Updated at: 22-09-2021 - By: Lucas

Everyone should know the properties and uses of antifreeze. In fact, it is one of the most important substances that every car owner should have in his/her vehicle.

Antifreeze has many uses, and each one is very important. Without it, your car or truck will not start. That’s why it is so important to always know what type of antifreeze you have in your vehicle.

In this article, we are going to teach you how to test your antifreeze and how to tell what type it is. Also, we will give you some important information about this vital substance.

Below is three types of antifreeze

Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT)

Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT)

The IAT or “ice-antifreeze” is a chemical additive that is added to your car’s coolant system. This chemical is responsible for preventing your engine from overheating. The ice that forms in your cooling system when your vehicle is exposed to cold temperatures causes the engine to overheat. By adding a little IAT to your coolant, it has the effect of melting the ice that would otherwise build up in your cooling system and prevent your engine from overheating.

It is important to keep an eye on your car’s oil level. If it gets too low, your engine will not get enough lubrication and this can cause damage.

Organic Acid Technology (OAT)

Organic Acid Technology (OAT)

OAT is an acronym for “On-Acceleration-Through”. This is a chemical that is used to prevent your engine from freezing up. It is a colorless, tasteless and odorless liquid that is added to your gasoline or diesel fuel.

The main purpose of OAT is to prevent your engine from being damaged by extremely low temperatures. However, OAT also has another function that is not related to preventing damage from extreme cold. OAT will prevent your engine from stalling when you are driving at very low temperatures. If your engine does get too cold, then OAT will thin out the oil in your engine and cause it to burn off. This will allow your engine to start again.

It is very important that you do not pour any antifreeze into your radiator unless specifically directed to do so by a trained technician. Doing so can cause death or serious injury. Antifreeze should be stored in a cool, dark place where it will not freeze.

Do not leave any antifreeze in your car even if the temperature is below zero. That can be extremely dangerous. When the weather gets cold, your car engine will naturally try to stay warm. This causes the engine to create extra heat which makes the engine and all of the components in it work harder.

This extra strain on the engine can cause it to break down much faster. Don’t put off having your car repaired because of the cold weather.

Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)

This is a new type of antifreeze that has been created by scientists at the University of Florida. It works in much the same way as regular antifreeze, but it does not contain any lead or ethylene glycol.

This means that it will not poison your engine and it will not break down your vehicle’s paint. The only real difference between this new type of antifreeze and regular antifreeze is that it is made with a natural organic acid.

This acid helps prevent corrosion in your vehicle’s cooling system. It also acts as a catalyst to help promote the breakdown of sludge and other unwanted deposits that can build up in your vehicle’s cooling system. This new type of antifreeze is safe for your family and it is safe for the environment.

FAQS

Is car antifreeze a coolant?

Yes, it is a coolant which is used to cool the engine of a car. It is a mixture of ethylene glycol and water.

Why do we need both ethylene glycol and water in an antifreeze solution?

Ethylene glycol and water have different freezing points and boiling points. The mixture of these two helps in controlling the freezing and boiling points of the coolant. 

How to clean car antifreeze?

Regularly clean the cooling system, and change water and antifreeze regularly. Do not use any harsh chemicals or detergents. Use a brush to clean the external surfaces of the radiator and hoses. Use a clean cloth to wipe the insides of the radiator and hoses. 

What color is car antifreeze?

Most car antifreezes are green, yellow, orange, or red. 

However, not all of them are labeled as such. In fact, many of them are clear or have a very faint tint to them.

So how do you know what color your car’s antifreeze is if it isn’t labeled?

Here’s what you need to do: Take a clean white cloth or paper towel and wipe the surface of the antifreeze. If the cloth absorbs the antifreeze, then it is water-based antifreeze.

If not, then it is ethylene-based antifreeze. You’ll know it’s ethylene-based because it will stain the cloth a bright red. Water-based antifreeze doesn’t stain anything.

How does a car engine work with antifreeze?

Antifreeze is used in the cooling system. When you start up the car, the engine has to be cooled down to normal operating temperature, which is around 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit). The coolant flows through the engine to cool it.

Is antifreeze for cars dangerous?

Antifreeze is obviously not good for the environment, and it is highly poisonous to both humans and animals. That’s why it is very important that you dispose of the old and the new antifreeze in a responsible way.

What is the best car antifreeze?

When it comes to antifreeze, there are a couple of different types that you can use. There is the traditional ethylene glycol based antifreeze, and there is also a newer formula that is made from propylene glycol.

Propylene glycol based antifreeze has some advantages over the ethylene glycol based antifreeze. For one thing, it is much less toxic to pets and people. It also has a much higher boiling point than ethylene glycol based antifreeze.

Should I add antifreeze to the car myself?

It is not recommended that you add antifreeze to the car yourself. Dealerships will add a corrosive rust inhibitor to your engine during an oil change. A rust inhibitor will protect a car’s engine from rusting for a longer period of time.

However, it is imperative that you replace the engine oil and filter with fresh oil and filter as instructed by your engine manufacturer. If you do not, you can destroy your engine. Also, be sure to wash all antifreeze residue off your car and driveway before applying a sealant.

How often do you add antifreeze to the car?

Some cars recommend replacing the engine coolant every 30,000 miles or three years. Over time, antifreeze will absorb water vapor from the air, which will dilute the antifreeze.

This can lead to overheating of the engine and damage. But most modern cars have a thermal protector in them that shuts off the engine if the coolant gets too hot.

Is antifreeze recyclable?

According to the EPA, most antifreeze is recycled. But you should contact your local recycling service to find out for sure. When recycling antifreeze, you should make sure that you don’t mix it with your regular household trash.

What are other uses of antifreeze?

Antifreeze has many uses outside of vehicle cooling systems. Antifreeze is used in many industrial processes and is also used in things like blood banks and for preserving blood and tissue samples.

Conclusion

If you are like most people, you probably don’t know what kind of antifreeze your car needs. But, you should know that there are many different kinds and you should learn how to tell which one you need. This will help you avoid having expensive repairs done to your car.

Many people believe that their car needs only the kind that their mechanic recommends. But that is not true. You should never trust your car to just any mechanic. You should learn how to do it yourself or hire someone who knows how to do it and has the proper equipment to test the type of antifreeze that is in your car.