What is the difference between red and green car antifreeze?
2 Answers
The differences between red and green car antifreeze are: 1. Different models: The model of red car antifreeze is G11; the model of green car antifreeze is G12. 2. Different ingredients: The main component of red car antifreeze is propylene glycol; the main component of green car antifreeze is ethylene glycol. Antifreeze is a type of coolant containing special additives, mainly used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It has excellent performance in preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and resisting scale and corrosion throughout the year. Antifreeze consists of three parts: water, antifreeze agent, and additives. According to the different antifreeze agents, it can be divided into alcohol type, glycerol type, and ethylene glycol type.
When I was younger, I drove many cars and found that the biggest differences between red and green antifreeze lie in their formulations and service life. Red antifreeze is typically long-life, such as Organic Acid Technology (OAT), which can last about five years with excellent protection, rust prevention, and boil-over resistance, making it suitable for modern vehicles. Green antifreeze, on the other hand, uses the older silicate formula and needs replacement every two years, costing a bit more. The colors are just dyes added by manufacturers to distinguish types—never mix them, as this can cause gelling and clog the cooling system, leading to costly repairs. From my experience, it's best to use red for new cars—it saves money and hassle. For older cars, green is fine, but regular checks are a must. Additionally, while their temperature protection ranges are similar, red antifreeze is less corrosive and more environmentally friendly. In short, don’t take the color choice lightly—engine overheating from the wrong choice could mean a major repair.
