Antifreeze is one of the most essential fluids in your car, perhaps right behind gasoline and oil. It keeps your engine from overheating while protecting your cooling system from freezing during the winter. Some formulations even offer rust and corrosion protection.
So, what is antifreeze made of that makes it such a powerful and versatile vehicle fluid? We’ll break down all the ingredients of antifreeze below, including:
Continue reading our comprehensive antifreeze ingredients list and learn all about the role of antifreeze in keeping your car running smoothly for decades to come. We’ll also introduce you to the best antifreeze coolant collection in the UK - available exclusively at Jennychem.
Provide your vehicle with the protection it needs today. Shop our car antifreeze and enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re getting the quality you deserve at an unbeatable price!
The primary purpose of car antifreeze is to regulate your vehicle’s engine temperature - preventing it from overheating in summer and freezing in winter.
This fluid is capable of lowering the freezing point and raising the boiling point of the liquid in the cooling system. This prevents the cracks in your engine block that could form if the coolant were to freeze while avoiding warped engine components associated with overheating.
But temperature regulation is just one - albeit important - piece of the puzzle. Antifreeze also protects the engine from corrosion and rust, at least modern formulations do. Corrosion inhibitors safeguard metal components like the radiator, water pump, and engine block.
There’s also a bit of lubrication that goes on, keeping components within the cooling system like the water pump running smoothly while minimising wear. In other words, antifreeze helps you avoid premature repairs that could be incredibly costly.
To say this is an essential fluid would be an understatement. But, what is antifreeze made of that allows it to do all this simultaneously? Let’s get into our antifreeze ingredients list below.
So, what is in antifreeze? There are three primary ingredients of antifreeze, but we’ll look at a few others that all play a part in protecting your vehicle and keeping it running well.
The most active ingredient in antifreeze is going to be either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. These chemicals are responsible for lowering the freezing point and raising the boiling point of the coolant. So, where do they differ?
Ethylene glycol is more commonly used as it has superior heat transfer capabilities, but it’s highly toxic. Propylene glycol is less toxic which is why you’ll find it used in antifreeze products marketed as environmentally friendly or safe for pets and humans.
Both types serve the primary function of preventing the coolant from freezing in cold weather or overheating in high temperatures. It just becomes a matter of preference at a certain point - are you more interested in protection and performance or eco-friendliness and safety? Choose accordingly.
We mentioned earlier that antifreeze also has the ability to fend off corrosion, and this is where inhibitors such as silicates, phosphates, or organic acid technology (OAT) inhibitors come into play.
These inhibitors prevent damage caused by the constant flow of liquid through the engine's cooling system, especially in metals like aluminium, steel, and copper. They’re most important for protecting the radiator, water pump, and cylinder heads from rust and corrosion.
The type and quantity of inhibitors will vary based on the formula, but they all do the same thing. Some antifreeze formulations offer long-term protection of up to five years or 250,000 km - or in the case of trucks and commercial vehicles, 1,000,000 km!
What is in antifreeze beyond the two primary components? Good old H2O! While those will make up the majority of the formulation, that concentrate still needs to be diluted before it’s added to your vehicle.
The amount of water will depend on your climate and the specific antifreeze in question. While a 50/50 ratio is generally acceptable, you might dilute it more for milder conditions, or dilute it less for harsher conditions.
Either way, water helps transfer heat away from the engine and maintain the fluid's flow properties. Now, you might be wondering - do I need to put antifreeze in my car, or can I simply use water? A good question, but the answer is yes, you need antifreeze.
Water alone would freeze in cold temperatures or boil in hot settings. This is where the antifreeze works its magic to regulate the temperature of water.
This is a good point in our antifreeze ingredients list to bring up another common question we get asked - is antifreeze and coolant the same thing? Not at all. Antifreeze is the raw liquid, and once you add water, it can then be referred to as coolant.
So while all coolant contains antifreeze, antifreeze is not coolant. The distinction is important.
Now, what is antifreeze made of in addition to the big three? There are two other common ingredients of antifreeze, one of which is dye. This gives the fluid a distinct colour, be it blue, red, pink, or green.
The reason this antifreeze ingredient is included is to help drivers and mechanics quickly recognise the type of antifreeze in use so they can replace or top off the reservoir with a compatible formula.
The colour of antifreeze can also indicate whether it contains ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or specific types of corrosion inhibitors for effortless compatibility with different vehicle types.
Finally, you may find some antifreeze formulations feature additives designed to suppress foam formation while maintaining the optimal pH balance in your car’s cooling system.
Foam can hinder the cooling process by creating air pockets in the system, leading to inefficient heat transfer. Meanwhile, pH stabilizers keep the antifreeze chemically balanced so the coolant doesn’t become too acidic or alkaline, which could damage engine components over time.
There you have it, what is in antifreeze coolant! We hope this antifreeze ingredients list has offered clarity on all the different components that make this fluid so powerful.
The only thing left to do now is get your hands on premium-grade antifreeze so you can protect your car with peace of mind. Because while the ingredients of antifreeze remain fairly uniform from brand to brand, the quality varies greatly.
The last thing you want is to cause more harm than good by using low-quality antifreeze in your vehicle. The good news? You can rest assured you’re getting the best antifreeze in the UK when you shop here at Jennychem.
We’ve been the #1 choice for all your chemical needs for 35 years and counting. Whether you’re driving in harsh summer heat or navigating icy winter conditions, we’ve got you covered. Here are our most popular products:
So, which engine coolant for my car is optimal? If you still aren’t sure, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our helpful customer service team is here to help. You can also count on us for all the other essentials to keep your car looking and performing its best, such as:
Don’t settle for less than the best antifreeze ingredients. Give your vehicle the most reliable, cost-effective protection in the UK at Jennychem today!
So, what is antifreeze made of? In summary, the antifreeze ingredients list features ethylene or propylene glycol, corrosion inhibitors, water, and additives that ensure your engine is protected from extreme temperatures and internal wear.
Using high-quality antifreeze is an investment in your car’s performance, longevity, and safety. It’s not something you should take lightly, which is why UK car owners trust Jennychem.
Find additional resources in our blog like how much coolant does my car take, how to dispose of antifreeze, where does coolant go in a car, how long does coolant last in a car, anti-freeze screen wash, how much Adblue to add, how to get oil off driveway, and more.
Or, take a look at our antifreeze offerings and make sure you’re giving your vehicle the care it deserves. Keep your engine running smoothly year round with antifreeze from Jennychem!
