Heavy-duty vehicle coolant maintenance is tricky— with just so many alternatives available in the market, hoping to find the right fit to keep your engine running mile to mile smoothly, without a blow-up is every fleet owner’s concern. Let’s make it easy for you. In this blog, we’ll learn about antifreeze coolants, its mechanism, types, how and where to find your match.
The Cool Factor
Coolant-Antifreeze comes front and center in regulating the efficient working of your truck’s large engine. It functions to control temperature, preventing the engine from overheating in higher temperatures, while thwarting it from freezing under lower degrees.
Coolant also lubricates and reduces wear and tear of your engine’s moving parts such as water pumps, etc, staving off unnecessary damage and corrosion.
Difference Between Antifreeze and Coolant
Antifreeze is an undiluted solution primarily used to prevent coolant from freezing in cold or lower temperatures. When mixed with water it becomes a coolant, enabling heat transfer properties.
The ratio of antifreeze to water depends on the manufacturer's recommendation.
What is a coolant made of
Coolant, consists of Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol for temperature regulation, Water for heat transfer, Additives to prevent corrosion and Dyes for leak detection and to identify types.
Coolant is categorized into two; Conventional Coolants and Extended Life Coolants on the basis of the additives.
Conventional Coolant
Often called Inorganic Acid Technology. It is formulated with inorganic compounds such as Silicate fluid, Phosphates, Nitrates and Borates to maintain PH levels and prevent corrosion. These have shorter service intervals— increasing maintenance costs and frequent cooling system flushes.
Extended Life Coolant
These coolants utilize organic acids known as OAT and HOAT (Organic Acid Technology and Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) with corrosion inhibitors like Carboxylates, offering extended service intervals and protection.
HOAT or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology uses a combination of non-organic and organic compounds like silicates and phosphates for long-term protection.
How to Choose
You want to make sure that you’re in check with the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s recommendations, when choosing the right fluids. Things to take into consideration:
- Inorganic Acid Technology coolants are not suitable for metals used in modern engines, such as magnesium, Aluminum, Plastic or Rubber. If you have an old truck model, IAT is great, else, it can lead to potential failures.
- IAT are not cost-efficient and will require supplemental additives in the first 25,000 miles interval.
- Aluminum is widely used in modern engine systems. Ensuring use of Nitric-free HOAT coolant is best to avoid reactions. It is also cost-effective and efficient.
- If you have a new engine model, we advise you to go with ECLs (Extended Coolant Life) such as OATs or HOATs.
Tips
- Your engine can suffer from corrosion risk, if you add too much coolant. Ensure optimal coolant levels.
- Do not mix coolants, it can be detrimental and lead to serious problems with the cooling system.
- OATs and HOATs do not require supplemental additives and serve a broad range of engine types. And have an extended service interval of 5 to 7 years (150,000 to 300,000 miles).
- Signs of coolant degradation; unusual smell, rusty or muddy color, frequently dropping coolant levels. In such a case, consider replacing.
- To regularly monitor coolant levels, attach a coolant level sensor. Follow regular maintenance routines.
Best Choices For You
Kal Partz is a leading brand, when it comes to purchasing Heavy-Duty Truck related equipment. Get access to reputable brands like Dormann, Automann, Donaldson, Baldwin, etc and aftermarket options for a range of cooling system products such as, Coolant + Antifreeze, Coolant Element, Coolant Filter, Coolant Level Sensor and much more.
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