Different products, different protection mechanisms? It is not just different colors that distinguish the products in the Glysantin® range. Rather it is the different packages of additives and inhibitors, each of which is tailored to the different cooling system requirements and the materials used in the cooling systems.
Basically, there are three different technologies in use today: Hybrid coolants (usually greenish-blue) Here, to put it simply, inorganic and organic inhibitors are responsible for protecting against corrosion. BMW, Mercedes and a few other automotive manufacturers, including vehicles made by the VW Group up until 1996, use this type of coolant.*
The corresponding BASF products are: Glysantin® G48® Glysantin® G05®
OAT coolants (usually reddish-violet) Here, organic salts are responsible for protecting against corrosion. Opel, PSA and vehicles made by the VW Group up until 2007 work with this technology. The coolants used in most Japanese vehicles are very similar to this technology.
Si-OAT coolants of the latest generation (usually reddish-violet) As a result of completely different manufacturing processes, these combine the advantages of hybrid and OAT in a coolant with improved protection against corrosion. In 2008, all types of vehicles counted under the VW Group were changed over to this new technology on the production lines; some models with large engines were even changed over slightly earlier (vehicles built from 2006). So always pay very close attention to the manufacturer's instructions.
The corresponding BASF product is: Glysantin® G40®
What happens if the wrong coolant is used or if coolants are mixed? The wrong coolant in the wrong vehicle can gradually lead to serious damage to the water pump, radiator, hoses and cylinder head gasket. In the worst case, this can in turn cause damage to the engine. If different coolants are mixed together, the different additive packages can interfere with each other's performance, resulting in considerably poorer protection against corrosion.
Intervals between changes Corrosion inhibitors, pH buffers etc. get used up and age over time. That is why we recommend a complete change of coolant every 3-4 years. It is also strongly advisable to clean the cooling system and change the coolant completely whenever repairs are carried out to the cooling system and parts replaced, in order to prevent foreign matter (rust, dirt, particles) from remaining in the system and causing damage.
Engine coolants and the automotive manufacturers' warranties Officially approved coolants can be replaced or changed during the warranty period without affecting the automotive manufacturer's warranty. However, if unapproved coolants are used during the warranty period, this can lead to immediate forfeiture of rights to claim under an automotive manufacturer's warranty.