Antifreeze plays an indispensable role in protecting your vehicle’s engine and ensuring smooth operation, keeping it running well 365 days a year. It keeps your engine from overheating during the scorching summer months and prevents vital fluids from freezing in the frigid winter months.
Regular replacement and refill are part of owning a vehicle. But when the time comes, you’ll likely find yourself overwhelmed by all the various antifreeze colours at your disposal.
So, what colour is antifreeze? More specifically, what colour antifreeze for my car is optimal? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll highlight all the different colour antifreeze products you can choose from, including:
We’ll also guide you through topping off your antifreeze reservoir as needed. But first, stock up on the UK’s premier selection of car antifreeze here at Jennychem. We have the ideal formulation for your engine’s unique needs. If you’re not sure, get in touch for one-on-one help!
First things first, what is anti-freeze? Is antifreeze and coolant the same thing? Why do I need to put antifreeze in my car? We want to start by getting you up to speed on the basics of this often misunderstood but essential vehicle fluid.
While people often use the terms interchangeably, there are slight nuances between antifreeze and coolant. Antifreeze refers to the concentrated chemical (usually glycol-based) that lowers the freezing point of the liquid inside the engine.
Coolant, on the other hand, is the mixture of antifreeze and water (usually in a 50/50 ratio) that circulates through the engine, keeping it cool in hot weather and preventing freezing in winter. Think about it like this: antifreeze is the raw ingredient while coolant is the ready-to-use solution.
Antifreeze and coolant work to regulate your vehicle’s engine temperature, keeping it running efficiently while preventing damage that could lead to costly repairs. There are three mechanisms you should understand:
In other words, antifreeze is an investment in your vehicle’s performance and longevity. Without it you could experience consequences ranging from overheating to freezing and corrosion.
Every time you turn the key on your ignition - or press the start button for more recent models - your vehicle will use antifreeze. Thus, you need to regularly top off the reservoir.
We mentioned some of the reasons you can’t take antifreeze lightly already, but let’s get more specific. Overheating can cause parts like the head gasket to fail or the engine itself to seize.
A lack of antifreeze could cause the water in the cooling system to freeze when the UK’s harsh winters roll around, leading to cracks in the engine block and coolant lines.
This is why we encourage you to get into a good routine of constantly checking coolant levels and topping off accordingly. Always keep a bottle of pre-mixed coolant in your car as a backup, especially in extreme weather conditions.
You can get by using distilled water during the summer months, but even still, it’s worth keeping antifreeze on hand. That being said, let’s get into the different antifreeze colours you have to choose from.
So, what colour is antifreeze? A better question is, why is antifreeze different colours? Let’s start there and then get into the most common antifreeze colours you have at your disposal so you can give your vehicle the protection it deserves.
The colour itself doesn’t affect performance. Rather, it indicates the chemical composition and intended application so car owners choose the right product for their vehicle.
As we’ll explain in more detail below, different types of vehicles, cooling systems, and even climates call for specific antifreeze blends. This helps prevent accidental mixing of incompatible antifreeze types as well, which could lead to a cascade of problems.
Now, what colour is antifreeze?
This is the most traditional type of antifreeze and is often used in older vehicles with standard cooling systems. It’s typically made with Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) and contains silicates and phosphates to prevent corrosion.
Green antifreeze usually needs to be replaced every 2-3 years, as its corrosion inhibitors degrade more quickly than modern formulations. Learn more in our guide, how long does coolant last in a car?
Orange antifreeze is often associated with Organic Acid Technology (OAT). it’s more commonly used in modern vehicles, specifically those manufactured by General Motors (GM).
It doesn’t contain the silicates and phosphates found in green antifreeze, and its corrosion inhibitors last longer, typically around 5 years or more.
Red antifreeze is a powerful long-life coolant that uses advanced inhibitor technology, typically designed to last up to five years. You’ll get exceptional protection against corrosion, especially for aluminium and other non-ferrous components found in modern engines.
It’s compliant with ASTM D3306, which ensures it meets stringent requirements for non-corrosive performance in engines. This is important for all vehicles, but especially European manufacturers.
This high-performance engine coolant concentrate based on monoethylene glycol uses a hybrid formula that combines both organic and silicate technologies, making it ideal for modern petrol and diesel engines.
This is the best of both worlds: the organic technology provides long-lasting protection against corrosion, while the silicate technology adds extra defence for metal surfaces within the engine.
Yellow or gold antifreeze is another form of HOAT designed to be compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including American, European, and Asian models.
Its long-lasting properties and versatility make it a popular choice for those who are unsure which specific type of antifreeze is best for their vehicle. Like red antifreeze, it offers extended protection generally lasting up to 5 years.
Blue antifreeze is often found in specific brands of European and Japanese cars, including models from manufacturers like BMW and Subaru.
This formulation typically uses a blend of silicates and organic acids for a middle ground between IAT and OAT technologies. It provides excellent corrosion resistance and can last around 4-5 years.
So, what colour antifreeze for my car is best? Our advice is to consult your vehicle’s manual if you still have access to it. This information will be clearly laid out somewhere in there.
Otherwise, you can likely run a quick internet search for your make, model, and year followed by “antifreeze recommendation.” This should point you in the right direction.
If you’re still not sure, though, get in touch with our experts here at Jennychem - home of the best antifreeze in all the UK. We have blue, red, pink, and even a universal antifreeze so you can rest assured the optimal formulation is a click away.
The antifreeze we sell meets most North American and European standards and designed to be as long-lasting as possible so you can get the best bang for your buck. For example, our Pink Antifreeze can last more than 5 years, or 1,000,000 km for trucks and commercial vehicles!
Our customer service team can help you find the right one if you’re still not feeling confident as far as which of these antifreeze colours is best. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Or, read our guide on which engine coolant for my car is optimal. In the meantime, we’ll share some tips on replacing or refilling your antifreeze below.
From dilution to locating the reservoir and understanding how to dispose of antifreeze, there’s more to topping off your vehicle’s antifreeze than meets the eye. Don’t worry, though. We’ll simplify it all for your so you can make quick work of this routine maintenance task.
Antifreeze typically needs to be replaced every 2 to 5 years, but it will all depend on the type and your vehicle's requirements.
Even if you still look to have plenty of fluid in your reservoir, antifreeze loses its effectiveness over time. You could be leaving your engine vulnerable to overheating and corrosion by neglecting replacement.
Always refer to your car's manual for the recommended replacement interval. You can also watch for some of the warning signs it’s time to replace your coolant, which includes overheating, coolant discolouration, or a persistent sweet smell from the engine bay.
It’s a good habit to regularly check antifreeze levels between replacements, too, topping off as needed. So, where does coolant go in a car? Open the bonnet when the engine is cool and locate the coolant reservoir, which is typically located on the side of the engine bay. It should have a cap with a warning not to open when hot. It’s typically brightly coloured.
The levels should fall between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks. If the level is low, top up with the appropriate antifreeze. Make sure the vehicle is parked on a flat surface for an accurate reading.
One of the most common questions we get asked is - can you mix different colour antifreeze? Absolutely not. This can be detrimental to your vehicle, potentially damaging your engine’s cooling system.
Different coloured antifreezes indicate variations in chemical composition, such as the use of organic acids, silicates, or hybrid technology. If you’re not positive what coolant is in your reservoir, it’s better to exercise an abundance of caution and flush the system altogether.
Once you have the correct antifreeze colour on hand along with a funnel, you’re ready to make the replacement. Here’s a quick guide:
Store any unused antifreeze in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. It must be kept well-sealed and clearly labelled, out of reach of children and pets. You can store it this way for 3-5 years, but it will start to degrade with age.
So, what colour is antifreeze - and more importantly, what antifreeze colour for my car is optimal? Hopefully, this detailed antifreeze colour guide has left you with a clear understanding of all the different options.
From protecting your engine from freezing in winter to preventing overheating in summer, choosing the right antifreeze ensures your vehicle runs smoothly year-round. If you still have any doubts, reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Our blog has similar resources on how much Adblue to add, anti-freeze screen wash, how to get oil off driveway, how to dry car after washing, screen wash not working, and more.
But whether you need any of the different antifreeze colours or snow foam, screen wash, ad blue for sale, car shampoo, polishing compound, car glass cleaner, or anything else to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, remember that Jennychem has you covered.
Don't wait for engine problems to arise - get the best antifreeze for your car today at Jennychem and drive with confidence in any season! The optimal antifreeze colour is just a click away.
