Why understanding coolant types is important to your engine and cooling system

摘要

As engine technology and component materials have changed, coolant technology has also changed, particularly with the use of more aluminum in engines. However, there is a misconception that all coolants are interchangeable. Actually, there are two distinctly different types of coolant: older conventional fully formulated and the newer extended life coolant with organic acid technology (OAT). They each protect engines from corrosion very differently and when the two are mixed, both are diluted, and their effectiveness can be significantly reduced.