Antifreeze is an ethylene glycol-based liquid that does not freeze or boil easily.
On the other hand, engine coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and distilled water that you can buy pre-mixed.
Antifreeze and coolant both have the same function. It?s just a case of whether you purchase the pre-mixed variant or the concentrate.
How Does Engine Coolant/Antifreeze Work?
Whether purchased as a pre-mixed solution (engine coolant) or a concentrate that you can mix at home, antifreeze reduces the freezing temperature and raises the boiling temperature of the liquid that circulates around the engine. Combined with water, antifreeze also helps to lubricate the engine?s internal components.
Engine coolant is usually a 50/50 split of antifreeze and distilled water. However, some coolants are made up of a 70/30 split of antifreeze and water. These are designed to prevent corrosion and are typically a little pricier than their 50/50 counterparts. You can mix antifreeze with distilled water in either of these ratios.
Read up on different antifreeze/coolant formulations here.
Selecting Your Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
Though antifreeze and coolant are essentially the same, there are a number of types available for purchase. The different types are listed here.
Ensure you select one that is ideal for your car by searching your number plate below. Our car finder tool will show you all the coolants best suited to your make and model.
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