Different products for different vehicles
The products in the Glysantin® range are supplied in different colors, but that is not the only difference. Each product contains a special additive package that is tailored to the specific demands of the cooling system and the materials used by the motor manufacturer. You can use our product finder to find out which Glysantin® product is the correct choice for your vehicle.
Nowadays, there are three different types of engine coolant on the market.
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Hybrid engine coolants (containing silicates)
These products contain a mixture of inorganic and organic corrosion inhibitors to protect the radiator. For instance, Mercedes and BMW initially fill their vehicles with this type of coolant.
Glysantin® G48®
The corresponding BASF products are:
Glysantin® G05® -
OAT engine coolants (free of silicates)
These coolants contain organic salts as corrosion inhibitors. Opel, Ford and PSA use products based on this technology. The engine coolants used in most Japanese vehicles also employ this technology.
Glysantin® G30®
The corresponding BASF products are:
Glysantin® G33®
Glysantin® G34®
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Si-OAT-engine coolants
These products combine the advantages of engine coolants that contain silicates and those that are free of silicates. This new technology offers excellent protection against corrosion and a long working life. For example, the vehicles of the Volkswagen Group use this type of engine coolant.
The corresponding BASF product is:
Glysantin® G40®
Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages, and this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator. The passive layer in the cooling system gradually becomes thinner and more porous and the engine coolant needs to be changed at more frequent intervals. Using the wrong engine coolants can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket. This can lead to engine failure in the worst case.
How often do coolants have to be changed?
Engine coolant additives such as the pH buffer are gradually broken down and become less effective with age. We therefore recommend a complete change of coolant every three to four years. It is also strongly recommended to clean the cooling system and completely renew the coolant whenever a repair is made to the cooling system. This prevents the rust, soil and suspended particles left behind in the system from causing scale, corrosion and other damage.
How do engine coolants affect the motor manufacturer’s warranty?
Officially approved engine coolants can be changed during the guarantee period without affecting the motor manufacturer’s warranty. However, filling the cooling system with unapproved coolant or antifreeze during the guarantee period can render the manufacturer’s warranty invalid.
What are the advantages of coolants that have been officially approved by motor manufacturers?
Motor manufacturers do not “recommend” any particular engine coolants, but they do grant official approvals. New vehicles are usually filled with approved engine coolants when they leave the factory and they can be replaced during the guarantee period without affecting the manufacturer’s warranty.
On average, engine coolants have to undergo thirty different tests before they are approved by motor manufacturers. These mainly consist of various different corrosion and compatibility tests with the original components of the cooling system. Motor manufacturers do not give official approval to coolants until they have passed all the tests. The process takes three to five years and it is very expensive. The coolant has to go through the entire approvals procedure again every time a change is made to the formulation.
Glysantin has the most approvals from leading motor manufacturers.
The Glysantin® glossary
In our glossary we provide you with more information on interesting topics related to coolants.
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