Usage & Maintenance
Why does coolant have to be changed?
Coolant has to be changed every three to four years depending on the product and the recommendation of the vehicle manufacturer. This is important, as the additives contained in coolants gradually degrade. Coolants retain their antifreeze function for a long time, but the corrosion inhibitors degrade over time and no longer protect the cooling system from damage.
In which ratio should GLYSANTIN® concentrate products be diluted with water?
When changing the coolant, we would always recommend that you dilute GLYSANTIN® concentrate products with water at a ratio of 50 : 50 in order to obtain the best possible protection against corrosion, overheating and frost. The concentration of GLYSANTIN® should be no less than 33% and no more than 60%. If you are looking for a product to use directly, please use the pre-diluted GLYSANTIN® Ready Mix products. As they are already pre-diluted at a ratio of 50 : 50, they can be used immediately.
Can normal tap water be used to dilute GLYSANTIN® concentrate products?
Normal tap water can usually be used to dilute coolant concentrates if it does not exceed 3.5 mmol/l (20 degrees German water hardness) or does not contain more than 100 ppm chlorine or sulfate. We recommend using demineralized or distilled water. If you would like to use the product directly without dilution, please use GLYSANTIN® Ready Mix products as they are already diluted with water and ready for use.
Can different GLYSANTIN® products be mixed with each other?
Chemically, but we do not recommend this. Each product contains a different combination of additives that are compatible with the different materials in the cooling system. Mixing different additives can impair their overall performance and reduce the level of corrosion protection.
Can GLYSANTIN® products be mixed with coolants from other manufacturers?
Generally, we do not recommend this. The composition of different products vary widely, and mixing them can lead to severe compatibility problems.
Do GLYSANTIN® Ready Mix products have to be diluted with water?
GLYSANTIN® Ready Mix products are already diluted with water at a ratio of 50:50. They are ready for use and do not have to be diluted any further.
Can GLYSANTIN® Ready Mix products be mixed with same type of GLYSANTIN® Concentrate?
As this is the same product, one being a concentrate and the other already being diluted with water (e.g. GLYSANTIN® G48® Concentrate and GLYSANTIN® G48® Ready Mix), these can be mixed.
What should I do if the cooling system is filled with the wrong coolant?
Drain the coolant completely and flush the system thoroughly with water (we recommend a 15% GLYSANTIN® mixture) and then fill with the correct GLYSANTIN® in the appropriate concentration.
What happens if the wrong coolant or mixture is used?
Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages; this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator. The protective layers in the cooling system gradually become thinner and more porous and the engine coolant needs to be changed at more frequent intervals. Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket. This can lead to damage to the engine in the worst case.
How often do coolants have to be changed?
In the cooling system, pH buffers and additives are gradually degraded and become less effective with time. We therefore recommend a complete change of coolant every three to four years. It is also strongly recommended to clean the cooling system and completely renew the coolant whenever the cooling system is repaired. This prevents rust, contamination and suspended particles remaining in the system leading to scale, corrosion and other damage.
What happens in the cooling system?
On average, about 150 litres of coolant are pumped around the cooling system of a car engine each minute. This is even more in commercial vehicles. In doing so, the mixture of water and coolant comes into contact with numerous different materials. Unless the correct engine coolant is selected, the high temperatures and high pressure differences in the system create ideal conditions for corrosion and cavitation. Without any protection, the cooling water can etch deep holes into the metal and damage the cylinder head, cylinder liners and water pump. This can lead to failure of the cooling system and even damage the engine beyond repair. For this reason, vehicle manufacturers have very specific demands on the performance of engine coolants, depending on which materials they come into contact with. GLYSANTIN® has been working in close cooperation with all leading automobile manufacturers for many decades and has developed a suitable product for every engine.
Why are coolants colored?
The color of the coolant is defined in the specification from the vehicle manufacturers and is also a small but important part of the official approval from the vehicle manufacturers. Important note: It is not possible to identify the engine coolant by the color alone. The color of the engine coolant does not identify the chemical and technical properties.