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Antifreeze is a liquid that prevents your car’s engine from overheating in extreme heat or cold. It is usually a mixture of water and glycol compounds that function as lubricants and anti-corrosion agents to keep your radiator in good shape. What are the best antifreeze coolants for cars?
Our top 10 best antifreeze for cars are as follows:
The only antifreeze that has Alugard Plus, a proprietary additive that makes it compatible with any other color antifreeze, is the Multi-Vehicle / MaxLife Antifreeze Coolant from Valvoline.
This universal formulation helps in extending the life of your car by moving heat from the engine to the radiator, keeping your vehicle’s engine temperature steady in all climates and driving conditions.
Other antifreeze manufacturers that claim to be suitable for “all makes and models” utilize a corrosion inhibitor package that does not contain silicate. When these chemistries are combined, the cooling system may be vulnerable to rust and corrosion.
Compatible with all vehicles and light trucks
It’s safe to use with any color antifreeze
Excellent rust and corrosion protection for all cooling system metals
Protects against freeze-ups in cold weather and boil-overs in hot weather
Protects the water pump, soldered joints, seals, and seams
2. ZEREX DEX-COOL Concentrated Antifreeze Coolant
Next on our list of the best antifreeze coolant for cars is the ZEREX DEX-COOL Concentrated Antifreeze Coolant:
The patented carboxylate formulation of the ZEREX DEX-COOL antifreeze coolant has a service life of up to 5 years or 150,000 miles. It protects all cooling system metals and aluminum with state-of-the-art organic acid technology in an ethylene glycol base.
General Motors has approved ZEREX DEX-COOL antifreeze coolant to the GM 6277M criteria. There are no silicates, phosphates, borates, nitrates, amines, or nitrites in the ZEREX DEX-COOL antifreeze coolant.
It is approved by Opel, Dae Woo, and Saab and can be blended with any DEX-COOL. It’s ‘orange’ because of its unique chemistry, distinguishing itself from the standard yellow and green silicate coolants.
ZEREX DEX-COOL protects modern engine components against freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer when diluted 50 percent with water. This antifreeze coolant can be stored for up to five years as a concentrate or diluted with water. It has a high-quality defoamer and won’t affect gaskets, hoses, plastics, or the paint on your vehicle.
OAT DEX-COOL Automaker Approved (for GM and SAAB vehicles)
Meets or exceeds industry specifications (ASTM D3306, SAE J1034, J814, J1941, TMC of ATA RP-302B, and federal specification A-A-870A)
5 years / 150,000 miles guarantee
Silicate- and phosphate-free formula
3. ZEREX Original Green 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant
Another excellent antifreeze for cars is the ZEREX Original Green 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant:
If your car still utilizes the inorganic additive, green-colored coolant, this well-known Zerex coolant is perfect. Your vehicle might have used green coolant if it was manufactured in the 1990s or early 2000s.
Your engine will keep cool and critical components will not rust, thanks to its tried-and-true formula. This antifreeze coolant has been tested at -34 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although it does not include the organic component HOAT, this coolant is still the favored option for vintage and classic automobiles and those who drive older vehicles.
Protects down to -34 deg. F
Helps prevent rust and corrosion
Patented organic acid corrosion inhibitor package
Has 30 – 50 ppm of denatonium benzoate (a bittering agent)
Great for older, classic cars
4. Ford VC-7-B Gold Concentrated Antifreeze Coolant
Next on our list of the best antifreeze for a car is the Ford VC-7-B Gold Concentrated Antifreeze Coolant:
This antifreeze/coolant is yellow in color and is based on ethylene glycol. It can be used in gasoline and diesel engines. Along with the Motorcraft name, Ford lends its brand to it.
Note that certain Fords have distinct coolant specifications, so double-check your Blue Oval application to make sure what you’re getting is the right product for you.
It comes in a gallon container and is a concentrated fluid, so it must be diluted with water before use. Ford recommends distilled water and not ditch water scooped up with a hubcap. A 50/50 mixture works well.
Recommended for Ford vehicles
Yellow-colored, ethylene coolant
Anti-boil and anti-freezing
Corrosion protection
Has a bittering agent
Used in petrol and diesel engines
5. Prestone AF2100 Ready to Use Antifreeze Coolant
The Prestone AF2100 Ready to Use Antifreeze Coolant is another excellent antifreeze for cars.
There’s no need to worry about mixing coolants or dilution proportions with Prestone’s AF2100. This antifreeze coolant is pre-mixed with 50% water and 50% coolant, so it’s ready to use.
The fluid can withstand temperatures as low as -34 degrees Fahrenheit, making it appropriate for use even in the coldest parts of the world. It also helps in the removal of particles from your car’s radiator and the prevention of corrosion within it.
This antifreeze coolant is compatible with a wide range of car models and coolants. Prestone also aids in the protection of rubber seals and other parts in the areas where it circulates.
Pre-mixed, ready-to-use formula
Recommended for all vehicles
Compatible with all coolants
Guarantees longer engine life
Prevents corrosion
Prevents overheating and freezing
6. PEAK PABB53 OET Blue Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant for Asian Vehicles
The PEAK PABB53 OET Blue Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant for Asian Vehicles is next on our list for the best antifreeze for cars.
The PEAK PABB53 OET Blue Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant is an ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/coolant developed particularly for use in any Asian car that requires a blue phosphate-enhanced organic acid technology formulation. It is free from nitrite, borate, silicate, and amine compounds and contains high-quality organic acid corrosion inhibitors.
This antifreeze coolant satisfies ASTM D3306 and JIS K2234 performance requirements. PEAK claims that this car antifreeze will provide service life protection for up to 150,000 miles or five years when flushed and filled completely.
It’s best for Asian vehicles like Acura (1990 and up), Honda (1990 and up), Infiniti (2009 and up), Mitsubishi (Mirage & Outlander 2001 and up, Raider 2006 and up, Lancer 2012 and up), Nissan (2009 and up), Subaru (2009 and up), and Suzuki (2010 and up).
Phosphate-free and silicate-free formula
Meets the performance requirements of JIS K2234 and ASTM D3306
Protects all cooling system metals against rust and corrosion
Color coding and vehicle applications listed on the front
Up to 5 years/150,000 miles w/ a complete cooling system flush and fill
Recommended for Asian vehicles
7. PEAK PEBB53-01 OET Blue Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant for European Vehicles
Next on our list of the best antifreeze for cars is the PEAK PEBB53-01 OET Blue Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant for European Vehicles.
This prediluted antifreeze coolant from PEAK is made with the same silicate-enhanced hybrid organic acid technology that protects your vehicle right out of the factory. It’s designed for European automobiles that require a blue coolant. This liquid is free from phosphate, nitrite, and amines, and it will protect all cooling system metals, including aluminum, against rust and corrosion.
It’s best for European vehicles like Audi (pre-1996), all BMWs, all Dodge Sprinters, Fiat/Alfa Romeo (pre-2006), Jaguar (pre-1997), Land Rover V8 & Diesel (1990-2005), Mercedes-Benz (pre-2014), Mini (all gasoline), Porsche (pre-1996), Saab (pre-2000), Volvo (pre-2015), and VW (pre-1996).
Formulated for use in all European vehicles that require blue extended life coolant
Protects cooling system metals against rust and corrosion
Up to 5 years or 150,000-mile protection (with a complete cooling system flush & fill)
Meets ASTM D3306 performance requirements
8. PEAK NAOB53 OET Orange Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant for North American Vehicles
The PEAK NAOB53 OET Extended Life Orange Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant for North American Vehicles is another top choice on our best antifreeze for cars list.
The PEAK NAOB53 OET Orange Prediluted Antifreeze Coolant for North American Vehicles is a premium coolant specifically designed to go with the technology and color requirements of your North American vehicle.
It’s formulated with the same corrosion inhibitor technology that protects your vehicle straight from the factory. Also, it’s an ethylene glycol-based formula specifically engineered for use in any North American vehicle requiring an orange organic acid technology formulation and is designed to provide protection of your vehicle’s engine cooling system metals against damaging rust and corrosion.
This antifreeze coolant is specifically engineered for use in Chrysler vehicles (2013 & newer), Ford vehicles (2011 -2019), GM vehicles (1995 & newer), and other North American vehicles requiring an orange coolant formulation. And when installed as part of a complete flush and fill, PEAK guarantees this coolant will provide service life protection up to 150,000 miles or 5 years.
It’s also fully compatible with other extended life antifreeze/coolants and is already diluted to make topping off your cooling system a breeze.
50/50 prediluted for quick top-offs
Ethylene glycol-based formula
OAT Orange formulation
Up to 150,000 miles / 5 years service life protection
Best for North American vehicles
9. ZEREX Asian Vehicle 50/50 Antifreeze Coolant
Next on our list for the best antifreeze for cars is the ZEREX Asian Vehicle 50/50 Antifreeze Coolant.
The ZEREX Asian Vehicle 50/50 Antifreeze Coolant is designed to meet the requirements of Asian manufacturers that specify a silicate-free HOAT formula with a phosphate additive to protect their cooling systems from rust and corrosion. It’s available in both red and blue formulas to better match your Asian vehicle’s specific requirements.
Its additional product benefits include premixed with demineralized water (for added protection and convenience), compatibility with Asian vehicle coolants and cooling systems, and protection against freeze-ups and boilovers.
Has a silicate- and borate-free formula (prevents harmful scale & deposits)
Protects the vehicle’s all cooling system metals from rust and corrosion
Features the P-HOAT formula that protects against freeze-ups and boilovers
Best for Asian vehicles
10. PEAK PXAB53 50/50 Antifreeze Coolant
Next on our list of the best antifreeze for a car is the PEAK PXAB53 50/50 Antifreeze Coolant.
The PEAK PXAB53 50/50 Antifreeze Coolant provides guaranteed lifetime protection when a complete cooling system flush and fill is performed and specified vehicle maintenance is followed. This antifreeze coolant is formulated for use in all American, Asian, and European vehicles and features a patented non-2-Eh silicate-free formula.
Its proprietary inhibitors also provide maximum rust and corrosion protection in all automobiles, including light trucks regardless of make, model, year, and original antifreeze color.
Amber color
Pre-diluted and ready to use
224 degrees F boiling point
-34 degrees F freezing point
Non-2-Eh and silicate-free formulation
Compatible with Asian, American, and European cars
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