Can you mix pink and orange antifreeze? In most cases, mixing antifreeze is not a good idea. But why not? And when can you mix antifreeze together? Find out more in the article below.
If you own a vehicle, you must have an idea about coolant, also known as antifreeze. The antifreeze usually comes in different colors, commonly green, orange, red, pink, blue, and yellow, but it is available in different shades too.
Each coolant color carries different properties, so it is essential to learn about them a little bit.
Usually, it is not suggested to mix two coolants to protect the engine, but at times, you can mix pink and orange antifreeze together, which is effective for the engine’s life and safe to use.
Experts recommend that one shouldn’t mix and match antifreeze of two different colors because it can lead to a lot of damage to the engine. The primary purpose of antifreeze is to protect the coolant system, which defeats the entire purpose of using a coolant in the first place.
So, no, it is not recommended to mix antifreeze of two colors to get the best results for your engine. You should pick pink and orange antifreeze to make a blend if you must. Since they are both made from ethylene alcohol and thus, they are safe to mix to help the engine run for a long time.
Read on if you are further interested in learning about the pink and orange antifreeze mixture!
What is Coolant?
Coolant, a mixture of distilled water and ethylene glycol, also called antifreeze, is an essential part of a vehicle. It is the primary tool of the system and is used for transferring heat to the engine.
The reason why the engine needs heat from time to time is to avoid freezing or boiling. If the engine’s metal parts continue to freeze/boil over some time, it can damage the entire system.
Coolant also keeps the engine oil from becoming solid or gas since heat can only be transferred with a liquid in the system. Thus, it plays an influential role in the functioning of a vehicle.
Many drivers understand that a vehicle needs a coolant for its smooth working and longevity. However, many people have no idea how to mix two coolants that work best for the vehicles.
You might like to read: Can You Mix Dexcool And Universal Antifreeze
Is it Okay To Mix Different Colors of Antifreeze?
Do you know that there are different colors of antifreeze available in the market?
The different colors available in the market include green, orange, pink, and blue antifreeze. However, you cannot mix all or any of the colors.
So, once again, we would like to remind you that it is never a good idea to mix a batch, but if you have to, consult a good manufacturer and get good guidance on mixing the colors.
Many drivers love to play with the colors of antifreeze to bring out the best in their vehicles. So, even though it isn’t always a good idea, it is okay to mix different colors of antifreeze. It is essential to know the mixing process if you aren’t an expert in mixing these chemicals since it can cost you expensive bucks!
What Happens If You Mix Two Colored Antifreeze?
The different colors of antifreeze available in the market come with a varied set of properties. However, you should avoid mixing two-colored coolants since they can impair the vehicle’s performance.
Wrong engine antifreeze can lead to corrosion in the radiator and gradually cause damage to the water pump, radiator, cylinder gasket, and other tools in the vehicle.
If you use a couple of coolants that are wrong for each other, they will certainly not react well. They form a jelly-like substance that thickens the flow of the coolant and leads to overheating of the engine. This leads to gradual damage to the engine and can cost a lot of bucks in the long run.
Also read: Foamy antifreeze? What are your options?
Is it Ok To Mix Orange and Pink Antifreeze?
Learning which color coolant will be the best for your vehicle cannot be evident. So, let us give you a safe side – mixing pink and orange antifreeze will always be a good idea for the engine.
Yes, you can.
Although it isn’t suggested to mix different colors before using them in engines, blending pink and orange antifreeze might be a good idea.
You can mix these two colors without the fear of damage in the long run because they contain ethylene glycol, which can cool down the car engine.
Pink coolant is a mix of inorganic as well as organic technology, which means that you can mix it with all sorts of coolants. Pink is used explicitly for Japanese vehicles like Toyota and Lexus.
Orange is one of the most commonly used antifreeze found in the market and is often known as Dexcool. Like pink coolant, it also contains ethylene glycol-based chemicals; it has extreme anti-corrosion properties that prevent the engine from being damaged for a long time.
When you mix orange and pink, the silicates in pink antifreeze will enhance the life of the coolant by many years (as many as five or even more).
However, it is essential to know the exact measurements of the two mixing coolants to get the best out of your vehicle. So, you should let a professional do the blending and mixing of chemicals to get the best outcome!
You might like to read: Will Antifreeze Melt Ice
So, How Do You Mix Pink and Orange Antifreeze?
When you mix these two coolants, it leads to a peachy color. However, you should ensure that the two coolants are measured well before pouring and need to be pre-diluted.
To prevent your engine from freezing, we suggest you use a measurement of 50/50 of both coolants. You should also add about 20 percent of tap water for temperatures below 34 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some of the top benefits of using pink and orange antifreeze are –
- It helps in reducing corrosion and rust in the coolant system
- It prevents the coolant system from freezing or boiling
- Contributes to the extending the life of rubber and other components in the system
- Raises the temperature of the coolant system
Also, summer is the best time to add pink and orange antifreeze as a mixture to your vehicle. However, the bottom line is that you should know which mixture would suit your vehicle and get guidance from a professional or an expert before mixing any two colors of antifreeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. Can pink coolant be mixed?
It is recommended not to mix the pink coolant with any other antifreeze apart from the orange. Mixing pink with any other antifreeze will thicken the mixture and clog the coolant flow to the engine.
Thus, it forms a jelly-like substance that doesn’t stay pure liquid and gets into a solid or semi-solid state, ending the whole purpose of adding a coolant to your vehicle. It leads to corrosion and, thus, gradual damage to the engine.
#2. Does orange antifreeze turn pink?
There are coolants or antifreeze available in the market for a reason. They aren’t there to make the fluids look pretty but for the drivers to know which kind of coolant they are.
Antifreeze not only differs in colors, like green, orange, or pink, but when mixed, they can turn into different colors. For instance, orange antifreeze can turn pink when distilled water is added.
The reason why orange turns to pink when distilled water is added is due to the presence of Dexcool. So, yes, orange antifreeze does turn into pink.
#3. What is pink antifreeze used for?
Pink antifreeze is usually used for alloy engines and meets the G-12 coolant specification, primarily found in Japanese vehicles.
However, European pink antifreeze is used on cars like Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi. Thus, it provides excellent protection against corrosion, rust, and pitting to all system metals.
#4. What kind of antifreeze is pink?
Pink antifreeze is used to reduce corrosion and extend the vehicle’s life for a long time. It is usually used in Japanese automakers and vehicles, including Toyota, Lexus, and Scion.
The pink coolant is an organic acid technology (AOT) known for its more comprehensive services. It is less conventional than other colored coolants and promises better anti-corrosion services.
You might like to read: How Long Does It Take Antifreeze To Circulate
#5. Are all pink coolants the same?
Coolants are colored differently for a reason – each tall about their properties, so you can use the one that serves your purpose accordingly.
However, all pink coolants are not the same. So, it is essential to read the information on the label of the bottle you plan to buy. Please do not mix the two coolants because they are of the same colors, and choose as per the model and engine of your vehicle.
A Few Final Words
The main point is that all coolants come with properties that suit different vehicles. So, you must check the label of the coolant you are about to buy, or else it will cause damage to your vehicle instead of preventing the same.
Even though pink and orange antifreeze can be mixed and extend the life of most engines, you must still seek guidance from a professional or an expert. So, go ahead and educate yourself on the matter before you call for a decision.
Thank you for reading the article, we hope it answered all your questions. If you have lingering doubts, feel free to drop us a word in the comments section.