#engine coolant

Coolant and oil are critical helping your car keep its composure during the dog days of summer. Having them checked is well worth the effort: http://www.4performanceunlimited.com/blogspot/blog.php?id=7379261441521796020/dog-days-of-johnsburg-summer-require

All of us have what we call as our ‘cozy temperature’- higher than that makes us turn on our ACs, and lower than that makes us feel chilly. It’s somewhat the same with the engine of your car, and it needs something to regulate these fluctuations. Just like an engine oil, engine coolant also plays an important role in preventing the engine from overheating or freezing in extreme temperatures. But there are other, lesser known properties of the coolant as well. They protect various engine parts from corrosion, acidification, cavitation, etc. caused from engine wear and breakdown. That is why it's really important to choose the right coolant for your heavy-duty engine.

Let’s dive into all that you need to know about engine coolants. 

Types of engine coolant

There are mainly four types of coolant present in the market. Ranging from cheaper versions that require regular maintenance to costlier versions that need less maintenance. Coolants also come in many different colors: red, blue, pink, purple, or green.

The four types of engine coolant present in the market, are as follows-

● Inorganic Acid technology (IAT)

They are the most conventional low silicate types which are mostly used in light-duty trucks. They require more frequent service and supplemental coolant additives (SCAs) to keep the system working properly.

● Organic Acid Technology (OAT)

This type of coolant uses organic acids and has a better service life. They can last much longer than IATs and are engineered for heavy and light-duty diesel engines both. OAT can also provide for natural gas and petrol engines. These coolants can give up to 2,500,000 km or 20,000 engine hours of service without SCAs, only if they are properly maintained.

● Nitrite Organic Acid Technology (NOAT)

These coolants are somewhat similar to the OATs in service life and performance. NOAT combines the best of nitrite/molybdate and organic additives which provide the best protection and extended life benefits for heavy duty ELC, NOAT and EC1 systems.

● Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)

HOAT is a combination of inhibitors used in IAT and OAT coolants. They usually have low silicate and nitrite/molybdate-based technology. These hybrid coolants may need to be serviced with SCA’s, typically at 240,000 kms or at the manufacturer's recommended interval.

With that, we have covered everything that you need to know about engine coolants. Like every individual has different needs and preferences, different vehicles require different types of coolants as they are specially engineered to keep its designated engines working in extreme temperatures. Hence, it's always suggested to check the manufacturer's specifications before choosing any of these coolants.