The Main Difference Between Antifreeze and Coolant

Winter is the toughest season for car owners. Dropping temperatures can freeze a car’s engine, negatively affecting its performance and leading to costly repairs. Sometimes, it may even seem necessary to replace the car entirely, but there is a solution to prevent this: antifreeze and engine coolant. Many people think antifreeze and coolant are the same, but are they really?

What is Antifreeze?

Antifreeze is an ethylene glycol-based liquid that resists boiling and freezing. It is commonly used to lower the freezing point of the fluid circulating in a vehicle’s engine. Antifreeze prevents the liquid from freezing in cold winter temperatures. It also prevents the fluid’s boiling point from rising, avoiding evaporation. Additionally, it helps keep the engine’s internal parts lubricated and running smoothly.

What is Engine Coolant?

Engine coolant (or radiator coolant) is made by mixing antifreeze with distilled water. It is a diluted version of antifreeze. Typically, it has a 50:50 concentration—50% water and 50% concentrated antifreeze. However, some mixtures contain a higher proportion of water, such as a 70:30 blend (70% water and 30% antifreeze). The 70:30 blends are often designed to prevent corrosion and are slightly more expensive than 50:50 blends. Most engine coolants in the U.S. are made with a 70:30 water-to-antifreeze ratio.

Antifreeze Colors

The two most common antifreeze colors are green and orange. Orange antifreeze represents “extended life” because it lasts longer than green antifreeze due to the different types of corrosion inhibitors it contains. Therefore, orange antifreeze provides the longest-lasting protection.

Coolant Colors

Engine coolant colors can vary between green, blue, and pink. However, green can refer to either antifreeze or coolant, which can cause confusion.

Is Antifreeze the Same as Engine Coolant?

Although there are two different antifreeze colors, neither is the same as engine coolant. Antifreeze must be mixed with water, preferably distilled water, to produce coolant. Distilled water is what makes antifreeze an effective coolant, allowing it to prevent engine overheating and freezing.

Can You Pour Antifreeze Directly Into the Coolant Reservoir?

Once antifreeze is mixed with distilled water, it can be poured into the engine coolant reservoir. It will circulate through the engine and mix with existing coolant to ensure liquids do not freeze.

Why Is It Risky to Drive With Low Coolant Levels?

It’s important to check coolant levels frequently and refill when necessary. Low coolant can cause the engine to overheat, leading to severe damage. The car’s cooling system is designed to prevent overheating by circulating coolant through the radiator.

The Most Common Mistake

Simply adding more coolant is not enough. The old coolant should be drained and replaced to avoid buildup and prevent corrosion, as deposits can clog the radiator and cause problems.

Another common mistake is mixing different colored antifreeze (green and orange) directly together, instead of first mixing each separately with distilled water.

Common Signs of Engine Overheating:

• Strange noises coming from the engine.
• Coolant leaks under the hood.
• Engine warning light is on.
• Dashboard temperature gauge reads higher than normal.

Immediate action should be taken if any of these signs appear.

Key Takeaways:

• Antifreeze and coolant help prevent engine overheating.
• Antifreeze is made of ethylene glycol; coolant is a mixture of distilled water and antifreeze.
• Coolants absorb heat and release it, while antifreeze ensures the mixture does not freeze in low temperatures.
• Coolant should be replaced regularly.
• Antifreeze must be mixed with distilled water before use.
• Be careful not to confuse the different antifreeze and coolant colors.
• Coolants are available in two ratios, 50:50 and 70:30, with 70:30 being slightly more expensive.

While both antifreeze and coolant serve the same function, the difference lies in whether you buy the concentrated or pre-mixed version. Looking for high-quality engine coolant or antifreeze? Visit American MFG today.