Antifreeze, or engine coolant, is a colored liquid that is mixed with water to help regulate your engine temperatures regardless of the weather. As the temperature outside changes from hot to cold, coolant is pumped throughout the engine block to maintain an even operating temperature. Antifreeze does more than just regulate temperature, however. Maintaining proper fluid levels also helps to prevent corrosion.

Yes and no. A number of liquids can technically serve as an engine coolant. In the earliest days of automobiles, water was used as coolant. It did the job well, for the most part until the temperature dropped below freezing. To keep the coolant from turning into ice, chemicals were added to drop the freezing point. These days, coolant is usually a roughly 50/50 mixture of water and those antifreeze additives (ethylene glycol). 

There are varieties for every type of vehicle. Each one is specifically formulated to keep its designated engine type running in extreme temperatures while protecting specific components. It’s important to know the differences so you get the correct antifreeze for your vehicle.

Coolant liquid comes in different colors, most common is red. Each color is a unique formula that should not be mixed. The below chart will help you decipher which fluid is in your vehicle. Reminder, you can often find the recommended type of coolant in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.