Cold weather is approaching. If you own a vehicle, it’s time to check the freeze level of the coolant in the radiator and replace with new coolant if the mixture has not been changed according to your maintenance schedule. Take notice to the color of your anti freeze before changing. Using the wrong type of anti freeze can be a costly mistake. 

Most of the antifreeze products on the market currently are ethylene glycol base material with additives to prevent corrosion, lubricate seals and water pumps and aid in heat transfer to the coolant from the metal of the engine. Antifreeze should be mixed with distilled water, not tap water, at the ratio of one part antifreeze to one part water. Tap water contains high amounts of minerals such as calcium and iron that can precipitate and coat internal parts.  

Antifreeze products have been the traditional "green" coolant. This type is good for two to three years and up to 30,000 miles. As long as the solution remains alkaline, corrosion is controlled and the system is protected. Over time, the corrosion inhibitors will be depleted and the corrosion protection is lost. It is for this reason that green antifreeze should be changed every two years or so. Aluminum is especially vulnerable to corrosion and many vehicles have heads, radiators and other aluminum components in the cooling system. Corrosion damage is avoided if the coolant in an engine cooling system is changed before corrosion inhibitors reach low levels. If not, corrosion will eat at your engine from the inside out.

"Orange" antifreeze is a long life or extended life type of antifreeze used to increase the useful life of engine coolant. It is ethylene glycol base as is the green antifreeze. The difference between the two colors is that orange antifreeze contains a different type of corrosion inhibitor that has a much longer service life than silicates, phosphates and borates. Orange antifreeze contains organic acids that protect engine parts from corrosion. Silicate (green) type antifreeze does not mix with orange type antifreeze. Never mix the two colors in a cooling system. 

There are other colors of anti freeze, especially in the foreign markets. Refer to your owners manual if you have any question as to the correct type of anti freeze to use in your vehicle. Using the wrong type of anti freeze can result in internal damage and a huge repair bill.