Here's everything you need to know about your coolant

What Is Engine Coolant?

coolant is a solution mixed with water to improve heat transfer and control the operating temperature of
an engine. Besides its function in cooling down the engine, coolant also contains ingredients that inhibit
rust, corrosion, and scale. These are called inhibitors. They also prevent cavitation which is the rapid
formation and collapse of vapour, a frequent cause of structural damage.

WHAT MUST ENGINE COOLANT DO?

1-Be an effective heat exchange fluid.

2- Protect against rust, corrosion, cavitation, freezing, and overheating 3- Be

compatible with plastics and rubbers.

4-Be chemically stable (i.e. no “drop out”). 5-Prevention of deposits

What Makes a Good Coolant?

Ethylene glycol. The main active ingredient in most engine coolants is ethylene
glycol. It was first used as a coolant ingredient following World War I. This chemical is responsible for
ensuring the liquid circulating through your car’s engine does not freeze in extreme cold and does not
evaporate in extreme heat.
Propylene glycol. Some engine coolants use propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. Propylene
glycol is more viscose, which means ethylene glycol tends to have more efficient heat transfer. Propylene
glycol is considered less toxic if ingested, which is a major selling point for car owners with children and
pets.
Corrosion inhibitors. Water and ethylene glycol (or propylene glycol) create the base of
most engine coolants, but different additives to prevent corrosion create different types of
coolants. These different ingredients can vary depending on the country of origin. For
example, cars manufactured in Asia use carboxylates and phosphates as anti-corrosion
agents in their engine coolant. Engine coolant for Asian-manufactured cars cannot use
silicates as an anti-corrosive agent. Coolant for European cars, on the other hand, uses a
mix of silicates and carboxylates in engine coolant to protect against corrosion.
One anti-corrosive is not necessarily superior to another. Different ingredients are used to
solve different issues. For example, cars made in Asia have had issues with poor heat
transfer. As a result, engine coolant for cars manufactured in Asia does not use coolants
with silicates. Instead, phosphates and carboxylates fill the anti-corrosive role. In Europe,
engine coolant had to solve a different problem. Hardwater, containing the minerals
calcium and magnesium, reacted in engine coolant, causing scale to form on car engines. So,
engine coolant for cars made in Europe does not contain phosphates. Instead, coolant
designed for European cars uses silicates and carboxylates.
What Are the Different Types of Engine Coolant?
1. Inorganic additive technology (IAT)
It is made with ethylene glycol with silicate and phosphates added to prevent corrosion. It’s used in older
vehicles, typically cars manufactured in the late 1990s. As an older formula, it is not as efficient as some
newer types of engine coolant. If your car requires IAT coolant, you will replace it approximately every
two years or every 40,000 Km. IAT formulas contain silicates, which protect your car’s engine by
inhibiting the effects of corrosion.

2. Organic acid technology (OAT)

OAT engine coolant is made with a propylene glycol base. This coolant is typically compatible with cars
manufactured by GM, Saab, and VW. Unlike IAT coolants, OAT coolants are designed for newer cars,
usually, those made in the 2000s or later. OAT uses organic acid to help protect your engine from
corrosion. As a more modern formulation, OAT coolant only needs to be drained and changed every five
years or every 80,000 Km. Often, OAT coolant will have additional additives to help protect your car’s
engine.
3. Hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT)
Hybrid organic acid technology is one of the three main categories of engine coolant, and it has THREE
subcategories. The HOAT formulation is a combination of the OAT formulation and the IAT formulation.
HOAT uses both silicates and organic acid to protect your engine and combat corrosion. It should be
swapped out at the same interval as OAT coolant: every five years or every 80,000 Km.
3.1. Phosphate-free HOAT
This NAP-free formula, made with ethylene glycol, contains organic and inorganic corrosion inhibitors to
protect your engine. It does not contain phosphates, such as nitrite, nitrate, and borate. It is also a
lowsilicate formula. The phosphate-free formulation is made with the safety of your car’s gaskets and
seals.
3.2. Phosphated HOAT
Phosphate HOAT uses phosphates and organic acids to inhibit the corrosion of your engine’s parts.

Phosphate HOAT coolant is usually recommended for use in vehicles manufactured in Asia, such as
KIA, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota vehicles. Due to heat transfer issues, Asian car manufacturers
require the use of this type of coolant. The coolant uses carboxylates and phosphates, rather than
silicates, to inhibit corrosive action in your car’s engine.
3.3. Silicated HOAT
It uses silicates and organic acids to inhibit corrosive action in your engine. Its formula is free of nitrites,
nitrates, phosphates, borates, amines, and imidazole. Instead, it uses silicate, organic technology. The
coolant offers protection for five years or 200,000 Km in the case of light application. In the case of heavy
applications, this formula protects for three years or 300,000 miles. Silicated HOAT is a premium engine
coolant used in cars such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW, Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini.

NOTE: The color in the coolant is a dye and should never be used to distinguish the type of
coolant.