Engine coolants: What are they and what exactly do they do?
Engine coolants, also known as antifreeze, are a blend of water and antifreeze that help to keep the temperature of your engine and its components at a safe level. More specifically, coolants play a vital role in helping to manage heat – either by drawing it away or helping to warm up engine components – as they circulate through the cooling system.
Given the crucial role they play for both petrol and diesel vehicles, including passenger cars, high-mileage vehicles, and even heavy-duty applications, regularly checking your coolant levels is a key element of basic vehicle maintenance.
Coolant levels can be checked by locating the coolant reservoir in the engine bay (a clear plastic container with a cap, usually marked ‘Caution – Hot’) and ensuring that the coolant level is between the ‘min’ and ‘max’ markings, especially when the engine is cool.
Why are engine coolants important for vehicle health?
Without the coolant, parts can corrode, seize up, and break, so it is crucial to have the right level of coolant – but most importantly, the right coolant for the vehicle. There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution for coolants.
Using a vehicle without sufficient or the correct coolant can lead to:
- Engine overheating
- Engine damage – pistons welding to cylinders, a cracked engine block or head, or a blown head gasket
- Reduced fuel economy
- Heater issues
The role of Texaco Havoline EGX
Texaco Havoline EGX Antifreeze/Coolant is a premium antifreeze designed for year-round performance, and is a trusted choice for motorists and fleet operators seeking an effective coolant for their vehicles. The product is a concentrate and premixed premium coolant designed to provide year-round frost, corrosion, and boil protection in the most extreme conditions in passenger cars and heavy-duty applications.
Formulated with Organic Additive Technology (OAT), the product is available as a concentrate and in premixed concentrations of 50/50, 40/60, and 55/45. In addition, the product is free of 2-EHA, nitrite, and borate. Not to mention, the coolant benefits from a long list of manufacturer (OEM) approvals.
Some of its benefits include:
- Advanced heat transfer performance throughout the fluid’s lifetime
- Good oxidation and pH stability even at high temperatures to help control deposits and limit acidic glycol degradation product formation
- Long-life OAT-backed performance with virtually non-depleting organic corrosion inhibitors
- Its neutralisation package, which helps prevent the formation of gels or deposits in the cooling system
This formulation helps meet the needs of those seeking a long-life coolant for high-mileage cars or OEM-approved coolants for modern engines.
The verdict: Do engine coolants actually work?
Put simply, yes. Engine coolants play a crucial role in maintaining your vehicle’s health and performance. They are essential for regulating engine temperature, helping prevent overheating, and helping protect the engine components from corrosion and wear.
Choosing the right coolant is vital, as is regularly checking and maintaining the correct coolant levels – both of which can help to avoid unwanted costly repairs and enhance overall vehicle performance.
To learn more about Texaco Havoline EGX and how it fits your vehicle’s needs, please click here.
