Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar

443-275-7253

[email protected]

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Services
    • Meet Our Team
      • Dr. Chapman
    • Website Membership
  • Memorials
    • Submit Your Pet Memorial
  • Petsimonials
  • Pet Mobile Care
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Radiator Fluid: What to Use & What to Avoid

Radiator Fluid: What to Use & What to Avoid

Radiator fluid is the antifreeze coolant that is used in your radiator to help cool your car engine. Always making sure that your vehicle has adequate amounts of the correct type of radiator fluid will help keep your car engine cooler and allow your car engine to last longer. You should frequently check the levels of coolant in your car's radiator and cooling system and occasionally replace the radiator fluid in your vehicle. So, it is always important to know what type of radiator fluid is best for your vehicle.

Appropriate Type of Radiator Fluid

For most vehicles, a glycol based antifreeze coolant is the best type of coolant to be used in any vehicle radiator. However, using the glycol based antifreeze alone is usually not a good idea. In most cases, you will need to mix the glycol based antifreeze with a certain amount of water.

If you live in more temperate climate areas such as states in the South or Southwest, you should mix a glycol antifreeze coolant with an equal amount of water. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a 50/50 mix of glycol antifreeze and water when vehicles require adequate cooling but do not need much protection from the cold of a harsh winter. However, a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water will offer adequate winter protection for a vehicle in all but the most extreme winter environments.

If you live in colder regions of the country, you should mix your glycol based antifreeze with water as well. However, you should use 70% glycol antifreeze and 30% water to provide additional weatherization protection for your vehicle. This will help prevent your engine block from freezing up in extremely cold temperatures.

Radiator Fluid - What Not to Use

When a vehicle radiator overheats and overflows, many people simply add water to the radiator and forget it. While adding water is a good temporary stopgap measure, you should always add antifreeze to the radiator or radiator reserve tank as soon as possible. Using water alone will eventually cause your vehicle to overeat again and offers no protection against the car engine block from freezing up in the winter. You should only use water in an emergency, and never in place of a quality antifreeze coolant.

Another fluid that is commonly mistaken for antifreeze and added to the radiator is automatic transmission fluid. Although some types of antifreeze coolant are of a similar red color, antifreeze coolant is much different in composition than automatic transmission fluid.

Automatic transmission fluid is not designed to withstand the high temperatures that are created in your car engine and offers little or no protection at all from overheating. In addition, using automatic transmission fluid in your car radiator may result in damage to the engine block of your vehicle. It may also cause radiator hoses and lines to become clogged as well and may result in having to have hoses and fittings replaced. Automatic transmission fluid is easily differentiated from antifreeze in the fact that antifreeze will always come in a large 1 gallon container whereas automatic transmission fluid usually comes in a small can.

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

Contact Us

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • ONLINE FORMS

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.

Office Hours

Monday:

10:00 AM-6:30 PM

Tuesday:

11:00 AM-4:00 PM

Wednesday:

10:00 AM-6:30 PM

Thursday:

10:00 AM-6:30 pm

Friday:

Emergencies Only

Saturday:

11:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Our Location

Testimonials

  • ""It is nice to rely on his good medical judgment and his caring services.""
  • ""I highly recommend Dr. Bishop, especially if you are stressed out about a serious pet health problem. He is a very kind-hearted person.""
  • 8 Common Reasons Why Your Dog is Snoring

    Do you know why your dog snores? ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Gastroenteritis in Pets

    Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice ...

    Read More
  • What You Need to Know About Antibiotics

    Using antibiotics incorrectly may harm, rather than help, your pet. ...

    Read More
  • Training Tips for Your Pets

    Has training your pet been a frustrating experience? These training tips may help. ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • Why A Vet Is Your Best Defense During A Zombie Apocalypse

    Could your veterinarian help you survive a zombie apocalypse? ...

    Read More
  • World Rabies Day

    Has your pet's rabies vaccine expired? Update it during World Rabies Day on September 28. ...

    Read More

Appointment Request

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map