Antifreeze

Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze is a transparent, homogeneous, colored liquid free of mechanical impurities and has a mild characteristic odor. Regardless of the grade, the base fluid is initially colorless; dyes are added for easier identification.

Classification

According to the widely used classification system established by the VOLKSWAGEN Group (VAG), there are three main categories: G11, G12, and G13.

• G11 class antifreezes are typically blue or green. They contain inorganic additives and have a service life of approximately 30,000 km.
• G12 class antifreezes offer higher quality and are usually red or yellow. They contain organic (carboxylate) additives and can last up to 150,000–200,000 km. However, they are significantly more expensive.
• G13 class. According to the VAG classification, G13 antifreezes contain up to 20% glycerin in addition to traditional ethylene glycol. Some manufacturers label propylene glycol-based coolants as G13. The eco-friendly nature of propylene glycol makes it suitable for use in heating or cooling systems in residential buildings, as well as in food and pharmaceutical production. These coolants are typically orange, yellow, or violet.