Hey guys I got a little question regarding Coolant. What is the difference between Red and Green Coolant? I have searched Google but the answers are too jibba jabba for me lol. I have been told there IS a difference though, just don't know what it is. Does it have something to do with Anti-Freeze?

green is anti-freeze,, anti-boil.. pretty sure never seen the red one found this on goolge and also said its not good so switch from green to red.. but im not a mechanic so i wouldnt know lol Quote: Actually I just read from several different sources that, where green coolant is made of ethylene glycol, most red coolant is made of the less toxic and less corrosive propylene glycol.

Yeah thats the stuff I found. So Red is less toxic.. I think I have seen 3 VL's in my life time with Red Coolant. But I have noticed alot of european cars come out with Red Coolant. Edit: Ok I just did some reading and I think this is what I gathered; Green is ethy lene glycol (EG) Red is propylene glycol (PG) Performance difference - extremely minor Main difference - PG is less toxic Both are antifreeze, antiboil. Using PG in a car that came out in EG is not recommended. So at the end of the day.. Red in fact is just simply better for your metal?

i dont get why you cant mix them? they both do the same shit dont they? or is it based on the chemical reaction that you cant mix them

pretty sure the red one is for modern cars with alloy radiators.

Ah ok. So what happens when you mix Coolants? I heard it turns into some form of sugar?

the red coolant is more corrosive due to diffrent glycole levels (commonly used in vehicles with aliminum radiators), if red and green coolant is mixed together they foam up and loose there anti freese/ anti boil properties. its best to stick to the vehicle manufacture's recomendations.

Ah ok. What happens if you mix different brands of Green?

should be alright, but if the coolant is weak or dirty why not do a full flush and put new coolant in all together, if not toping it up with water will be fine.

Ah ok cheers guys. So how long before a Alloy radiator with Green Coolant will start to corrode? Becuase I flushed my mums car with Green when it needs Red and can't be stuffed doing it again.

green one wont affect the alloy radiator because it less corrosive but the car may run a little warmer because its not as strong agent as the red one.... i've had a few drinks now so i hope it makes sense lol.

Toyota runs red from factory, have seen the result of red being drained and refilled with green without flushing, corrodes out the alloy.

red tastes better

my astra came with red. Took it in for a service and came back with green

Quote: Originally Posted by Spool-Up my astra came with red. Took it in for a service and came back with green Was it serviced by the dealership? At least you got coolant. I once took my vl into a radiator shop to get the cooling system flushed. I got the car back and it was filled with straight water. No coolant. I've also seen coolant that can be mixed with either green or red coolant. I've seen it at supercheap. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by ijd I've also seen coolant that can be mixed with either green or red coolant. I've seen it at supercheap. Yeah I seen an ad for it in alot of car mags. They say its universal and can be mixed with any coolant.

I've heard a story about the Holden VN and Toyota Lexcen. Holden used green coolant, and Toyota used red coolant from factory. Apparantly, the Lexcen's radiator is in much better condition than the VN's. I'll be using red coolant in my VL, and most of my mates use it and they havn't any problems.