OEM understands there’s a lot to know about maintaining your vehicle’s cooling system. Choosing the right antifreeze/coolant for your particular vehicle is a great start. Here are a few commonly asked questions to help guide you through the correct use of OEM antifreeze/coolant.
A: Antifreeze/Coolant is an additive used in vehicles to help regulate an engine’s temperature.
A: You can easily check the level of antifreeze/coolant present in your reservoir by checking the min-max marks. You should always make sure the fluid level is always over the minimum mark and to never add fluid over the maximum line.
A: Concentrate is straight coolant that must be diluted prior to use. Ready-to-use is pre-mixed 50% coolant to 50% water that can be used directly from the bottle.
A: For extreme temperatures, mixing a concentrate coolant with deionized water is the better option because maximum freeze protection of -64°C/-83°F can be achieved with a 70/30 mix (coolant to water). It is also best used when completing a system flush. Since residual water always remains in the system even after a flush, the ready-to-use premixed coolant is great for top-ups. Because you don’t have to mix it with water and can use it straight from the bottle, ready-to-use is also convenient.
A: In general, follow your OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturer) guidelines. If you do not have a guide and are using traditional coolant, then change every two years. Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant should be changed every 5 years or 150,000 miles.
It is important to note that you should check your coolant system at least twice a year. If the coolant is dirty, cloudy, or full of particulate, then the coolant system should be drained, flushed, cleaned, and refilled with a prediluted good quality coolant and the reason for the poor condition of the coolant should be determined.
