Coolant experts in the industry were surveyed about the most important things fleets should know when it comes to their coolant. Below is a brief guide to your trucks’ coolant, in the form of 10 of their most important coolant tips.
- Know what kind of coolant your truck original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommends, and what each truck was factory-filled with. If you’ve bought a used truck, you’ll want to know what coolant the previous owner was using as well.
- There are quite a few different types of coolant, including Conventional Fully Formulated, Hybrid and/or Organic Acid Technology, Extended Life coolants and those with and without nitrite. You’ll want to familiarise yourself with these and know what your trucks use.
- Do not mix these different types of coolant in the same truck. The problem with topping off a fully formulated cooling system with extended life coolant is you’re diluting the additive technologies in both products, and in this case they don’t work together to fight corrosion.
- A recommendation is to select a pre-mixed solution to ensure that the concentration is correct and consistent.
- You should find out whether the coolant supplier has certified if the product offered is made from virgin or recycled materials and complies with minimum requirements for heavy-duty coolant.
- If you’re buying bulk coolant, be sure to include specific instructions regarding coolant quality during transit and delivery.
- You also need to find out whether you need nitrited or nitrite-free coolant, and whether you need to condition any new radiators.
- Consider as well whether your fleet wants all of its coolants to be consolidated and/or replaced.
- If you’re looking at switching coolant brands or types, it is recommended that you ask the question: what am I trying to achieve with my coolant change? Coolant must do two things well, transfer heat from the engine and keep the cooling system clean by preventing and eliminating future corrosion for the life of the coolant so it works as it is designed.
- Switching from one type of coolant to another is not easy, it’s both costly and difficult to do so.
Source: Caltex (03 December 2020)
