What Is G12 Antifreeze - The Difference From G11, G12 +, G13 And ...

Antifreeze is essential for cooling a car engine. Today, coolants are classified into four types, each with different additives and certain properties. All antifreeze you see on store shelves is composed of water and ethylene glycol, and that's where their similarities end. So, how do coolants differ from each other, beyond color and cost? How to choose the right antifreeze for your car? Can you mix different coolants and dilute them with water? Read on.

What is antifreeze?

Antifreeze is the common name for vehicle coolant. Regardless of classification, antifreeze contains either propylene glycol or ethylene glycol, along with its own additive package. 

Ethylene glycol is a toxic dihydric alcohol. In its pure form, it is an oily liquid with a sweet taste, a boiling point of approximately 200 degrees Celsius, and a freezing point of -12.5 degrees Celsius. Remember that ethylene glycol is a dangerous poison, and the lethal dose for humans is 300 grams. Incidentally, the poison is neutralized with ethyl alcohol.

Propylene glycol is a new word in the world of coolants. These antifreezes are used in all modern vehicles, which meet strict emission standards. Furthermore, propylene glycol-based antifreeze has excellent lubricating and anticorrosive properties. This alcohol is produced using the light phase of petroleum distillation.

Where and how antifreeze is used

Antifreeze isn't just used in automobiles. It's often used in heating systems in homes and other buildings. In our case, the main function of antifreeze is to maintain the engine's operating temperature at a specified level. The coolant is contained within a closed jacket around the engine and line, and also passes through the cabin, providing warm air when the heater is on. Some vehicles have a heat exchanger for the automatic transmission, where the antifreeze and oil flow in parallel within a single housing, regulating each other's temperature.

Previously, cars used a coolant called “Tosol”, the main requirements of which were:

• maintaining operating temperature;
• lubricating properties.

This is one of the cheapest fluids and is absolutely not suitable for use in modern cars. A number of antifreezes have already been developed for them: G11, G12, G12+(++), and G13.

Antifreeze G11

G11 antifreeze is produced on a classic silicate base and contains a package of inorganic additives. This type of coolant was used in cars manufactured before 1996 (although some modern cars manufactured before 2016 have approvals allowing the use of G11). In the CIS, it was called "Tosol." 

Thanks to its silicate base, G11 performs the following functions:

• creates protection for surfaces, preventing ethylene glycol from damaging them;
• slows down the spread of corrosion.

When choosing this type of antifreeze (its color is blue and green), pay attention to two features:

• The shelf life does not exceed 3 years, regardless of mileage. During use, the protective layer thins, and these particles, when released into the coolant, lead to accelerated wear and tear, as well as damage to the water pump.
• The protective layer does not tolerate high temperatures, more than 105 degrees, so the heat transfer of G11 is low.

All the disadvantages can be avoided by changing the antifreeze in a timely manner and preventing the engine from overheating. 

Also remember that G11 is not suitable for vehicles with aluminum cylinder blocks and radiators, as the coolant is unable to protect them at high temperatures. Be careful when choosing budget brands like Euroline or Polyarnik; ask for a hydrometer test, as it's not uncommon for coolants labeled "-40°C" to actually measure -20°C or higher.

 Antifreeze G12, G12+ and G12++

G12 antifreeze is red or pink. It no longer contains silicates, but is based on carboxylate compounds and ethylene glycol. The average service life of this coolant is 4-5 years. Thanks to properly selected additives, its anti-corrosion properties are selective—a film is formed only in areas damaged by rust. G12 antifreeze is used in high-speed engines with an operating temperature of 90-110 degrees Celsius.

G12 has one drawback: its anti-corrosion properties only appear in the presence of rust.

G12 is most often sold as a concentrate marked "-78°" or "-80°," so you need to calculate the amount of coolant in the system and dilute it with distilled water. The water-to-antifreeze ratio will be indicated on the label.

Regarding G12+ antifreeze: it's not much different from its predecessor. It's red in color, and the upgraded version is safer and more environmentally friendly. It contains anti-corrosion additives that work specifically for specific applications.

G12++: Most often purple in color, it's an improved version of carboxylate coolants. This lobed antifreeze differs from G12 and G12+ by the presence of silicate additives, which allows its anti-corrosion properties to be targeted and prevent rust formation.

Antifreeze G13

This new class of antifreeze is available in purple. This hybrid antifreeze has a similar composition, but a more optimal ratio of silicate and organic components. It also boasts improved protective properties. It is recommended to change it every 5 years.

Antifreeze G11, G12 and G13 – what’s the difference?

The question often arises: can different antifreezes be mixed? To find out, it's necessary to delve into the characteristics of each coolant to understand compatibility.

The huge difference between G11 and G12 isn't the color, but the key composition: the former has an inorganic/ethylene glycol base. It can be mixed with any antifreeze, as long as it's compatible with the G11 class.

The difference between G12 and G13 is that the latter has a propylene glycol base, and its environmental safety class is several times higher.

Regarding mixing coolants:

• G11 does not mix with G12, you can only add G12+ and G13;
• G12 mixes with G12+.

Questions and Answers:

What is antifreeze used for? It's the working fluid of a car's engine cooling system. It has a high boiling point and consists of water and additives that lubricate the pump and other cooling system components.

Why is antifreeze called that? Anti-freeze (against) freeze (to freeze). This is often the name given to all non-freezing liquids used in cars. Unlike antifreeze, antifreeze has a lower crystallization temperature.

What types of antifreeze are there? Ethylene glycol, carboxylate ethylene glycol, hybrid ethylene glycol, lobrid ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. They also come in different colors: red, blue, and green.