What color is antifreeze and antifreeze

Because of the huge amount of cooling liquids on the shelves of car stores, consumers are often confused. Everyone has the same question: which antifreeze is better? What are the different colored liquids different from each other? Let's consider what color antifreeze is, in order to navigate the whole range of colors.

Differences from antifreeze

Antifreezes are liquids that do not freeze at a negative temperature. The coolant is poured into the cooling system of the car. Also, these mixtures have lubricating characteristics and protect the metal parts from corrosion. Antifreeze is a cooling liquid that allows you to save the engine of the car from damaging overheating. The boiling point of such an OLC is above 120 degrees Celsius. These liquids freeze only in critical frosts. Even the average quality of the mixture does not lose its properties at temperatures of -38 and below. Antifreezes allow you to use the machine at any time of the year, no matter whether it's summer or winter. As for antifreeze, from the point of view of chemistry it is the same antifreeze, only domestic. By the way, in no other country, except for the USSR, there was a separation of cooling fluids into such classifications. This is purely Soviet development.

About colored antifreezes

The product itself is colorless. A colored liquid is made up of the dyes that make up the composition. It is due to these substances that the cooling liquid acquires this or that color. Stain the antifreeze so that the motorist can distinguish the products from ordinary water. At the heart of any cooling liquid is ethylene glycol. It is dangerous and poisonous to humans. In addition, colored antifreezes help to identify leaks in the system. Well, finally, the shades indicate some properties and characteristics of the liquid.

Classes and shades

In Europe, manufacturers divide cooling fluids by color into tolerance classes. Often these parameters are indicated on the canister with the composition. Also the class is indicated in the operational documents. Let's try to figure out which antifreeze is better and what its color means.

Tosol

It is traditionally blue. This is the same solution of water and ethylene glycol. As for the color, it is blue. But today you can already meet on sale and options with a red color. The difference between them in temperature thresholds. Blue "Tosol" does not lose its properties at temperatures up to -30. Red holds up to -40. The solution uses the very first generation additives. They are based on phosphates, silicates and other inorganic compounds. The composition protects the nipples and tubes. The service life of the liquid is no more than 3 years. The boiling point is not more than 110 degrees. It is necessary to understand the difference, what color is antifreeze and antifreeze, so that under the guise of a good product does not purchase an inefficient liquid.

G11: green, blue, yellow

In Russia, as well as in Europe, classify cooling fluids according to Volkswagen standards. These are G11, G12, G12 + and G13. Products of G11 class are most often produced in green. But what color is the antifreeze, depends on the manufacturer. Produce G11 in blue (turquoise) and yellow. This is a hybrid mixture. In the composition, in addition to a solution of ethylene glycol with water, there are special additives on an inorganic basis. They are designed to protect the surface from corrosion. These mixtures have been produced since the 90s. They do not have a long service life, they are designed for all types of radiators. These fluids are poured by car manufacturers "BMW", "Mercedes", "Chrysler" and many others. The green version of G11 is a continuation of the development of the domestic TOSOL. The latter is also equated with this class. Green liquids are also sold in class G11 + and G11 ++. The difference between them as a percentage of the content of carboxylic acids.

G12: red and its shades

Cooling liquids type G12 are made traditionally in red and its shades. It's anything from pink to maroon. This mixture is classified as a carboxylate type. In the composition there are additives of organic type, which differ selective action. The liquid creates a strong protective layer only on those surfaces where there are already pockets of damage from corrosion. These antifreezes were developed in the 90's. These fluids are great for working with high-speed and hot motors. Serves this composition for no more than 5 years. Red G12 antifreeze is used in the production of many modern Korean, American, Italian and other cars.

G12 +

This composition was developed in 2008. These fluids were widely used by the Peugeot-Citroen group in new models. As for the color, it is also traditionally red. These hybrids are similar to G11. But it contains less chemical reagents. Organic matter here is about 50 percent.

G13: orange, yellow

Unlike all previous types of formulations, this type is not based on ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is used as a base substance. Such antifreeze is more high-quality, more environmentally safe and expensive. Beginners often ask what color is the antifreeze and which is the most expensive. You can answer this question in the following way. Colors can be different, but at the price of the most expensive, definitely, G13. By the way, due to its high cost, these compounds do not produce in Russia and CIS countries.

Purple G13

In 2012, the market began to appear new cool cooling fluids. Manufacturers paint antifreeze in purple. The formula is not completely ready yet and is constantly being finalized. Now companies are planning to completely abandon the use of poisonous eltylene glycol and replace it with modern, not so active propylene glycol. You need to know what color antifreeze is, so that you can not buy something that you do not need to by ignorance or by chance. Additives remain virtually unchanged, which means that the minuses of the composition remain the same.

So what about the color

On this score, there are several opinions, but the truth has not yet been revealed. Some information in the public domain still appears. At first glance, there are few differences between colored liquids - they are additives. But a large army of car enthusiasts forgets that in each series of cars different types of radiators and different motors are used. If the radiator is copper, then it is worth remembering what color antifreeze is and what the car manufacturers recommend. For such heat exchangers, a red option is recommended. If the radiator is aluminum, then green is suitable here.

What to choose

Often beginning car owners try to acquire a coolant, only based on its color. This is not entirely correct. It is best to focus on classes. Only in this way can you get a truly proven quality. And if you focus on what kind of antifreeze is better in color, you can instead of the G11 product, under the guise of a quality product, purchase the usual antifreeze. And again, you need to look at the coolant class for a particular car, as well as the material from which the radiator is made. Only after this we pay attention to the colors of the liquid. As for the quality product, you can pay attention to the products of "Sintek". Here you can choose by color. And for those who do not know what color is the antifreeze "Sintek", say - all the colors described above.