An important requirement often over-looked in relatively new vehicles is the change period of the factory fitted coolant. It appears many people are not aware that nearly all Australian manufactured vehicles and the majority of overseas vehicles require a Coolant or Anti-Freeze change at 2 years or 40,000 Kilometres.
Put simply coolant is a solution that is mixed with water in the radiator to control the temperature of the engine by removing waste heat from the engine. Coolants also contain inhibitors that help prevent rust, scale and corrosion in the cooling system.
Today's Coolants are a sophisticated blend of corrosion inhibiting chemicals, Anti Foam agents, demineralised water and Mono Ethylene Glycol.
To be effective engine coolant must do the following:
As conventional Coolants or Anti Freezes protect the metal surfaces by coating them with a micro thin film of corrosion inhibitors this action over time consumes the active chemicals. Once the Coolants corrosion inhibitors have been depleted the coolant will give little or no corrosion protection to your engine.
A well maintained cooling system will perform at maximum efficiency thereby stopping corrosion and the replacement of expensive engine components. You can learn more about your cooling system and our cooling system service here.
In Australia we have Type A and Type B coolants. For later model cars Type A is generally required as Type A contains inhibitors to protect the cooling system from rust and corrosion as well as an Anti-Freeze/Anti Boil solution. For older vehicles Type B is adequate. Type B protects against rust and corrosion and does not contain Anti-Freeze/Anti Boil.
It is important to remember that you should not mix coolant types in the radiator and that modern vehicles have very specific requirements. A qualified professional can advise you on the right coolant for your car. Repco Authorised Service use and recommend Penrite coolants that are designed for harsh Australian conditions.
Check the Auto facts Videos for more great information here.
Concentrated coolants are packaged to be diluted to a specific Coolant concentration ratio i.e 50% by mixing with water where as Pre-mix coolants are already diluted with water at a preset ratio normally between 33% to 50%.