MAXSAFE Frequently Asked Questions
You will find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions in this section. To see the answer, just click on the question.
Antifreeze is a liquid substance which circulates through an internal combustion engine and draws off excessive heat. Antifreeze, is primarily a mixture of water and ethylene glycol. Antifreeze protects the cooling system against both freezing and boiling over. When used at normal strength (50% antifreeze, 50% water), it can lower the freezing point of the coolant to -34 degrees F. and raise its boiling temperature to 276 degrees F. Also known as engine coolant.
Antifreeze contains chemicals that protect your engine against rust and corrosion, as well as freeze-up and boil over protection. Water is required to activate the chemicals in the inhibitor package. Furthermore, adding water (up to a certain point) to antifreeze actually lowers the freeze-up and heightens the boil over protection provided. A mix of 40% antifreeze and 60% water provides freeze-up protection down to -10°F and boil over protection up to 259°F. In comparison, a mix of 70% antifreeze and 30% water provides freeze-up protection down to -62°F and boil over protection up to 270°F. However, we do not recommend adding more than 70% antifreeze. Over 70% would limit the corrosion and freeze up protection and heat transfer capabilities of the antifreeze. Pure antifreeze freezes at -13°.
ASTM publishes the following recommendation for make up water (ASTMD-4985).
| ppm (max.) | Grains Per Gallon (max.) | |
| Chlorides | 40 | 2.5 |
| Sulfates | 100 | 5.8 |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 310 | 20 |
| Total Hardness (calcium and magnesium) | 170 | 10 |
Tap water is commonly used for mixing with antifreeze, however it must meet ASTM D-4985. Deionized water or distilled water is preferred as it has fewer reactive chemicals such as Magnesium, Silicate, Chloride, Oxygen, resulting in optimum coolant life and performance. Do not use water softened with salts to mix with antifreeze. Also, do not use well water as it normally is very high in mineral content.
Some European car manufacturers recommend that phosphate free antifreeze be used in their vehicles. The reason is that some water has an extremely high mineral content. If you mixed an antifreeze containing phosphates, which are part of the corrosion inhibitor package, with high mineral content water, the phosphates in the antifreeze may “drop out” and form deposits in your cooling system that can lead to corrosion. MaxSafe antifreeze is phosphate free.
Recycling is the best choice. All laws and regulations should be observed when disposing of Antifreeze/Coolant and Radiator Fluids. Call the EPA or the office of your state or local environment agency for details on disposal procedures.
While temperatures and climates vary, most vehicles should use a 50/50 mixture, consult your owner's manual.
Ethylene Glycol: Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze due to its properties as a freezing point depressant. When mixed with water 50% each the freeze point is -34°.
Propylene Glycol: The low toxicity of propylene glycol, which is unique among the glycols, means that ingestion of the product need not cause severe illness or death. In common with the other glycols, propylene glycol is colorless and odorless. When mixed with water 70% propylene glycol and 30% water the freeze point is -34°. You need a lot higher concentrate of propylene glycol then ethylene glycol to safely protect to -34°.
No. Not all recycled antifreeze is created equal. Many recycling methods do not remove harmful contaminants such as soluble salts. Commonly used recycling processes such as filtration, chemical filtration, chemical filtration/oxidation, and centrifugal separation/filtration can remove large particulate but not dissolved salts.
Filtration alone will not remove chlorides from used antifreeze. Additional processes, such as distillation and reverse osmosis, are required to remove chlorides from used antifreeze. Chlorides, which are especially aggressive toward aluminum and can attack copper as well, and are leading contaminants for causing corrosion of cooling systems.
Engine coolant is a generic term used to describe fluids that remove heat from an engine. Antifreeze is a more specific term used to describe products used to provide protection against freezing. Many people use these terms interchangeably, as we also do in this FAQ.
Yes, our Antifreeze/Coolant is fully aluminum compatible.
Organic Acid Technology (OAT) engine coolant is Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant. It is an engine coolant that is based on fully neutralized organic acid corrosion inhibitors. These corrosion inhibitors last longer than traditional corrosion inhibitors, and this is why OAT coolants are typically long life products. These coolants do not contain phosphates, borates, silicates, etc.
Incompatibility between coolants — chemical instability where the corrosion inhibitors fall out of the coolant. Performance issues — the performance of the combined mixture is only as good as the weakest link.
The freeze point of undiluted coolant will only be -13°C, and therefore you could have freeze point problems in the wintertime. Too much corrosion inhibitor could lead to inhibitor fallout, especially in those cases where SCAs (supplemental coolant additive) are added. Physical properties of pure coolant are not the same as premixed coolant.
Some coolants are sensitive to hard water, which can cause some corrosion inhibitors to form insoluble salts in the water. The result is premature coolant failure. Hard water salts will deposit on hot areas within the coolant system creating insulating films, which contribute to overheating problems in the coolant system.
Step1: Before you start to change Antifreeze/coolant change on a cold engine read the user manual how to change coolant/antifreeze comes with vehicle.
Step2: Set the vehicle's antifreeze/coolant tank and remove the cap.
Step3: Take away the radiator cap from the radiator filler neck. DO NOT remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot.
Step4: Set the radiator drain plug below the radiator and place a large bucket beneath it. Open the radiator drain plug and drain the old antifreeze/coolant to bucket.
Step5: Put the used antifreeze/coolant into sealed containers and label them as "used antifreeze."
Step6: Inspect the condition of the cooling system tube. If any appear fragile or loopy, they should be replaced.
Step7: Before refilling with new antifreeze, the cooling system must be flushed to clean the engine.
Step8: Add clean de-ionized or de-mineralized water to the radiator and then to the antifreeze reservoir tank until the level reaches the full cold mark on the tank. Replace the radiator and tank caps.
Step9: Run the engine with the heater on high until a normal operating temperature is reached.
Step10: Stop the engine and allow it to cool completely.
Step11: After the engine cooled, remove the radiator and tank caps...and drain the entire cooling system again. When completed, close the drain plug and fill the system with plain water.
Step12: Add Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrate equal to half of the cooling system's capacity.
Step13: Run the engine with the heater on high to fully disperse the new antifreeze throughout the entire cooling system until it reaches normal operating temperature.
Step14: Check the antifreeze/coolant level at the coolant tank.
Step15: As few days pass, check the antifreeze/coolant level again and top it off with the antifreeze/coolant mixture as needed.
In general, follow your OEM's (Original Equipment Manufacturer) guidelines. If you do not have a guide and are using traditional coolant, then change every two years. Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is every 5 years or 250,000 km. Extended Life Heavy Duty is 1,000,000 km, 12,000 hours, or 4 years, whichever comes first. It is important to note that you should check a coolant system at least twice a year. If the coolant is dirty, cloudy, or full of particulate, than the coolant system should be drained, flushed, cleaned, and refilled with a prediluted good quality coolant. Also, the reason for the bad condition of the coolant should be determined.
A refractometer is the most accurate way to check the percent of antifreeze in coolant.
