What antifreeze to choose for aluminum car radiators

Selecting the appropriate antifreeze for your car’s aluminum radiator is essential to preserving the longevity and best possible performance of your cooling system. Making the right decision can be a little overwhelming with so many options available. This choice can be made easier, though, if you are aware of the variations in antifreeze types and whether or not they work with aluminum radiators.

Because aluminum radiators are lightweight and have excellent heat dissipation capabilities, they are becoming more and more common in contemporary automobiles. Aluminum can be more prone to corrosion when exposed to specific types of antifreeze, despite its durability and cooling effectiveness. For this reason, choosing an antifreeze that is made especially for use with aluminum components is crucial if you want to protect your radiator from damage and extend its lifespan.

Look for antifreeze that is labeled "compatible with aluminum radiators" or "aluminum-safe" when you go shopping. These antifreeze varieties shield the aluminum from pitting and oxidation by containing corrosion inhibitors in their formulation. To make sure the coolant meets your vehicle’s needs, take into account the coolant’s longevity and performance in extreme temperatures, particularly if you live in a region with harsh winters or scorching summers.

For optimum performance, your car’s cooling system needs regular maintenance, which includes flushing and changing the antifreeze at suggested intervals. You can maintain the optimal performance of your car and save money on future repairs by selecting the appropriate antifreeze for your aluminum radiator and adhering to a regular maintenance plan.

Selecting the appropriate antifreeze for aluminum automobile radiators is essential to preserving engine longevity and peak performance. In contrast to conventional copper radiators, aluminum radiators are lightweight and efficient but may be more susceptible to corrosion. For aluminum engines, it is imperative to use an antifreeze designed especially to guard against corrosion and guarantee adequate heat transfer. Seek for antifreeze that provides durable protection against rust and corrosion and is designated as suitable for use with aluminum radiators. You can maintain the best possible condition for your car’s cooling system and dependable performance throughout the year by routinely checking and replacing your antifreeze in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Overview of popular brands

Various brands of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze are used in our nation. Among the most well-liked ones are "Felix," "Alaska," "Syntec," "Long Life," and "Nord." They are distinguished by an ideal balance between cost and quality.

The antifreezes on display are made to withstand the extreme weather in our region. Additionally, the driver can choose the appropriate product for his car’s engine thanks to the developed line of products. The suggested methods not only give the radiator good cooling qualities but also successfully prevent corrosion from forming.

Products that are widely used in our nation today successfully prevent deposits from forming in engine systems, particularly in the water pump, engine compartment, and supply ducts.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using antifreeze?

When selecting a product, it is important to consider the ingredients that make up the substance. The liquid nature of antifreeze, which prevents it from freezing at extremely low temperatures. Many solutions are based on ethylene glycol, and special admixtures, or additives, are added to the composition to guard against harmful effects on heating circuits. These materials are responsible for the car’s long-term stable operation. Since ordinary water lacks these qualities, it is unable to completely protect the motor.

Antifreeze has drawbacks despite its ability to maintain its properties for an extended period of time, as well as serve as a coolant and heat sink. Here, these parameters are important to note:

• low heat capacity;
• when using it, you will need special equipment – a pump. Antifreeze is thicker than water, so the composition needs to be dispersed automatically;
• high fluidity. Special attention should be paid in this regard to you and connections with the radiator;
• Individual refrigerants can be toxic and harmful to human health. Here it is important to note that toxic antifreeze is categorically not worth using in conjunction with hot water supply.

Even though antifreeze has drawbacks, it is still far superior at preventing overheating in aluminum motors and extending their lifespan.

Top up or replace?

Pouring what was previously there is the first thing that comes to mind when searching for the proper coolant! How, only, to discover what was put into the car several years prior? Owners frequently request "antifreeze for Volkswagen." Or, even worse, begin searching for a liquid of a particular color based on the advice of illiterate people.

Readings on the subject of Manufacturers’ Conspiracy: Overheating is a given for modern engines

In the world of cars, this is one of the most persistent myths. It is said that if the fluid had a blue color, then a blue one must also be added. However, the dye—rather than the coolant’s chemical composition—determines its color. Currently, OJ is typically classified into four categories by a group of functional additives! Also, you cannot combine them.

What would happen if a yellow coolant that was created using a different technology was mixed with another yellow one? Additives that are not compatible with one another will start to "fight" and stop functioning as intended. Precipitates may consequently separate from the solution and cause problems, such as with the heater heat exchanger. And you’ll need repairs in the end.

Antifreeze based on ethylene glycol: brands, differences, composition

Nowadays, ethylene glycol-based antifreeze for car radiators is widely available on the market. When used properly, this material has many advantageous properties. The longevity of the cooling system and the performance of the engine are dependent on selecting the appropriate cooling agent.

The low freezing point of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze is contingent upon the substance’s concentration. Between 0 and -70ºC is when the liquid inside the cooling system begins to crystallize.

The car’s operating conditions must be considered when choosing a high-quality antifreeze. It should cool the engine as effectively as possible in the summer. Even in extremely severe frosts in the winter, the liquid shouldn’t freeze.

Types of antifreeze

These days, silicate materials and carbsilicate are the two primary categories of antifreeze. Older cars employ the second kind. Tosol is the most well-known example of this class of means. Silicate antifreezes are not used in foreign cars due to a number of drawbacks.

For new cars imported from overseas, silicate-free antifreeze based on ethylene glycol is recommended. Specific areas on the car are the only places where additives incorporated into the means’ composition are deposited during operation. The presence of organic components in the means’ composition makes this possible. This time, the engine cools completely.

The entire inner surface of the tubes is covered in inorganic components by silicate varieties, which are based on ethylene glycol. They lessen the system’s ability to cool down while also successfully preventing the formation of corrosion.

Composition of antifreeze

Ethylene glycol-based antifreezes have a specific chemical makeup. This determines their primary traits. Ethylene glycol has an oily appearance when it is pure. It has a boiling point of +197ºC and a freezing point of -13ºC.

This stuff is really thick. One potent food poison is ethylene glycol. This material is toxic, particularly when its resource is depleted.

It is necessary to properly dispose of waste antifreezes made of ethylene glycol, whose composition was tainted with heavy metals during operation.

Its freezing point can be considerably lowered when combined with water (down to -70ºC at a 1:2 ratio of water to ethylene glycol). Both inorganic and organic materials can be added. The first choice is the better one.

There are now four different kinds of corrosion inhibitors: carboxylate, conventional, organic, and hybrid. You cannot combine different brands of these tools because the ingredients that make up antifreeze differ.

If they don’t work well together, they will clash and make the drug less effective.

At first glance, ethylene glycol-based antifreeze, whose color is visible during production, appears to be a transparent material. It smells only of something.

Antifreeze has no color, no matter what brand it comes from. Addition of dyes helps to identify its quality.

The quality of the means is categorized by drivers and auto mechanics based on the color that they deem acceptable. Three categories exist for antifreezes.

• Class G11 includes blue and green products. These are the cheapest consumables. They include ethylene glycol and silicate additives. The service life of such antifreezes is about 30 thousand kilometers.
• The G12 class includes red and pink types of substances. They are characterized by higher quality. They are composed of ethylene glycol and organic additives. The service life of such products can reach 150-200 thousand kilometers. However, their cost is much higher.
• There is also a third class – G13. Its composition, in addition to the components listed in the previous section, includes propylene glycol. The coloring of such products is most often characterized by orange and yellow shades.

Labeling system

Dye is an ingredient in all ethylene glycol-based antifreeze for loaded cooling systems and aluminum radiators. They have no effect whatsoever on the substance’s technical properties. The manufacturer is at liberty to select any color they please. Both the addition of colorants and labeling do not have an established standard.

The markings listed above, which are typically examined by drivers and auto mechanics, were previously employed in the German manufacturer’s antifreeze VW coolant. These goods are highly well-liked. Even VW, though, has already modified its specifications.

This well-known manufacturer currently makes three primary classes of organic antifreeze. G12++, G12+++, and G13 are the prefixes for their markings. Consequently, it is more appropriate to consider the advice of the car equipment manufacturer as well as the consumable’s composition before purchasing a cooling system component.

A single marking does not apply to all antifreezes.

Main properties of antifreezes

Antifreeze demonstrates a variety of characteristics while it is working. The standards and allowances set by automakers govern them. It is important to remember that ethylene glycol is poisonous.

This indicator rises as the resource runs out. Waste antifreeze made with ethylene glycol has specific disposal guidelines. There are several unfavorable characteristics attached to them.

Consequently, it is essential to get in touch with a specialized company that will carry out the proper disposal when changing antifreeze.

Consideration must also be given to antifreezes’ foamability. This indicator is 30 cm³ for domestically produced goods and 150 cm³ for imported goods. Antifreeze has a wettability that is two times greater than that of water. As a result, they can seep through even the smallest fissures. This explains why they can still flow outward even when there are microcracks present.

Overview of popular brands

Many brands of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze are used in our nation. Among the most well-liked ones are "Felix," "Alaska," "Syntec," "Long Life," and "Nord." They are distinguished by the ideal balance between cost and quality.

These antifreezes are made to withstand the severe weather in our region. Additionally, the driver can select the appropriate product for his car’s engine from the developed line of goods. The suggested methods not only give the radiator good cooling qualities but also successfully prevent corrosion from forming.

Products that are widely used in our nation today successfully prevent deposits from forming in engine systems, particularly in the water pump, engine compartment, and supply ducts.

Reviews of antifreeze "Syntec" G12

When thinking about your options for ethylene glycol-based antifreeze for your car, you should first take note of products like "Syntec" G12. This product contains a complex of organic additives in its composition. This product is intended for use with various engine types in addition to aluminum motors.

The temperature at which antifreeze crystallizes is -41ºC. The product that is being presented is used by "AvtoVAZ" as the cooling system’s initial filling. Its operating temperature range is broad. The product’s relatively low cost contributes to its popularity.

Parsing antifreeze: advantages, disadvantages and features of the most popular ones

It can be very easy to become confused among the many varieties of antifreeze. Some pour red, some green, and still others prefer blue. Which is the best, and how do they differ from each other?

What is antifreeze?

It’s crucial to first comprehend what antifreeze is. The name means "non-freezing" when translated from English. The motor’s boiling point can reach 150 degrees Celsius, so this unique liquid is meant to keep it cool and prevent overheating. Antifreeze is only required if the air temperature has dropped below zero since it will not freeze. Furthermore, antifreeze contains unique additives that guard against rust and cracking of pipes, hoses, and other components. All year long, the motor can run thanks to antifreeze.

The three most popular varieties of antifreeze, which vary in color, are currently available in stores:

Although they are much less common and used, there are other shades as well.

What is included in the composition?

Ethylene glycol (propylene glycol or ethanediol, as well as other bases) is the primary active component of all antifreezes, regardless of color. Distilled water is used to dilute these alcohol bases. What it is for? The key idea is that the alcohol base cannot tolerate extremely low temperatures in its pure state. The non-freezing threshold is much higher when diluted with water. The alcohol base makes up around 80% of the liquid’s total volume when combined with purified water. Various additives make up the remaining 20%. It is based on the kind of additive that has been added and the antifreeze’s actual color.

What are additives and why are they needed?

Inexperienced, it appears that every additive in antifreeze is an extraneous part. Many drivers believe that the cooling function of alcohol will be perfectly handled by diluting it with water. Although it is true, additives cannot be completely avoided. All hoses, pipes, radiators, and even the engine block will be rapidly destroyed if the composition solely consists of alcohol. Additives shield the engine from the damaging effects of alcohol base, which would cause all engine parts to corrode.

Different additives have various characteristics. The manufacturer’s objective is always the same: to identify a cost-effective one. Additives with varying properties are conveniently colored in widely recognized hues. We must ponder over each of them in great detail.

Blue antifreeze or TOSOL

Since the USSR’s era, blue antifreeze has been the most widely used type. This is a Russian invention known as TOSOL in our nation. However, as you can see, TOSOL doesn’t always have a blue hue; sometimes, it also has red variations. The blue type can endure temperatures between -30 and -40 degrees Celsius. Red functions in the range of -50 to -65 degrees.

Traditional additives, which date back to the first generation, are used by TOSOL. Phosphates, silicates, and other substances make up their composition. On the components of the vehicle cooling system, TOSOL deposits a thin layer. While it was once thought to be an innovative technology, it is now a little out of date.

Antifreeze based on ethyl alcohol

One can make the radiator mixture on their own. You’ll need 40% ethyl alcohol and distilled water for this.

Pouring ready-made, premade mixtures into the heating system is not always feasible. Instead, antifreeze must be used elsewhere. In this instance, a coolant that is simple to make by hand can be used. You may wonder how this is achievable. Everything is very straightforward; for example, coolant is a non-freezing concoction of 40% ethyl alcohol and distilled water. These hand-made antifreeze preparations for the heating system have the following qualities:

• The viscosity of the liquid is slightly higher than that of water, but much lower than that of purchased antifreeze;
• the fluidity is less than antifreeze, which allows to slightly reduce the requirements for tightness of circuit connections. Rubber seals are not damaged when using this particular fluid;
• Alcohol-based mixtures have another advantage, which makes them an excellent choice for metal radiators. The fact that alcohol prevents the development of corrosion, and this is important for systems, the destruction of which can lead to a variety of troubles;
• In this case, it is recommended to use hard water for the heating system, which together with alcohol prevents the formation of scale on the internal surfaces. The sediment is formed in solid form, during preventive flushing it is very easily removed from the system;
• when the alcohol content in the mixture of 30 percent or more, it does not evaporate separately;
• boiling point of alcohol coolant is approximately equal to the value for ordinary water. That is, when the temperature rises to 85 degrees Celsius, there is no boiling with the formation of large masses of steam;
• alcohol in the coolant reduces thermal expansion, that is, when freezing heating pipes and other elements are not damaged.

Many experts advise choosing the alcohol mixture over the water option if you have to choose between the two (assuming the boiler’s design permits it). Based on the anticipated temperature values, the ratios of such a composition are computed:

It is imperative to remove hot water from the radiator in the event that the boiler is turned off for any reason, as this could lead to pipe bursts.

• when the temperature drops to minus 10.6 degrees – the alcohol content should be 20.3 percent;
• when it drops to minus 23.6 degrees – the alcohol content is 33.8 percent;
• When freezing to minus 28.7 degrees – the alcohol content should be 39 percent;
• at minus 33.9 percent – the alcohol content is 46.3 percent.

The volume of coolant for aluminum radiators should be determined by using the fact that 960 milliliters of anhydrous alcohol are contained in one liter of 96% ethyl alcohol. 96 must be divided by 33 to obtain a 33% alcohol solution, which has a volume of 2.9 liters. One liter of alcohol and one liter of water combined yields a 33% alcohol solution, which works well as a coolant when added to an aluminum radiator for a heating system. Even down to minus 22.5 degrees Celsius, the resultant solution will not freeze.

When is it inappropriate to use antifreeze? However, antifreeze is not always a convenient and efficient coolant for the heating system. If you’re still deciding what to use, take these things into account:

Figuring out the radiator capacity that is needed.

• It is categorically impossible to take antifreeze if ionic (electrolysis) boilers are used. In them, heating is carried out by passing a current through the entire volume of the boiler vessel, and this is unacceptable for antifreeze. When designing a home heating system, make sure that it can be used with a certain type of coolant;
• antifreeze must not be used in an open system. But in this case, such a ban applies only to those mixtures that are produced on the basis of poisonous ethylene glycol, the rest can be used in open circuits, if there are indications of the manufacturer for this;
• You cannot reduce the temperature more than to minus 20 degrees Celsius. This can seriously reduce the characteristics of additives included in the composition, that is, inside the system there will be centers of corrosion, scale will appear;
• it is not recommended to use linen winding, which is coated with ordinary oil paint on top, when making sealed joints. When antifreeze is used in heating aluminum radiators it is allowed to use linen winding only with sealants, because oil paint is easily corroded by antifreeze, and this leads to complete loss of tightness;
• antifreeze cannot be used when galvanized fittings and pipes are used for the heating circuit;
• when the boiler heats the coolant to a temperature above 70 degrees Celsius, antifreeze can no longer be used. This value is the limit for most of such mixtures, which have the highest thermal expansion at higher heat.

3 questions to automakers

What can be added to a specific brand of car’s cooling system? We posed three queries to the auto industry:

The last question was addressed by every automaker in a similar manner: adding any liquids to the cooling system is not permitted aside from those that are advised. Only Belgian Nissan L255N, Renault Glaceol type D, and PSA group cars Freecor DSR are required by Nissan. Only fluid that has been "approved" by Volvo needs to be added.

Some manufacturers only specify the type of liquid, giving consumers some flexibility. Brilliance recommended conventional, Mitsubishi recommended hybrid, and Porsche, Hyundai, Skoda, and PSA recommended lobrid. The appropriate fluids "without amines" for Subaru are based on ethylene glycol.

What kind of coolant, then, ought to you search for in stores?

Carboxylate antifreezes from ROLF Lubricants GmbH

Utilizing the most recent developments in organic additives, ROLF G12+ Red coolant is created. Principal benefits:

• effective protection of engine parts, prevention of deposits in the engine compartment, in cooling channels, in the pump, in the radiator;
• Compatibility with plastic and rubber components of the cooling system;
• application in modern internal combustion engines with increased requirements to antifreeze properties;
• effective cooling of thermally loaded and high-speed engines.

Technical details of ROLF G12+ Red carboxylate antifreeze:

Parameter	Value
Liquid color	Red
Density at +20°C, g/cm3	1,073
Boiling point, °C	110
Alkalinity reserve, cm3	5,89
Hydrogen index, pH	7,81
Crystallization onset temperature, °С	-40

Varieties of antifreeze

Two factors set all antifreezes apart from one another: composition and added additives. This distribution allows for the differentiation of the following compositions:

• glycerine. Products are completely harmless and non-toxic. Perfectly dissolved and have a long service life. The product does not form harmful deposits;
• ethylene glycol. This base requires special caution on the part of users as it may be toxic. The cost of the substance is low. The composition can be used in heating circuits;
• propylene glycol. Such substances are very expensive, but also completely harmless. Suitable for long periods of operation and completely prevent sludge buildup.

It is important to select the safest and harmlessst compositions for aluminum motors. This is because the thin metal can get corroded by toxic antifreezes.

Why do you need additives at all?

Since antifreeze is just ethylene glycol and water, many people may be wondering why these additives are even necessary. After all, it seems like everything works just fine! Neither boiling nor freezing occurs! Why are additives necessary?

I too had this question, and this is what I discovered:

Despite its seeming perfection, the ethylene glycol + water combination is not ideal! The main thing to note is that this liquid turns out to be very active! If so, in a matter of months, it will corrode all of your metal and rubber pipes and tubes, ruin radiators, and even ruin the engine block! Scientists started adding different additives that don’t "manifest" corrosion and other undesirable phenomena in an effort to temper their aggressiveness.

Not all additives are created equal; there is always a quest for the ideal one that will be affordable and efficiently block all of the undesirable effects of antifreeze. A universal method was used to differentiate between them: additives were painted a specific color to indicate a liquid’s capabilities. Hence, the hues of red, green, or blue emerged.

Antifreeze G11, G12 and G13 – what"s the difference?

Two inquiries concerning the varieties and hues of antifreeze are typically of interest to automobile owners:

1. What is the difference between antifreeze G11, G12 and G13?
2. Which antifreeze is better to pour: red, green or blue?

Antifreezes are, to begin with, colorless liquids at first. Additionally, paint is only added to them to help them separate from other liquids—including alcoholic ones.

Second, there are no established guidelines for colors. As a result, it is impossible to determine for sure which antifreeze is a part of which technology. Antifreeze can be painted in any color by any manufacturer.

All we can discuss is what the majority of serious manufacturers consider to be standard practice. It operates as follows:

• G11 antifreeze is blue, or green, or blue-green.
• All antifreezes G12 (both with and without pluses) – red with all shades: from orange to lilac.
• G13 coolants are purple or pink, but theoretically they can be of any color.

Regarding the optimal antifreeze color to use—red, green, or blue—we can offer the following straightforward guidance:

1. If the car radiator is made of copper or brass, then it will be better to use red antifreeze (carboxylate);
2. If the cooling radiator is made of aluminum and its alloys – pour green or blue (silicate).

The only difference between red and green antifreeze is that the type of coolant to use depends on the materials used in the car’s cooling system components. Conversely, lobrid antifreezes G12++ and G13 will work flawlessly in every car.

Reviews about antifreeze "Syntec" G12

While deciding which ethylene glycol-based antifreeze for your car, you should first take into consideration products like "Syntec" G12. This product contains a complex of organic additives in its composition. This cure is intended for both aluminum and other types of motors.

The temperature at which antifreeze crystallizes is -41ºC. AvtoVAZ uses this product as the cooling system’s initial fill. Its operating temperature range is broad. The product’s relatively low cost contributes to its popularity.

Conditions of use of the coolant

It’s important to keep in mind a few requirements when selecting antifreeze for aluminum radiators. These guidelines must be followed in order to improve the circuit’s efficiency and safety:

• the heating system should be equipped with a more powerful pump for circulation than it is required for conventional water heating. If the length of the circuit is quite large, it is necessary to put an external installation of a circulation pump;
• a special expansion tank is required, i.e. a spacious expansomate with a volume about twice as large as that required for a traditional water circuit;
• it is recommended to use large volume aluminum radiators, as well as heating pipes;
• It is impossible to install automatic air vents, when using antifreeze in the system can be mounted only manual valves, for example, Maevsky;
• when making detachable joints it is possible to use sealing gaskets only from paronite, chemically resistant rubber, Teflon. Many experts advise using linen winding, which is sealed with a sealant resistant to ethylene glycol (if a coolant based on it is used);
• Dilute antifreeze with water is not recommended, but if it is allowed by its composition, you can only use purified, distilled water. Melt, rain water is categorically not suitable for this;
• before pouring antifreeze for aluminum radiators, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work. The entire circuit, including the boiler, should be flushed with water. Replacement periods are regulated by antifreeze manufacturers, but experts recommend to do it once in two or three years, you can not leave the coolant in the system for a longer time;
• after the antifreeze is poured into the system, you should not immediately give a very high load on the boiler, that is, put it at a high temperature. In this case, it is recommended to make the increase gradually, so that the coolant has time to warm up smoothly. This liquid has a lower heat capacity than water, so this condition must be strictly observed.

It is appropriate to discuss the water coolant separately. To avoid burst pipes, all hot water in the heating system must be drained if the boiler is stopped for an extended period of time during the cold season for various reasons.

How should I select the coolant for my radiator when heating my home? Many considerations must be made when selecting coolant for the heating system, whether it be antifreeze or another type. Since antifreeze should not be used in the water system, this should be done during the entire heating system’s design phase.

If the temperature in the cold season in the general circuit will not fall below five degrees of heat, then it is best to prefer such a type of coolant as water, but from its composition should be maximally removed all salt compounds. When the temperature in the house is expected to drop to minus values, only antifreeze can be used, as water under such conditions will simply freeze. To avoid freezing, it is possible to completely drain all water from the heating system, but there is one serious disadvantage here. The fact is that the radiators in this case will be filled with air, and this will lead to the appearance of corrosion in the presence of high humidity.

Another method of preventing freezing when using water as a coolant is to install special electric heaters that will be managed by installed temperature sensors or remote controls. It is less expensive to install a system made for antifreeze right away because this option enables you to keep the system’s temperature above 5 degrees Celsius even though the cost of the heating circuit increases significantly. Consider these features when selecting the appropriate antifreeze for the circuit:

• the extremely low temperature that can be withstood by the coolant;
• The composition of the fluid, its purpose, that is, for what kind of system it is designed;
• the purpose of the antifreeze. Whether the coolant is designed to work in aluminum radiators, how it interacts with plastic pipes, rubber, steel elements, etc;
• the length of time for the use of antifreeze;
• safety of the heat transfer medium. Attention should be paid to how safe the fluid is for human consumption when it needs to be drained after the service life is over).

However, the color of radiator antifreeze doesn’t matter; it just indicates the brand to which the liquid belongs.

When installing a heating system, the coolant selection plays a significant role in the operation of the entire circuit. The effectiveness, safety, and longevity of the home heating system all influence the right purchase. Modern aluminum radiators are getting more and more popular, and you can use a variety of coolants with them. This includes regular tap water, antifreeze made of different ingredients, and a unique concoction of water and ethyl alcohol. The selection of coolant is primarily based on the system’s operating conditions, as precise filling isn’t always feasible.

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Tosol – always the right choice

By comparison, TOSOL is one instance of a brand name that has evolved into a category name, similar to Xerox and "Xerox," Scotch tape and "Scotch tape," etc. The Institute of Organic Synthesis owns the trademark TOSOL, which is derived from the words "tos-" and the common suffix "-ol" for organic compounds (ethanol, methylbutanol, etc.).

This is a 1970s formulation based on cast iron (block) and loads typical for the units of that era, developed in the USSR for the engines of that era. "Tosols" are just not suitable for use in any modern engine that uses aluminum or another non-ferrous metal, and this is especially true for boosted engines (turbocharged systems). Even in a new LADA car (whose engines, incidentally, use carboxylate antifreezes), the person who pours tosol will face corrosion, cavitation, and deposits in the system.

Thus, disregard the term "tosol." Purchasing "tosols" is pointless regardless of the age of your car, as there are far superior products available, like carboxylate or lobrid antifreeze that is approved by your vehicle.

How to choose the right coolant for an aluminum motor?

Selecting the appropriate product for the car is crucial. A motor may malfunction or even deform if a dangerous coolant is filled. You can purchase the ideal product for every attribute by following a few tips:

1. Many refrigerants have different coloration. Often, the color scheme corresponds to the class of liquid. G 11 is characterized by green and blue colors, for G 12, 12+ and 12++ manufacturers choose red, orange, sometimes green shade. G 13 – mostly red, sometimes violet, lilac shades.
2. It is important to study the composition of the product. For aluminum motors, you should choose a minimally toxic product.
3. It is necessary to take into account what is added to the antifreeze as additives.

Verifying that the drugs being sold in the store are authentic is crucial. In order to accomplish this, make sure the canister is in good condition and request a quality certificate from the seller.

Antifreeze for aluminum radiators of cars – how to choose

It frequently occurs that car owners pour regular water into their aluminum radiators in place of antifreeze. Consequently, these acts severely harm the car, shorten the equipment’s lifespan, and offer no protection against corrosion. I discovered that drivers’ main concern when I asked them why they didn’t buy antifreeze was that it would damage their aluminum engine.

Actually, all that is necessary to keep the car safe is to know which antifreeze to use. The product that serves as the refrigerant’s foundation should be the basis for the decision. Since there are many distinct coolants available today, let’s focus on which formulations will work best.

Labeling system

Dye is an ingredient in all ethylene glycol-based antifreeze for loaded cooling systems and aluminum radiators. They have no effect whatsoever on the substance’s technical properties. The manufacturer’s preference for one color over another determines the selection. There isn’t a widely agreed upon standard for colorant addition or labeling.

In the past, German manufacturers of antifreeze VW coolant used the aforementioned markings, which are typically noticed by drivers and auto mechanics. These methods are widely used. Even VW, though, has already modified its specifications. This well-known manufacturer currently produces three primary classes of organic antifreeze. G12++, G12+++, and G13 are the prefixes used in their marking. Consequently, it is more appropriate to consider the advice of the car equipment manufacturer as well as the consumable’s composition before purchasing a cooling system component. A single marking does not apply to all antifreezes.

Antifreeze Type	Advantages
Ethylene Glycol	Common, provides excellent freeze protection and heat transfer, compatible with aluminum
Propylene Glycol	Less toxic than ethylene glycol, biodegradable, but slightly less efficient in extreme cold
Organic Acid Technology (OAT)	Extended lifespan, aluminum-friendly, fewer maintenance intervals
Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)	Combines OAT and IAT benefits, balanced protection, and longer-lasting

Maintaining the longevity and effectiveness of your cooling system depends on selecting the proper antifreeze for your aluminum car radiator. Aluminum radiators’ superior heat-dissipating qualities and lightweight design have made them more and more popular. For best results, though, they need particular kinds of antifreeze.

Compatibility of the antifreeze with the aluminum radiator is one of the most crucial factors to take into account. Compared to conventional copper or brass radiators, aluminum radiators are more susceptible to corrosion from specific antifreeze brands. To prevent any potential damage, choose antifreeze that is labeled as "compatible with aluminum radiators" or "aluminum-safe."

Additionally, be mindful of the composition and additives of the antifreeze. In order to provide additional defense against rust and scale buildup, certain antifreezes include corrosion inhibitors and other additives. These additives can help your radiator last longer and avoid clogs, which can cause overheating and other problems with your cooling system.

Finally, when selecting antifreeze, take local driving conditions and climate into account. Various antifreeze formulations are engineered to function best within particular temperature ranges. To keep your radiator from cracking in below-freezing temperatures, use antifreeze with a lower freezing point in colder climates. Conversely, an antifreeze with a higher boiling point will help keep your engine cool in extremely hot weather if you live in a warmer climate.

Recall that selecting the appropriate antifreeze is not the only crucial aspect of maintaining and inspecting your cooling system on a regular basis. You can guarantee a smooth and trouble-free driving experience by taking the time to choose the right antifreeze for your aluminum car radiator and keeping up with routine maintenance.

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