Antifreeze is an essential fluid in your vehicle to protect against temperature extremes. It keeps your car from overheating in the summer while safeguarding against freezing in the winter.
But, just like with engine oil, there are many different types of antifreeze. Using the right formulation for your make and model is of the utmost importance.
This begs the question, can you mix antifreeze? After all, you may not know exactly what type is in your cooling system right now - but you know you need a top-off. So what happens when you mix antifreeze?
This guide to mixing antifreeze will cover everything you need to know. We generally do not recommend mixing different antifreeze colours. Now, if your question is do I need to mix antifreeze with water, that’s a different story.
We’ll walk you through how to mix antifreeze below and show you why our car antifreeze here at Jennychem is the #1 choice in the UK. No matter the formulation you need we’ve got it for you!
First things first - what is antifreeze, and why do I need to put antifreeze in my car? This specialised liquid maintains engine temperature stability in all seasons.
So, what is antifreeze made of that makes it so powerful? Common ingredients are ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, silicates and phosphates, water, and in some cases, organic acid technology (OAT) inhibitors.
All of these work in synergy to lower the freezing point of water and raise its boiling point. This prevents the engine’s coolant from freezing in cold weather, which could cause damage from ice expansion. It then prevents overheating in scorching summer temperatures.
But that’s not all it does. It also uses corrosion inhibitors to protect metal components in the engine like the radiator, water pump, and cylinder heads. This reduces the risk of rust and scaling, which could block coolant flow and lead to reduced efficiency or engine failure.
It’s important to note that antifreeze vs coolant are not the same thing, although they’re closely intertwined. Antifreeze is the raw product you buy, whereas coolant is the mixed concoction you actually put in your engine. So, do I need to mix antifreeze with water?
We’ll talk about mixing antifreeze colours in a moment as that’s an entirely separate topic - but do I need to mix antifreeze with water? It’s possible, but it all depends on the specific product you’ve purchased - concentrated antifreeze or a pre-mixed coolant.
Concentrated antifreeze does need to be diluted before adding it to your vehicle’s cooling system, usually at a 50/50 ratio with water. The reason all antifreeze doesn’t come pre-mixed is that all climates are unique, and you can tailor the concentration to your vehicle’s needs.
For example, you may want to use our Blue Antifreeze at a 1:1 ratio for protection to -40 degrees - but would only need a 1:2 dilution in climates down to -20 degrees. Meanwhile, you’d want to use the antifreeze neat if your region gets down to -70 degrees.
Pre-mixed antifreeze, on the other hand, is already blended with water at a certain ratio. As you can imagine it’s a far more convenient option but you lose a bit of control.
We’ll talk more about this later on as we walk you through how to mix antifreeze, but you always need to use distilled water to protect your cooling system from the minerals that are found in tap water.
These can wreak havoc by causing scale build-up, corrosion, and blockages over time. Distilled water is free from these impurities so you can rest assured the coolant flows efficiently and will maintain the longevity of your engine’s components.
That being said, can you mix antifreeze colours?
Now, let’s pivot to discuss the various antifreeze colours you have at your disposal and whether mixing them is a good idea or not. Can you mix pink and blue antifreeze? Can you mix red and blue antifreeze? Typically, the answer is going to be no - we’ll explain why below.
Each antifreeze colour represents a specific formulation tailored for different vehicles and cooling system needs. You’ll find blue, red, pink, and in some cases, green, orange, and more.
Green antifreeze is typically used in older vehicles and contains inorganic additive technology (IAT) to resist corrosion. Meanwhile, pink or yellow antifreeze contains hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT), which combines aspects of both IAT and OAT for the best of both worlds.
The point is, the different colours serve different purposes. So, what happens when you mix antifreeze colours? More specifically, why is it bad to mix different colour antifreeze?
Mixing different colours - or more specifically, different formulations - of antifreeze can cause chemical reactions that undermine their effectiveness.
Let’s say you tried to combine IAT (green) with OAT (orange) antifreeze. The end results would be a disaster - you’d inadvertently create a thick, gel-like sludge that clogs the cooling system, blocking coolant flow and causing the engine to overheat.
Removing the sludge would be difficult and costly, often requiring not only a complete coolant flush but potential repairs. You wouldn’t be protecting your engine if you were to mix incompatible antifreezes, either, as it would disrupt the corrosion inhibitors within each type.
This essentially puts your engine at risk of rust and scale build-up within the cooling system - neither of which is ideal. So, the short answer to, can you mix antifreeze? No. That being said, there are scenarios where it may not be the end of the world.
Let’s say you found different antifreeze products that share the same base technology (like OAT). Mixing them is less likely to cause harmful reactions, although it may still slightly alter the coolant’s performance characteristics.
But even in this situation, we still advise car owners to use the same brand and formulation for consistency and optimal performance. The best antifreeze is just a click away at Jennychem, so you can stock up and keep your cooling system running smoothly.
We’ll show you how to mix antifreeze below once your order arrives.
Choosing the ideal antifreeze that’s compatible with your vehicle’s cooling system - and the existing coolant in your car - is essential. Once you’ve done that, you can learn how to mix antifreeze below.
But if you still need to source antifreeze, here’s what separates our selection at Jennychem from the rest…
Jennychem has more than 35 years of experience in providing chemical solutions to individuals and businesses alike across the UK. You’ll get top-tier products at a competitive price with exceptional support along the way.
So, which engine coolant for my car is optimal? We’ve got a few different types to choose from, but remember - personalised assistance is just a click or call away! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re uncertain about which is right for you:
Now, how much is antifreeze at Jennychem? You can expect to pay as little as £10.50! But, make no mistake, you’re still getting a dependable, long-lasting solution. Invest in your vehicle’s performance and longevity. Learn more about how to mix antifreeze below.
So, how much coolant should I put in my car? We touched on this a bit earlier but 50/50 ratios work best in most climates, balancing freeze protection with effective cooling properties.
But, those in extremely cold climates may need a more concentrated solution with a 60/40 ratio. As we said already, always use distilled water to prevent mineral build-up.
Use a clean, non-galvanised container and slowly pour the measured antifreeze and distilled water together. The keyword here is slowly. This ensures even distribution and prevents air pockets.
Stir gently to fully mix the two components together for a homogeneous mixture. If you’re mixing large amounts for storage, the container must be airtight and stored in a cool, shaded area to protect against degradation. Learn more about how long does antifreeze last in our blog.
Another common question we get is, where does antifreeze go a car? Your reservoir will likely be marked with the universal vehicle “coolant symbol” under your hood.
Pour slowly to avoid spilling, and monitor the reservoir level to ensure you don’t overfill. Then, securely replace the radiator cap, as a loose cap can lead to pressure loss and coolant leaks.
Make sure you’re periodically checking coolant levels and topping off as needed. You should completely change coolant every 2-5 years depending on the formulation.
Our blog has additional tips on how to dispose of antifreeze, can you put antifreeze in screenwash, and more. But at this point, it’s time we wrapped up our guide to mixing antifreeze colours with a few parting thoughts.
So, can you mix antifreeze? In closing, we do not recommend mixing antifreeze colours as this could create harmful reactions that not only leave your vehicle exploded to overheating/freezing, but causing more costly repairs down the line.
That being said you do need to mix antifreeze with distilled water (not tap) at a ratio that aligns with your specific climate. But, it all starts with sourcing the ideal formulation for your car’s cooling system, and your search ends here at Jennychem.
From antifreeze to ad blue, screen wash, and even car cleaning products like snow foam - Jennychem is your one-stop shop for all the fluids and solutions to keep your vehicle looking and performing its best for the long haul.
So, protect your engine with peace of mind and trust Jennychem for high-quality antifreeze options designed to meet the needs of any vehicle. Shop today or reach out for a recommendation!
