to say that all antifreezes, whether it be G11 or G12, are very similar in their basic part. 75 percent, the composition of all products is the same, that is, there is ethylene glycol and a “distillant” both there and there. The remaining 25 percent, in some cases even less, are just additives that behave differently. Therefore, even if you mix a variety of antifreezes, they will all be at least 75% similar.

What are the differences?

As mentioned above, the difference lies in the additives used. It is worth noting that the use of additives is mandatory, otherwise the composition of one water and ethylene glycol will lead to destructive actions. This combination is incredibly active and can destroy even the densest metal surface. Additives also allow you to contain the "ardor" and remove the negative impact as much as possible.

If, in general, we consider all the additives that are now widely used, then we can make up only two groups:

• 1. Protective. They protect pipes and tubes from the inside, forming a kind of film that does not allow metal parts to collapse. They are mainly used in the G11 brand and in most domestic antifreezes.
• 2. Anti-corrosion. Such additives do not form a film, their work is invisible until rust appears. Such additives can block the center of decay by simply closing it. Scope of use in class G12 and G12+.
• 3. Hybrid. From the name it is clear that their functions include two main tasks. That is, when two tasks are mixed at once - protection and resistance to corrosion.

Colors

The color scheme is used more for distinctive purposes. As a rule, today, differences in color do not characterize the difference in characteristics. Although at the same time, many concerns are still trying to separate antifreeze only by color.

The popular G11 has always been green, G12 - red or bright orange, G13 - purple. Now there is no certain standardization of colors, so it is increasingly common that the same G11 can be blue, G12 green, and G13 even yellow.

What happens if you mix antifreezes of different colors from different manufacturers?

Yes, in fact, nothing will happen, you can pour it without worrying, the main thing is that they maintain their standard. That is, you can mix green G11 with the same blue or green G11, but from another manufacturer. The main thing is that the standards match between the products.

What happens if you mix different colors?

The same principle applies here, the main thing is that the standards and characteristics match, and the color of the same G12 can be at least green or orange, it does not play a role. The new class, like G13, raises more questions, there is nothing wrong with it. There are two primary colors, but they do not play any role if G13 is marked on the package, no matter what color it is.

Is it possible to mix G11 and G12?

If you figure it out, but in fact nothing terrible will happen if you mix G11 and G12, but the situation is completely different with G13. If we take the first type, the subgroup, then mixing will lead to the formation of a liquid in which two functions will be combined, but it is almost impossible to control the mixing, so most likely there will be no sediment. But, it is also worth understanding that adding, say, other additives such as protective ones can significantly worsen cooling. This happens because green antifreeze completely envelops the tubes and pipes, thereby preventing the motor from cooling. For example, you poured green or blue into red antifreeze, then the temperature threshold will drop. In the same way, if you mix green and red on the contrary, then the characteristics of the liquid itself fall. Often when a small volume is mixed or added, for example, 0.5 -1.0 liters. you won’t even feel the result as such. You will ride as before and not feel any problems.

Can G13 be mixed with G11 and G12?

Here things are completely different. The G13 class itself is characterized by other substances. For example, in the first two types, the bulk of the composition is water and ethylene glycol, then in G13 it is the proportion of propylene glycol plus distilled water. That is, you understand that even the base itself has a completely different composition. Ethylene glycol has been replaced with safer propylene glycol. These are two alcohols, and monohydric ones, they were changed in order to remove only the toxic effect itself.

Conclusion

As you can see, the topic is fully disclosed, the main answer to the question posed is given. You can mix different colors of the same class of antifreeze, the main thing is that the characteristics match. You can also mix G11 and G12, nothing bad will come of it, rather, even no result or effect will happen. But it’s better not to mix G11, G12 with G13, because it is not known how two different alcohols will behave, although they are similar in many ways. In addition, the additives are also different, and what is the relationship between them, the same is not known.

Also, when buying, you should focus on the cost, the price of a quality product will not be lower than 200 -300 rubles. per litre. At the moment, there are a lot of fakes that are offered at very attractive prices, but they were produced in artisanal conditions, there is no guarantee that the standards were met. As a rule, good antifreezes "boil" only from 100 degrees, when "boiling" they will not burn and will not lose their characteristics. Cheap options do not guarantee you compliance with these standards.

Antifreeze is an important working fluid whose main function is engine cooling and protection. This liquid does not freeze at low temperatures and has a high boiling and freezing threshold, which protects the internal combustion engine from overheating and damage due to volume changes during boiling. The additives that make up the antifreeze have many properties that protect the parts of the cooling system from corrosion and reduce their wear.

The basis of any is a glycol base (propylene glycol or ethylene glycol), its mass fraction is on average 90%. 3-5% of the total volume of the concentrated liquid is distilled water, 5-7% - special additives.

Each country that produces cooling system fluids has its own classification, but to avoid confusion, the following classifications are generally applied:

• G11, G12, G13;
• by colors (green, blue, yellow, purple, red).

Reference. Color classification does not guarantee the identity of the composition and the possibility of mixing, since there are no generally accepted world standards for colors, and the manufacturer has the right to paint antifreeze in any color.

Groups G11, G12 and G13

The most common classification of cooling compounds was the classification developed by the VAG concern.

Composition gradation developed by Volkswagen:

G11- coolants created according to traditional, but outdated at the moment, technology. The composition of anti-corrosion additives includes a variety of inorganic compounds in various combinations (silicates, nitrates, borates, phosphates, nitrites, amines).

Silicate additives form a special protective layer on the inner surface of the cooling system, comparable in thickness to the scale on the kettle. The thickness of the layer reduces heat transfer, reducing the cooling effect.

Under the constant influence of significant temperature changes, vibrations and time, the additive layer is destroyed and begins to crumble, leading to a deterioration in the circulation of the coolant and causing other damage. To avoid a detrimental effect, silicate antifreeze should be changed at least every 2 years.

G12- antifreeze, which includes organic additives (carboxylic acids). A feature of carboxylate additives is that a protective layer is not formed on the system surfaces, and the additives form the thinnest protective layer less than a micron thick only in places of damage, including corrosion.

Its advantages:

• high degree of heat transfer;
• the absence of a layer on the inner surface, which eliminates clogging and other destruction of various components and parts of the car;
• extended service life (3-5 years), and up to 5 years you can use such a liquid with a complete cleaning of the system before filling it and using a ready-made antifreeze solution.

The main, but significant disadvantage of the carboxylate mixture is that the additives included in its composition begin their work only when corrosion processes appear, but do not have preventive qualities.

To eliminate this disadvantage, a G12 + hybrid antifreeze was created, which combined the positive characteristics of silicate and carboxylate mixtures through the use of organic and inorganic additives.

In 2008, a new class appeared - 12G ++ (lobrid antifreezes), the organic basis of which includes a small number of inorganic additives.

G13- environmentally friendly coolants based on propylene glycol, which, unlike poisonous ethylene glycol, is harmless to both humans and the environment. Its only difference from G12++ is its environmental friendliness, the technical parameters are identical.

Green

Green coolants contain inorganic additives. Such antifreeze belongs to the class G11. The service life of such cooling solutions is not more than 2 years. Has a low price.

Recommended for use on old cars, due to the thickness of the protective layer, which prevents the formation of microcracks and leaks, in cooling systems with aluminum or aluminum alloy radiators.

Red

Red antifreeze belongs to the G12 class, including G12+ and G12++. It has a service life of at least 3 years, depending on the composition and preparation of the system before filling. It is preferable to use in systems whose radiators are copper or brass.

Blue

Blue coolants belong to the G11 class, they are often called Antifreeze. Mainly used in cooling systems of old Russian cars.

Violet

Purple antifreeze, like pink, belongs to the class G12 ++ or G13. It contains a small number of inorganic (mineral) additives. They have high environmental safety.

When pouring lobrid purple antifreeze into a new engine, it has a virtually unlimited life. Used on modern cars.

Is it possible to mix green, red and blue antifreeze with each other

In many cases, the color of an internal combustion engine cooling solution reflects its composition and properties. You can mix antifreezes of different shades only if they belong to the same class. Otherwise, chemical reactions may occur, which will sooner or later affect the condition of the car.

What happens if you mix the group G11 and G12

Mixing different types of antifreeze can cause problems over time.

The main consequences of mixing silicate and carboxylate classes:

• corrosion of the internal surfaces of the cooling system;
• foaming of the working fluid;
• engine overheating;
• increase in fuel consumption up to 5%;
• blocking of internal combustion engine channels;
• clogging of radiators and other components of the cooling system;
• pump replacement;
• reduction in the service life of engine oil;
• other malfunctions.

Only in case of emergency, you can add different types.

In doing so, the following factors must be taken into account:

• it is necessary to mix cooling solutions with the same base (ethylene glycol only with ethylene glycol);
• silicate-free mixtures are strictly forbidden to be mixed with others;
• it is necessary to find an antifreeze suitable for the car and use it only when topping up and replacing the working fluid in the cooling system.

If it is necessary to add a small amount of coolant and there is no suitable one, it is preferable to add distilled water, which will slightly reduce the cooling and protective properties, but will not cause chemical reactions that are dangerous for the car, as in the case of mixing silicate and carboxylate compounds.

How to check antifreeze compatibility

To check the compatibility of antifreezes, it is necessary to carefully study the composition, since not all manufacturers adhere to color or class classifications (G11, G12, G13), in some cases they may not even indicate.

Table 1. Compatibility when topping up.

Topping fluid type	Type of antifreeze in the cooling system
	G11	G12	G12+	G12++	G13
		Mixing prohibited
	Mixing prohibited

Topping up liquids of various classes is only permissible for operation for a short period of time, after which it is necessary to perform a complete replacement with flushing of the cooling system.

Properly selected antifreeze in accordance with the type of cooling system, the composition of the radiator and the condition of the car, its timely replacement will ensure the safety of the cooling system, protect the engine from overheating and help avoid many other unpleasant situations.

Once upon a time, the separation by color of coolants was due to the ease of selection and acquisition. That is, green for some purposes, and red for others. Today, the spectrum of colors is completely unpredictable, and therefore it is difficult to navigate by the color of the liquid. As a result, the question arises whether it is possible to mix antifreeze of different colors and brands, to which we will answer in detail and with an analysis of different situations.

1 Existing standards and possible colors

To date, there is a division into only three classes of antifreeze: G11, G12 and G13. In addition, there are additional standards such as G12+ and G12++. Each type has certain properties that are provided by additives, but basically they have the same composition - distilled water and alcohol. The only difference is that G11 and G12 use ethylene glycol, while G13 uses propylene glycol. In fact, in the first case, a toxic base element is used, the negative effect of which on the metal is eliminated by the addition of additives, and in the second, the base is non-toxic, and therefore the third type is considered universal, especially considering the full package of additives.

A way to find out why CHECK is on!

Additives are used, as mentioned above, to prevent the destruction of the radiator and the entire engine cooling system. So, in G11, components are added that create a film on the inner surface of the tank and tubes, although it somewhat reduces the effectiveness of antifreeze, reducing thermal conductivity. However, corrosion protection is created quite reliable. As for G12, the additives in this formulation bind rust pockets, stopping further corrosion. In the universal type, there is no such negative effect on the cooling system, and therefore the additives simply provide frost resistance and other positive effects - the same protective and anti-corrosion functions.

As for colors, green was originally defined for G11 antifreeze, but with the advent of more and more manufacturers, other colors have appeared. In particular, blue and even crimson red. That is, any dye can be added, the main purpose of which is to indicate a leak. G12 at first produced only red, but over time, yellow and orange compounds appeared. You can also find a green version at all, so there is confusion. If we talk about G13, originally this antifreeze was purple, and today yellow is also produced, which is easy to confuse with G12. Therefore, first of all, you need to look at the composition and properties.

2 Compositions from different manufacturers - should I pay attention to the shade?

If you remember well that you poured inexpensive G11 into the tank, it is highly desirable to purchase a composition of the same standard. Even if it is a different color, the properties will almost certainly be identical. Moreover, this type and the well-known antifreeze are, in fact, one and the same. And in this case, you can mix antifreeze of different colors, since we are just dealing with brand names. And, of course, you can mix antifreeze of the same liquid color, but from two different well-known manufacturers, the compositions will be interchangeable, and it is quite acceptable to dilute one with another. Once again, be sure to look and compare the compositions.

There is a myth that there will be a negative effect if you mix antifreeze of two different colors - you get an extremely ugly color, which means that the properties of the resulting mixture are hopelessly damaged. And the worse the color looks, the more dangerous for the engine is the result of diluting one antifreeze with another. This is fundamentally wrong. You can even use a brown mixture, if you mix red and green antifreeze, it will provide engine cooling and will not affect the radiator in any way. If only the two compositions included in it were identical or at least similar in properties. Someone is worried about what will happen if you mix red and green antifreeze. It is possible that the duration of the liquid will decrease or the quality of cooling will decrease slightly, but no more.

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You should not worry about the resulting color, especially since, diluting one liquid with another, you will feel the result, but you are unlikely to see it (unless when you start draining it).

3 One color, but different standards - what happens?

One thing is for sure. If you mix the most expensive antifreeze G13 and the cheapest G11, nothing good will come of this combination. For the simple reason that they don't match. If only because they contain different alcohols, and additives can enter into an unpredictable reaction. Until the precipitation. The same applies to diluting G13 antifreeze with G12 standard liquid, and vice versa. For the same reason - different basic components.

It is strongly not recommended to add another brand of antifreeze if these are G11 and G12 standards. Although they have a common base component, the effect of additives is completely different. In particular, a film on the inner surface due to the action of the protective composition will interfere with the rust suppressing agent. However, it may well happen that the action of the substances is really combined, and this is fraught with clogging of the cooling system. The resulting film itself makes the walls thicker and the channels narrower, rust crystallization can also significantly reduce the diameter of the tubes.

In this respect, the G12+ and G12++ supplementary standards are considered the most universal and fit all others. It is they that can be well combined with both the cheapest compositions, including the same antifreeze, and with the G13 type, not to mention the practically equal G12 in properties. Thus, if you have yellow antifreeze, you should carefully choose which composition you can mix it with. In any case, it is advisable to purchase at least G12 +. But there are a few tricks that work for a short time.

For example, if you have developed some of the liquid and need to be added to the tank, you can limit yourself to diluting the existing antifreeze with ordinary distilled water in the warm season. But with the condition that in the near future to completely change the antifreeze in the radiator, otherwise engine wear is guaranteed. There is also an opinion that for greater efficiency, you must first mix ethylene glycol and distilled water in equal proportions, but remember that the amount of additive has decreased in proportion to the level of antifreeze, and you will add a fair amount of toxic base. Which can negatively affect the condition of the radiator.

4 How not to spoil antifreeze - beware of fakes

If the owner of the car doubts the liquid that he plans to fill in the radiator, then you should check it. To do this, sometimes it is enough to drain the 2 existing compositions into an ordinary tin can and simply heat it on the stove to 100 degrees. It is this temperature, and for some brands it is somewhat higher, that is declared as critical with the risk of boiling. If you notice that the resulting mixture of the antifreeze you use and the suspicious liquid suddenly began to boil, its properties are greatly overestimated.

What troubles can you expect if you add antifreeze of another, completely unfamiliar brand, but of the same color. Firstly, such a mixture can foam in the radiator. Secondly, its involuntary ignition may occur during strong heating, which will go beyond the critical line earlier than expected. And, finally, it will retain its properties not for 2 years, as it should be for high-quality antifreeze, but for several months. As a result, the radiator, and maybe the engine, will be hopelessly damaged.