You might also prefer to test the integrity of the coolant with a set of test strips from your local auto parts store. Newer coolant formulas are made to last longer, allowing them to work up to 100,000 miles or five years, whichever is first. Additionally, the dealership can give you a printout of the maintenance schedule, including the best time for coolant flush service. However, you will find the recommended interval for your vehicle in the owner’s manual. There is no set timeframe designated for a coolant flush across the board. However, there are times when a coolant flush is necessary. Topping off the coolant when levels get low is one step to maintaining the system. It’s important to keep the cooling system running its best to ensure a long engine life. RELATED: Can you Mix Different Types of Coolant? (Which Types?) How Often Should Coolant Be Flushed? On average, you can spend $450 to $700 having the water pump replaced, with parts costing $250 to $300 and the labor adding another $200 to $400. As one example, consider the cost of replacing the water pump in your vehicle. When the system can’t be cooled properly, it will overheat, leading to catastrophic failure. This gel won’t be able to cycle through the system properly, leading to a multitude of problems. What you are left with is a gel substance that doesn’t operate the same way liquid does. When the two combine, a chemical reaction occurs, leading to thickening that shouldn’t take place. You should never mix orange and green coolant together. That’s why it’s important to keep the system filled up at all times. This fault leads to damage of the internal components and clogs.

However, orange coolant does allow oxygen into the system when it gets too low. That’s when GM released DexCool, which mixes Organic Acid Technologies (OAT) to reduce the instance of rust. Systems started to be built with less steel copper in the 1990s. However, these substances don’t hurt the non-metallic parts like green coolant can. Inside the orange coolant are carboxylates, which work to reduce corrosion. Instead, it is used on newer models that are made from nylon and aluminum. Orange antifreeze also helps to protect against corrosion and wear, but it’s not meant for vehicles made with a lot of metal. Ethylene or propylene glycol is used to keep engine temperatures at bay. Silicones are used as the metal sealant, keeping the materials from damage caused by wear, chemicals and moisture. The phosphates come from phosphoric acid and are used to remove grease and oil, along with softening water. IAT contains several compounds, such as silicone and phosphate mixed with ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Within the composition, Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) is added to the mixture. The green composition protects the metallic parts from corrosion and rust. Green coolant is used in systems designed with copper and steel. This engine coolant was made specifically for older vehicles, dating before 2000. Here are some more details of the differences between these coolants: 1. Orange is better suited for newer cars with an aluminum block, while green is better for older cars. Green coolant uses inorganic additive technology while orange uses organic acid technology. The main difference between green and orange antifreeze is the ingredients. Differences Between Green & Orange Coolant Two of the most known coolant colors are green and orange. Manufacturers add a particular dye to the composition to ensure you know which one to use. The color of the coolant is from the dyes used to make it. Both of these conditions leave your engine vulnerable to damage. In fact, water can evaporate when the engine becomes too hot, and it can freeze in colder climates. While water will cool the engine by itself, it isn’t as effective. To make most coolants, you mix the antifreeze mixture with equal parts water. Coolant keeps the engine at a safe operating temperature while also ensuring that it doesn’t freeze. How Often Should Coolant Be Flushed? What is Coolant?Ĭoolant is antifreeze that has been mixed with water to protect the vehicle.

Green vs pink coolant