Can You Mix Red And Green Antifreeze: Dangers And Solution

Antifreeze, as the name suggests, is used to prevent the water from freezing in the winter and keep the engine from overheating. It also cleans rust, dirt, and other particles from your cooling system because it contains rust inhibitors. The first thing you need to know about antifreeze colors is that the different colors indicate the different cars the antifreeze solutions are meant for. And if you are thinking can you mix red and green antifreeze, then this article is for you.

So, to give a short answer to the question at hand, no, you cannot and should not mix red and green or any different colored antifreeze. It will surely give rise to problems in your engine, coolant system and even damage various car components. Hence, mixing two different antifreeze is not something you should even consider trying.

Red Antifreeze

Red antifreeze solution has been manufactured using the Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT). It contains silicates and is of two types of red antifreeze solutions you can get in the market. The red coolants are generally named ‘Dexcool’ and can be used with Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda cars. 

Usually, these can be used with most Japanese, Asian, and European vehicles. It will last in your vehicle system for around 4 years. You can use the red coolant with water in your system, provided you use it in a 1:1 proportion. The color of the mixture of red coolant and water is pink.

Green Antifreeze

The green antifreeze can be thought of as a traditional or old antifreeze solution. It uses the Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) formula which is one of the oldest technologies to date in antifreeze manufacture. It contains phosphates that work as corrosion inhibitors and silicates.

This type of antifreeze can last in your vehicle system for about 3 years or so. Then, you need to flush the antifreeze and add a fresh coolant solution. The green antifreeze works best for old vehicles.

Check out this blog to know the difference between red and green antifreeze.

What Happens When You Mix Red And Green Antifreeze?

If you were thinking that mixing two different types of coolants will result in an explosion or a dangerous chemical reaction, then it’s not so. However, remember that they are not supposed to be mixed. 

If you do mix them and someone tries to check its freeze point, then it will be inaccurate. Also, the reading will be wrong when you try to figure out how much of this mixture of antifreeze is supposed to prevent your car from freezing in the winter. In such a situation, your engine might end up cracking when the environment gets too cold.

It can encourage corrosion in the vehicle’s radiator. Also, if you use this in your engine, then you are at risk of gradually damaging the water pump, head gasket, radiator, and radiator hoses as well. 

This can also clog the water jackets and cause your car engine to overheat. Moreover, the protective layer of the cooling system might become thinner and wear faster ultimately resulting in engine knocking.

As a result, you will need to change the protective layer of your cooling system frequently. Using the wrong antifreeze solution in your car puts it at risk of unwanted internal damage. If you want your vehicle to run smoothly for a long time, choose and use the correct antifreeze for your car. 

What To Do If You Have Used A Mixture Of Red And Green Antifreeze In Your Vehicle?

If you have accidentally used a mixture of two antifreeze solutions in your vehicle or used the wrong antifreeze, then soon you’ll come to realize what a terrible mistake it was. If you have used the wrong coolant mixture and driven the vehicle for some time after that, you might have to face a lot of problems. 

Your engine components will be affected badly. You will start noticing problems like clogged water jackets, damaged water pumps, broken hoses, etc. In this case, the damage has been done, and now, you’ll have to repair the damaged components to get your car up and running again.

However, if you get to know of the dangers of this act within time and before starting to ride this vehicle with the wrong antifreeze, you are in luck. In such a case all you need to do is flush out the wrong antifreeze or antifreeze mixture and then apply the correct antifreeze again. 

If you don’t know how to flush out the wrong antifreeze mixture from your vehicle, then don’t worry

How To Flush Out The Wrong Antifreeze Mixture From Your Vehicle?

Flushing out the incorrect antifreeze mixture from your vehicle is essential to avoid potential damage to your engine. Here’s how to properly remove the wrong mixture and prepare your cooling system for the correct antifreeze.

1. Gather materials: Gather the necessary tools and materials before beginning. These include:
   1. A drain pan 
   2. Funnel
   3. Hose 
   4. Radiator flush product
   5. The correct antifreeze for your vehicle.
2. Park on a level surface: Find a flat, stable surface to park your vehicle, and let the engine cool down completely.

3. Drain the coolant:
   1. Place a drain pan underneath the radiator drain valve. 
   2. Open the valve, and allow the coolant to flow into the pan. 
   3. Dispose of the drained coolant properly at an auto parts shop or a recycling centre. It is toxic to the environment.

4. Flush the system:
   1. Following the instructions on the radiator flush product, pour the flush solution into the radiator. 
   2. Fill the cooling system with water using a hose. 
   3. Start the engine, turn on the heater, and let the car run for the recommended time.

5. Drain the flush solution:
   1. Turn off the engine, and allow it to cool. 
   2. Drain the flush solution from the radiator using the drain valve. 
   3. Dispose of the used solution responsibly.

6. Rinse the system:
   1. Refill the cooling system with water. 
   2. Run the engine again with the heater on. 
   3. Drain the water to remove any remaining flush solution and contaminants.

How to Add New Antifreeze: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to add the correct antifreeze to your vehicle’s cooling system.

1. Consult your owner’s manual: Check your owner’s manual for the recommended antifreeze type and mixture ratio for your specific vehicle. 
2. Prepare the antifreeze: Mix it with distilled water, following the manufacturer’s recommended ratio (usually 50/50, but it can vary).
3. Open the radiator cap: Ensure the engine is completely cool. Find the radiator cap and open it carefully. Be cautious, as built-up pressure might cause the hot coolant to spray out.
4. Fill the radiator: Slowly pour the new antifreeze mixture into the radiator using a funnel. Fill it to the top or until you can see the coolant near the filler’s neck.
5. Bleed the cooling system: Start the engine with the radiator cap off, allowing trapped air to escape. Turn on the heater to ensure proper coolant flow throughout the system. Keep an eye on the coolant level and add more if necessary.
6. Replace the radiator cap: Once the coolant level stabilizes and no more air bubbles are escaping, turn off the engine and carefully replace the radiator cap.
7. Top off the overflow reservoir: Locate the coolant overflow reservoir and fill it to the recommended level with the new antifreeze mixture.
8. Check for leaks: Switch the engine on, let it run for a little while, and then inspect the radiator, hoses, and drain valve for any leaks.
9. Monitor the coolant level: Keep an eye on the coolant level in the overflow reservoir over the next few days and top it off if needed.

FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about antifreeze mixtures:

Wrapping Up

By now, you must have understood that it is a dangerous decision to mix red and green antifreeze. Both of them are very different in properties and can cause a lot of harm to your vehicle. It is recommended that you should always stick to the correct antifreeze to be used as a coolant in your car model. 

Never mess up the coolant system of your car by using a mixture of two different antifreeze with it. And if you have already done that, the above article will tell you how to solve the problem.