Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors? Antifreeze red, green, blue - what's the difference?

The design of each car provides a cooling system. It serves to remove heat generated during engine operation, outside. In the winter, the operation of the cooling system contributes to the heating of the cabin. Today we will consider whether it is possible to mix antifreeze of different colors, and also we learn the differences of liquids in shades.

Characteristic

First of all, we note that any cooling fluid, be it foreign or Russian, is colorless. This factor does not affect the quality in any way. "But why, then, are they multicolored?" You ask. How to choose antifreeze - red, green, blue? What is the difference? Manufacturers thus classify their products. Any liquid is distinguished by the presence of components that prevent it from freezing at low temperatures. This figure can be from minus 15 to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Below we will consider the differences.

What is the difference

Manufacturers of different colors mark antifreeze - red, green, blue. What is the difference? Red is characterized by a high crystallization threshold. It does not freeze at a temperature of minus 40 degrees. At the same time, it has a long service life of up to five years. The next species is green. These antifreezes freeze at minus 25 degrees Celsius. Their service life is three years. And the last category is blue (it's also "tosol"). Serves less than all - 1-2 years. But the temperature threshold of freezing is one of the highest and is minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Groups

Thus, each color is attributed to a certain class. There are several of them:

• G11.
• G12.
• G13.

Each group has its own shade. Below we will look at antifreeze by colors and learn the features of each category.

Green

This antifreeze belongs to the first group. In its composition, it has chemical and organic additives. The basis, like everyone else, is ethylene glycol. Also, the composition of green antifreeze includes silicates and a small percentage of carboxylic acid. This mixture, as it were, "envelopes" all the insides of the cooling system with film and actively fights with foci of corrosion.
Among the advantages of using such an antifreeze is worth noting is the high anti-corrosion properties. Thanks to the film, the system serves for a long time and does not rust in different operating modes. Among the shortcomings is a low service life, which is three years. Also note the low heat dissipation, which prevents the same film. At the end of its life, the antifreeze starts to form a deposit in the cooling system. If it is not replaced in time, it can score small channels in the engine.

Red

This modification (G12) is more advanced. Here in the composition - organic additives and carboxylic acid. This mixture does not form films inside the channels, which improves heat transfer. It also localizes rust due to the action of the carboxylic acid. Over time, the red antifreeze does not precipitate. On sale is much more common than green. Of the disadvantages, it should be noted that they do not protect aluminum radiators from oxidation. But if you have a copper or brass, red antifreeze is the best choice.

Purple

Few of us have seen them live, but such means also exist. They appeared relatively recently - in 2012. Relate to the 13th group. Violet is a lobed antifreeze, which does not contain ethylene glycol. It is believed that it is very poisonous. But how does it ensure the removal of heat, if the basic composition without ethylene glycol? Instead, manufacturers use more environmentally friendly, propylene glycol. It is less toxic and environmentally friendly. As for the other components, the composition of the violet antifreeze includes silicates and carboxylic acid, already known to us as an anticorrosive agent in the previous groups.

Blue

This is all known to us tosol, which appeared in the distant 70-ies of the last century. It includes 20 percent distilled water. The rest is ethylene glycol. In view of this proportion, antifreeze has a temperature threshold of minus 30 degrees Celsius. By the way, all the other "color" analogs include only 5 percent of distilled water. Therefore, antifreeze often boils. Already at 110 degrees it becomes ineffective. And if you consider that some engines of foreign cars have a working temperature of about "hundreds", then it is simply dangerous to use it in them. It will certainly overheat the engine. Therefore, antifreeze is suitable only for domestic cars, not more. And its service life is up to two years. Over the years, its heat sink properties are dropping. The same red antifreeze without problems "nurses" five years. But at a cost, it is 50-80 percent more expensive.

Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors?

So, imagine the situation: waking up, you go to the garage and check the coolant level. Open the lid, and it's at the minimum. What to do? Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors? Doing this categorically impossible. And even if the color of the antifreeze is the same. Properties for each manufacturer can vary significantly. Why it is impossible to mix antifreeze of different colors? Such an action can disrupt the composition and change the proportion of additives. Because of this, at the engine operating temperature, the liquid will foam. The heatsink will be minimal, and if you do not notice the problem in time (which happens in 90 percent of cases), you can easily overheat the engine. Do not experiment and ask yourself "what antifreeze can be mixed." The answer is one - you can not, even if the colors are the same.

Dilute correctly

What to do if the level in the tank has fallen to a minimum? To buy a can of new antifreeze is expensive, to take in a small eggplant "for topping" - deadly for the engine. But since all antifreezes have distilled water in the composition, we will dilute it. The proportion should not exceed half. That is 50 percent of ethylene glycol - 50 percent of distilled water. This is ideal if you need to add a small amount of liquid to the tank. As a rule, it escapes from it with time. What happens if you mix antifreeze with water? Its presence does not change the composition and properties of the coolant. The additive balance is not violated, the temperature threshold is not increased. However, if you pour more than a liter of water, on the eve of winter you need to make a complete replacement of the coolant. In large proportions, this mixture quickly freezes. This must be taken into account. If you have not added more than 300 milliliters of distilled water to the tank, you can do without replacing the antifreeze in winter.

Other hazards

Now we know the answer to the question "Is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors". To do this, use only distilled water. None of the fluids "from the tap" should not be a question. It will not only worsen the properties of the antifreeze, but also at the first boil (which will happen in 20 minutes of operation of such an engine) will develop a scum. It is very difficult to remove it. The process is accompanied by regular flushing and dismantling of the radiator. In the worst cases scum clogs small channels. Do not use tap water. Only distilled.

Conclusion

So, we found out whether it is possible to mix antifreeze of different colors and what are the differences of such liquids. When buying a new coolant, remember that any color is the choice of the manufacturer. Sometimes the composition of identical liquids may differ significantly. Look closely at the group to which the product belongs. Also consider the brand of your car. If it's a foreign car, you do not need to pour antifreeze on it, no matter how expensive it is. And to maintain the coolant level, keep a can of distilled water at hand.