Whether is it possible to mix antifreeze of different colors?

What is antifreeze?

Careful control is carried out and the technical abilities of the car are checked with using different non-freezing liquids, even on the stage of the car production. Therefore, automobile concerns can often recommend a certain type of antifreeze for a particular brand and model of the car. Before answering question: can you mix different color antifreeze? It is necessary to determine the main differences of antifreeze depending on its color.

Firstly, antifreeze is It is a coolant that protects the engine from overheating, dissipates heat, and prevents liquids from freezing.

Which coolant types are suitable for your vehicle? Can you mix coolant colors?

Colors are not just for fun. They are an important classifier. Coolants are divided into three groups: OAT, IAT and combined. The OAT coolants are made from organic acids, while IAT coolants are made from inorganic additives. Combined coolants are very rare and are a mixture of both compounds. However, mixing OAT and IAT coolants is not recommended. Hybrid coolants have a balanced and proven composition. What happens if you mix coolant of these two types? It will cause a chemical reaction, the formation of deposits, foam, and clots, which impairs heat dissipation and can lead to engine overheating or radiator damage.

The type of coolant recommended by the car manufacturer will be specified in your car's manual. Therefore, this is the most important thing. Color for non-freezed is not the primary feature already. Officially, classification by goal is no longer valid, so you should pay attention to the type and composition of the fluid. However, some manufacturers still adhere to it. There are blue, green, yellow, purple, pink, orange, and red coolants.

• The blue or turquoise-colored antifreeze is the most common and has a standard and simple chemical composition. It costs less than others and is often classified as G11. It usually is supported by Audi, Porsche and other European car models.
• Green antifreeze has a less depressing effect on the engine than previous. When using green and blue antifreeze, a surface film is formed on the inside of the parts, which protects the parts from damage and corrosion, but at the same time reduces heat dissipation. It is usually supported by most Asian manufacturers, including Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Subaru.
• Yellow and purple antifreeze have almost identical characteristics. Both of them are new representatives on the market not so long ago, and not all car owners use them. Both belong to the category of G13. The main feature of this category of antifreeze is its chemical composition. Instead of widespread ethylene glycol, propylene glycol is used here. It has lower chemical activity and is more environmentally friendly. It is typically suitable for all cars.
• Red or pink antifreeze is classified as G12 according to the international classification system. Their chemical composition is dominated by organic additives and carboxylic acid. It is because of that, when using antifreeze, the film is not formed on the parts and in consequence, increases the heat removal.

Is it possible to base this on the color of the coolant? The short answer is no, you cannot rely on the color of the coolant, as it is an unreliable way to determine the type or compatibility.

Does the color of the antifreeze matter, and can different colors be mixed?

So, the main question is, can you mix coolant colors? Not at all, because of the difference in the additives that are in the chemical composition of each type of antifreeze, a chemical reaction may be undesirable. For example, the liquid may foam, or to form a copious precipitate. 

As we have already mentioned, the main thing is not the color, but the type. Therefore, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the table, in which we have indicated which types of coolant can be mixed. Of course, you can mix different brands of coolant if they are of the same type. The brands differ in technology and possibly in raw materials, but the amount of certain compounds in the fluids will be standard. Therefore, such a combination will not cause any critical changes in the engine's performance.

In most cases, it is bad to mix coolant. If it turned out that the necessary antifreeze wasn’t within reach or in the store, and you needed it very much, then nothing remained how to mix it. Operating the vehicle in such fluid must be short-term. After this, the mixture should be drained and the engine cooling system washed as thoroughly as possible.

How do I flush the system before changing the coolant, and what is the importance of timely coolant changes?

Changing the coolant regularly is key to the longevity of the engine and cooling system. If you have mixed antifreeze or want to change it, flush the system. A special flushing agent removes rust, scale, old antifreeze and oil residues. The liquid is filled in instead of the coolant, works for ~10-30 minutes, and then is drained.

The short answer to the question "Can you mix antifreeze colors?" is yes, but be attentive to the type of coolant