Why Doesn't One Size Fit All?

Coolant in an engine plays four major roles:

• carries heat to the radiator
• prevents freezing
• prevents boil over
• protects against corrosion

The first three requirements are easily met by most coolants on the market today, but the way coolants prevent corrosion differs between products and depending on the way engine components are designed. Corrosion can occur when the chemicals in coolant break down and are consumed as they do their job.

Coolant doesn't need to be replaced because it won't carry heat or protect against freezing; it's because traditional corrosion inhibitors can literally wear out.

If coolant is not replaced within the recommended service interval, system corrosion will occur, which can lead to costly engine repair bills.

The "Green Stuff"

Even though raw coolant has no color, manufacturers dye the coolant to help discern different types of coolant. Most cars manufactured before 1995 were designed to run the traditional "green stuff," which contain silicates that coat and protect cooling system components. However, these silicates deplete more quickly, requiring coolant changes every two years or 24,000 miles.

Longer Life Coolants

Newer cars are designed to use silicate-free coolants like Havoline Extended Life DEX-COOL^®, which is orange in color and protects engine components with patented carboxylate inhibitors. These inhibitors enable more modern cars to go as long as five years or 150,000 miles without changing coolant.

Although older cars can take advantage of non-silicate coolants like Havoline Extended Life, newer GM cars which specify DEX-COOL cannot run the "green stuff" or even yellow-colored hybrid coolants like Havoline Custom Made. Therefore, if your car was manufactured in 1995 or later, it is critical to use our coolant finder in order to properly protect your car's cooling system from premature component corrosion.

Additional Tips

• The optimal "freeze point" mixture, the point at which coolant performs best in sub-zero conditions, is when the mixture is 50/50 coolant to distilled water.
• Running 50/50 mixtures also ensure optimal heat transfer in warmer conditions.
• Use only distilled water in your cooling system. Tap water can contain calcium and magnesium which can form scale and clog up radiator and heater core tubes.
• When replacing cooling system components like a water pump, always refill the system with fresh coolant to ensure new components are adequately protected.