Antifreeze Products (Coolant): The 7 Best Picks for Your Engine’s Health
All vehicles with engines generate a lot of heat. In order to work properly, that heat has to be removed from the engine. Antifreeze is used for that purpose. It will transfer the heat to the radiator, cool down, and return to the engine block when ready. You may believe that all antifreeze products are the same, but this isn’t the case. As a matter of fact, there are countless options and packages that are completely unique. Below you will see 7 antifreeze products that we liked the most.
Top 7 Antifreeze (Coolant) Review
Here is the comparison table showing you how the selected antifreeze/coolant products compare one to another:
1. Mopar Automatic Transmission Fluid
Mopar Automatic Transmission Fluid is the latest addition to the market. It is made using ATF4 technology, which makes it ideal for old and new cars and trucks. The fluid is one of the best-developed options with countless positive feedbacks of the owners who have been using it. The package is excellent, and it comes in 5 liters can. All you have to do is to pour it and you are done. The fluid will do the hard work instead of you.
Then we have the overall attention to detail. The fluid is tested by countless parties and offers a special chemical composition, which makes it more durable, safer, and more reliable than other products on the market. It can be used on cars with 150.000 miles on the clock or even more. The ATF4 standard is the latest at the moment and the one that deserves your full attention. In our tests, we were unable to find any severe issues or downsides of the fluid in question. All we can add is our warm recommendation.
Pros:
- Quality
- Value for money
- Great packaging
- Customer support
Cons:
- Lack of additional details
2. Ford Genuine Fluid VC-3DIL-B Orange Pre-Diluted Antifreeze/Coolant
Ford Genuine Fluid VC-3DIL-B Orange Pre-Diluted Antifreeze/Coolant is one of those products that has a lot to offer. It has the best chemical composition you can find, and it is suitable for temperatures between 34 and 265 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it ideal for all petrol and diesel engines and for drivers who will use it throughout the year. Then we have the advantage that comes as one of the simplest benefits here. The coolant is pre-diluted, so you don’t have to add water or anything similar. All you have to do is to pour it, and you are ready.
Did we mention that this is a high-end product? It prevents rust or deposit buildup, which we especially like. The secret is in the ethylene glycol-based base that is one of a kind. You can see that the orange color is present. This should help you understand that the cooler must not be mixed with other coolants of the colors. All you need is this one, and you can use it on newer or older vehicles.
Pros:
- Won’t promote rust
- A bittering agent is added
- Pre-diluted
- Massive temperature range
Cons:
- One size only
- Isn’t suitable for old cars
3. Engine Ice TYDS008 High-Performance Coolant
This right here is a bit unique product. The first thing we will reveal is the fact you can use it on racing cars and trucks, but you can also use it on your family saloon. In addition, the coolant can be used on motorcycles, ATVs and etc. In simple words, you can use it on any vehicle that requires one of the best coolants ever created. The temperature range in which this product can be used is between 26 and 256 degrees Fahrenheit, and the performances are at the highest level possible.
Keep in mind that the product is approved by CSS and ASRA for races. This is definitely an important element we must mention and include in the review. The next best thing is the chemical composition of the antifreeze. What this means is that the coolant won’t damage seals or rubber pieces inside the system. It decreases the water pump failure risk, and it is immune to corrosion and prevents boiling. Keep in mind that you can have it in one of 4 different packages. You can choose between a single 2, 3, or 6 pack.
Pros:
- Different versions available
- CSS and ASRA approved
- Sensitive to the rubber seals
- Versatile
Cons:
- Some packages are expensive
- Poor customer support
4. Zerex Asian Red Antifreeze/Coolant, Ready to Use – 1gal
The 4th product here is pre-diluted and comes with an outstanding capability to remove heat from the engine and to make sure it is in optimal condition all the time. You can use it for 150000 miles or 5 years, and there are important chemical compounds that will protect all sensitive components in the system. We liked the fact this product is suitable for all Asian cars, and it is generally very affordable.
Inside, you see the bittering agent known as Denatonium Benzoate. Customer support is above average, and the attention to detail is at the highest level. It is definitely a worthy consideration that has to be on your list as well as on ours. We liked using the antifreeze here, and we liked testing it for a long period of time. The bottom part is that the product is an appealing choice you can make.
Pros:
- Denatonium Benzoate
- For 5 years or 150000 miles
- Pre-diluted
- Affordable
Cons:
- User instructions
- For Asian cars only
5. Honda 08C50-C321S02 Coolant Ready to Use
Honda 08C50-C321S02 Coolant Ready to Use is a bit more unique and different coolant of this type. It is primarily designed for motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles made by this giant. It has an all-new formula that should last longer, provide better results, and stay more operational in more demanding situations. It is a product that Honda made for their vehicles and the one that has all the ingredients you may need.
It is available in 1 or 2 quarts packages, and the price is affordable, although more expensive than similar products. In essence, you get 50/50 pre-diluted coolant of the modern generation that can be used in all newer vehicles made by this brand and can meet even the harshest requirements. In addition, these products are a replacement for the 08C50-C321S01 coolant.
Pros:
- Genuine Honda coolant
- Suitable for most motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles
- 2 sizes available
- New formula
Cons:
- Small bottle
- Isn’t suitable for Honda cars
6. Genuine Ford Fluid VC-7-B Gold Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant
The first thing to mention is not to mix this coolant to the one we mentioned earlier, which comes in orange color. This one is yellow, and it is designed for all types of vehicles and recommended by the Ford Company. Then we can see that the coolant is pre-diluted and ready to be used as soon as you get the package. However, there are a few main benefits this product offers. It is developed to makes sure there is no rust in the cooling system of a car. It is also a cable to be used through a year and can meet the highest requirements and withstand the lowest temperatures.
The coolant comes with an all-new formula which is different than other products have to offer. This also means that you cannot mix it with the other coolants, and you can use it for all types of cars, older and newer. Also, it is suitable for diesel and petrol-powered cars of all generations.
Pros:
- New formula
- Recommended by Ford
- Prevents corrosion
- Can be used through a year
Cons:
- Packaging may vary
7. Mopar 10 Year/150,000 Mile Coolant 50/50 Premixed
Mopar 10 Year/150,000 Mile Coolant 50/50 Premixed is considered to be one of the most durable and the most appealing investments you can make at this point. What this means is that the coolant is ready to be used for 10 years or 150.000 miles, as you like. There is no need to add the fact you will make a wise investment, and you will be ready to use the coolant literally anywhere, for any vehicles and for any purpose.
The product itself is straightforward. You get it in one can, and it is pre-diluted. Make sure not to add water or anything else while pouring the coolant into the system. It will mess with the chemical composition and decrease performance. Other than that, we don’t have additional points to reveal. The product is tested and approved by some of the largest car companies. It is also one of the most affordable coolants available on the market and the one we liked a lot.
Pros:
- Pre-diluted
- 10 years lifespan
- Affordable
- Rust prevention
Cons:
- Obsolete packaging
- Difficult to pour to the system
Buyers guide for the best antifreeze
If you make a mistake in choosing a coolant for your car, you are at a higher risk of causing severe damage to the car and to the engine. That’s why we will share the ultimate buyer’s guide with you. Here you can find all the essentials you will need at some moment or another and all the factors you need to take into consideration when looking for the best antifreeze.
50:50 mix ratio
The first thing you will have to know is that all antifreeze product has to be mixed with distilled water before use. This is mandatory and the most important thing to remember. Now, keep in mind that some products are pre-distilled and they are ready to be used as soon as you get them. Others aren’t, so you will have to add distilled water before pouring them into the cooling system.
Some drivers use ordinary water, which isn’t recommended. It will cause all sorts of debris inside the system and require you to flush it at some point. This is expensive and something you need to avoid.
Never mix different antifreeze products
Here we have another important thing to reveal. You must not mix different types of antifreeze products. As you were able to see above, these coolants come in red, yellow, green, blue and many other colors. Only the same colors can be mixed. Different colors must never get mixed inside the engine. If you mix them, the cooling capability of a car will be significantly decreased, and you will notice overheating of your vehicle.
Here is the great video showing you how to change antifreeze/coolant in your car:
Use water when you must
In some cases, you will have to find an alternative as soon as possible. You won’t be able to find an antifreeze anywhere, but you still have to go to the mechanic. When this happens all you have to do is to pour water to the system. It can provide coolant to the engine for some time, and it won’t cause any issues. Of course, you should replace it with proper antifreeze and distilled water mixture as soon as possible. Cooling capabilities are decreased, so make sure to avoid adding too much throttle and drive slow.
Antifreeze for aluminum cylinder heads
Here is one thing you probably don’t know. Older cars have cylinder heads that are made from metal, steel, or some other material but not from aluminum. As such, they require older or special types of antifreeze to maintain the temperature. Those products will have additional chemicals that should prevent rust and corrosion. But, newer vehicles have aluminum cylinder heads, so they require a different type of antifreeze. In other words, the type of the engine and a cylinder head will determine which antifreeze your car needs. Once again, these products must not be mixed, and they must be used accordingly.
Different applications
Some antifreeze products are made for cars, while others are made for trucks. Third, they are made for motorcycles. It is important to use a proper antifreeze that has been developed for your specific type of vehicle. You won’t make a huge mistake if you pour antifreeze for newer motorcycles into a newer car. You will still get the same performances. On the other hand, you will need a lot of packages due to the fact motorcycles have smaller cooling systems, so you need to purchase 7 units instead of one which is made for cars only. This can increase the cost significantly, and it is a wise thing to avoid it.
Lifespan of antifreeze
Some products of this kind can last for 10 years, and they will still be able to meet the requirements and provide cooling to the engine. But, some products are made with the use of different chemicals so they can last 5 years only. This is a mandatory thing to remember. You have to replace the antifreeze after the specified time frame in order to make sure there is no decrease in engine cooling, and antifreeze doesn’t lose its properties.
One thing we can reveal to all of you is the mileage, after which antifreeze should be replaced. It is around 150.000 miles, and we believe that all products should be replaced as soon as you reach this mileage. It will make sure that the new antifreeze cools down the engine better, and there is no risk of any issue or failure you can encounter.
Temperature range
Not all antifreeze products can be used in all temperature ranges. The most common option are products that are designed to be used on a temperature starting from 25 up to 256 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower temperature is the outdoor temperature, and in this case, it is low in winter. The higher number is the highest temperature antifreeze that can withstand without boiling. If the temperature reaches a higher rating, the car will boil, which is a massive failure and an expensive repair.
Type of engine
You will have to consider the type of engine your car uses. In most cases, you will have to choose between a diesel or petrol powered unit. Almost all antifreeze can be used in both types of engines, and the performances are the same. However, the matter cannot be generalized, so we will advise you to make sure the antifreeze product you are considering is approved by the manufacturer or by the seller to be used on gas and diesel-powered engines.
Car manufacturer recommendation
All car brands will have an antifreeze product that they will recommend. It can be made by the brand itself, or it can be developed by a third party. The important thing is to use that antifreeze as your top choice. It is well-tested, and it will meet the specific requirements your car has. It is a safe choice and the one you need to pay a lot of attention to.
The final word
The main thing to remember is that all cars and all vehicles with engines require antifreeze. You can use water, but the cooling will be decreased, and you are at a higher risk of a major failure. Using proper antifreeze will eliminate any risk, and it will help your engine decrease the temperature and work perfectly. Never mix antifreeze of different colors and always use the one that is recommended by the manufacturer. Now when you know all of this, you are en expert, and you will be ready to start looking for the antifreeze you need and the one that is the best possible choice. Read more car product reviews.
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
