If you know a few about coolant and antifreeze, probably you have noticed that both additives perform similar purposes in your car’s engine. What’s the difference between coolant and antifreeze then?
Just keep reading the article, you have your answer to the question- is radiator coolant the same as antifreeze? Find your answer below.
Why are these additives used?
If the temperature is excessively hot or cold, then it can seriously impact the cooling system of your vehicle.
This is where the antifreeze and coolant come to play. These additives protect your vehicle from freezing and overheating.
Let’s crack into the whole article.
What Do Antifreeze and Coolant Do?
The antifreeze and coolant serve several purposes on an engine’s performance. These fluids are important in different aspects like:
Works against Freezing – The word “antifreeze” means lowering the freezing point. The antifreeze and coolant are mainly used in the radiator of your car and resist it from freezing in very cold temperatures. It keeps the temperatures below 30° Fahrenheit.
Works against Overheating – The coolant protects your engine from being overheated. Your radiator and engine can keep cool by using this additive.
Works as a Lubricant – Apart from solving the anti-freezing and overheating issue, antifreeze and coolant work as a lubricant as well. The fluids act as a secondary lubricating agent that keeps several engine parts well lubricated.
Is Radiator Coolant the Same as Antifreeze?
Yet, antifreeze and engine coolant both have many similarities but these two additives are not the same. Antifreeze is a glycol-based concentrated liquid. You have to dilute it with water before use. And that is where it becomes a coolant.
As an alternative, you can buy a premixed engine coolant, which is the ready solution of antifreeze and water for use.
Mostly antifreeze allows trouble-free engine operation in a car’s cooling system even in extreme weather. Ethylene Glycol control coolant liquid freezing with your radiator by reducing its freezing temperature. Moreover, lubricate the water pump and also inhibit corrosion.
Engine coolant is a combination of antifreeze and water, with a ratio of 50:50. It’s because antifreeze works well as a diluted liquid (making it coolant) when resisting temperatures of intense heat. The engine will effectively regulate the optimum temperature with coolant on your car’s cooling system all year round.
Antifreeze doesn’t have any expiry date, but the additives that prevent engine corrosion has. So, it’s always suggested to replace your antifreeze with the expiry guidelines of the manufacturer. Furthermore, ethylene glycol is toxic material for both humans and animals. Therefore,
always follow the safety guidance and disposal instructions of the manufacturer’s carefully.
Differences between Antifreeze and Refrigerant 
Both chemicals are responsible for your vehicle’s heating, HVAC system, and ventilation of your car. You may have easily noticed that both additives work very similarly. They are very common in the air conditioning system of a vehicle. Still, there are differences in maintenance.
Now, we will talk about the significant differences between coolant and antifreeze.
Antifreeze- Engine Coolant 
The major purpose of antifreeze is to keep your engine from freezing. Besides, this chemical also comes with rust inhibitors. The rust inhibitors will become worn. Accordingly, you will need to change the antifreeze when it’s needed.
To ensure the best condition of your engine, some preventive maintenance is essential.
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- Refrigerant (Freon)
You probably heard that the compressor is called the heart of an AC system. The compressor moves frequently with proper lubrication. The AC compressor moves with the help of compressor oil and refrigerant.
However, when the refrigerant or AC compressor oil is leaked, you will have to add more refrigerants or oils. But the refrigerants don’t need any preventive maintenance like antifreeze.
- Can you mix pink and blue antifreeze?
You cannot mix pink and blue antifreeze.
Always remember that an incorrect mixture of coolant can cause a faulty cooling system and result in engine damage. You must not mix pink and blue antifreeze and always stick to the mix approved by your manufacturer.
- Can you mix the same type of coolants?
You have to top up your car with the same brand and type of coolant. It’s best to always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions once you’re unsure which to use. We never recommend you to mix coolants.
A common misunderstanding is that you can use color to know coolant type, but multiple colors can be used in one type of coolant. So, it’s not suggested the color of the liquid solution to use as a coolant type indicator.
- Can I put antifreeze in my engine coolant?
Once the antifreeze is mixed with water, you can pour antifreeze into the expansion tank or the reservoir. It’s the same place as the engine coolant.
Then it will filter around the engine and mix with coolant to ensure that the liquid doesn’t freeze.
- How Do Antifreeze and Coolant Work?
Antifreeze and coolant keep your radiator fluid from freezing once you mix it up correctly. Even when the temperature is lower than 30 degrees, which is less than water’s normal freezing point (32 degrees Fahrenheit). The additives lower the freezing temperature of the radiator fluid by 60 degrees or more.
Similarly, the mixture can keep the fluid up to 275 degrees high from boiling. It’s higher than the normal boiling point of water’s (212 degrees) by raising the boiling point of the fluid.
Antifreeze and Coolant Maintain Your Cooling System
Modern engines have numerous narrow passages which through the coolant could flow to keep the engine cool. The coolant not only keeps the engine temperature under control but also keeps the balance of the engine heat.
If it is a cold day and you have just started the engine, you can see your engine starts getting warm very rapidly. Coolant and antifreeze play an important role here. The coolant system helps your vehicle to reach the optimal operating temperature.
Why Do You Need to Change Antifreeze or Coolant? 
After a long period, the engine coolant may become polluted as it gathers the dirt in the engine’s cooling system. So, you should check the coolant and flush the cooling system. On the other hand, if you don’t clean the dirt, it may cause several engine parts to be messed up. Ultimately, it can cause the costly repair to your car.
There are many exclusive antifreeze/coolants available on Amazon. Check Valvoline-Zerex-DEX-COOL-Antifreeze-Coolant on Amazon.
Read also: How Important Is It To Change The Oil In Your Car And when you should change the oil.
When Do You Need to Change Antifreeze or Coolant? 
Actually, the change interval of your coolant relies on various aspects. You have to consider the manufacturing model, the age of the car, and some other aspects like the weather conditions of your area.
In general, you should change antifreeze/coolant after every 30,000 to 50,000 miles or in every 5 years of use.
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Final Thoughts: Is Antifreeze Coolant?
Already, you have got your answer. To add with this, here’s a simple recommendation for your vehicle maintenance:
Keep your radiator coolant and antifreeze in a routine check-up. We suggested a replace in every 5 years, but you should at least check your vehicle’s coolant/antifreeze once a year.
Wish you a very happy driving life.