Does Adding the Wrong Color of Antifreeze Have Any Impact?
2 Answers
Adding the wrong color of antifreeze does have an impact. Different colors of antifreeze have different compositions. Mixing antifreeze of different colors can lead to chemical reactions, and in severe cases, it may cause the antifreeze to become ineffective. If you want to switch to a different color of antifreeze, you need to completely drain the existing antifreeze, clean the vehicle's cooling system, and then add the new antifreeze. Additional information: 1. Even if the antifreeze is the same type but a different color, it should not be mixed. Different colors or brands of antifreeze contain different chemical additives, and mixing them can cause chemical reactions between the additives, rendering them ineffective. 2. Antifreeze should also be used in summer, and water should not be used as a substitute. High-quality antifreeze has a high boiling point, which helps with the normal heat dissipation of the engine and better protects the car engine, preventing overheating during driving. This avoids affecting the vehicle's lifespan and reduces potential safety hazards.
I've been in auto repair for nearly two decades and have seen countless cases of wrong coolant color mixing. This is no trivial matter - different colors represent different formulations. For instance, green indicates silicate type while red might be organic acid technology (OAT). Mixing them triggers chemical reactions that form crystalline deposits. Just last week, a car owner mixed blue and pink coolants to save trouble, resulting in a completely clogged radiator after just 300 kilometers, requiring full cooling system disassembly for cleaning. The real danger lies in how these sediments corrode aluminum radiators and rubber hoses, causing loss of engine temperature control that can strand vehicles mid-journey. My professional advice: immediately visit a certified repair shop for complete coolant replacement upon discovering mixing - don't wait until major damage occurs. Modern repair facilities offer professional cooling system flush services; while costing 200-300 RMB more, it's far cheaper than engine repairs.
