7 Best Antifreeze for Aluminum Engines in 2020 (Reviews and Guide)

Is an antifreeze the same as a coolant? Well, they both serve the same purpose in your engine however, an antifreeze is more resistant to extremely cold conditions.

Saving that single penny every single day will in the long run be of great benefit. I am saying this because the antifreeze products that we are about to look at come with components that prevent parts of your engine from corroding. This prolongs the service life of your engine components which will enable you to save a lot on maintenance costs that you would have probably incurred when using a sub- standard anti- freeze. And this not all as they come with so much more benefits to your engine and cooling system that you shall see.

Comparison Table Best Antifreeze for Aluminum engines

Brand	Max. boiling point	Max. freezing point	Check on Amazon
Evans High- performance waterless engine coolant	375 degrees	-40 degrees	Buy here
Star Brite Star- Cool Premium Synthetic engine coolant	265 degrees	-26 degrees	Buy here
Valvoline Zerex Original Green Antifreeze/ Coolant	330 degrees	-34 degrees	Buy here
Engine Ice TYDS008 High performance Coolant	256 degrees	-26 degrees	Buy here
Valvoline Zerex G-05 Antifreeze/ coolant	265 degrees	-34 degrees	Buy here
Havoline Xtended Life Antifreeze/ Coolant	267 degrees	-37 degrees	Buy here
Zerex Asian Vehicle Red Silicate Antifreeze/ coolant	265 degrees	-34 degrees	Buy here

7 best antifreeze for Aluminum Engines Overview

Evans High- performance waterless engine coolant

The Evans High performance waterless engine coolant is one of the most sought after antifreeze/ coolant product because it is designed for all types of engines. Gasoline engines? Works perfectly, light diesel engines? Not a problem.

Features

• Waterless engine coolant.
• Bittering agent.
• Max. Boiling point- 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Max. freezing point- -40 degree Fahrenheit.

The engineering behind this coolant is impressive as you can even use it on any of your collection vintage cars and be assured great performance from your engine without it overheating. This coolant doesn’t vaporize even when there is a lot of heat being emitted in the engine as it has a boiling point of up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit therefore the coolant will run through the engine block efficiently without boiling over. Aside from preventing overheating of your car’s engine, this feature prevents the coolant liquid from evaporating and also reduces strain on the radiator which provides your engine with efficient cooling throughout.

Another feature that comes with this coolant is that it doesn’t contain any water in it which prevents the coolant pipes from the radiator to the engine block and water pump from corroding. This will help you save a lot on maintenance costs as you won’t have to keep on replacing your coolant pipes frequently. In addition to this, the Evans High- performance coolant works efficiently every time the engine is running and eliminates any form of engine knock even during pre- ignition. There is not only one, but two advantages as a result of this as your engine will deliver more power efficiently and give you more gas mileage consistently.

Pros

• It prevents corrosion.
• Ensures great performance from you engine.
• Improves fuel economy.
• It doesn’t vaporize.

Cons

• Lower cooling point than competitors.

Verdict

The reason this coolant is among the best antifreeze products in the market is because it guarantees you great performance in not only aluminum engines, but also every other types of engines. It is a very good choice to consider as it is water- free which effectively prevents any form of corrosion and high vapour pressure in your engine’s cooling system.

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Star Brite Star- Cool Premium Synthetic engine coolant

The Star Brite Star – Cool Premium synthetic coolant is highly rated as an anti-freeze/ coolant because it delivers significantly better performance as compared to the OEM coolants.

Features

• PCT additive.
• Max. Boiling point- 265 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Max freezing point – -26 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Propylene glycol base.

It also exceeds all the international standards for products set by the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM). Has this got your attention yet? Well, this coolant contains PCT additives (Precision Coolant Technology) that help to maintain the temperatures in the engine in both extremely cold and hot conditions allowing the engine to produce its optimal horsepower efficiently. This technology allows the engine to deliver great performance consistently giving you smiles per gallon each and every time you hit the highway for a drive. In addition to this, the additives also enables this coolant to reduce the normal temperatures required for the engine to run smoothly faster than the traditional coolants that are in the market. Therefore, it ensures that your engine is healthy and operates smoothly throughout.

And this is not all, as the Star Brite star – cool premium coolant also passivates aluminum and any other type of metal used in engine components which prevents them from corroding. Moreover, the propylene glycol component used in its construction is not toxic as it also prevents the radiator and coolant pipes from corrosion. One advantage about this is that your engine parts and cooling system will last you a long time as you won’t have to worry about replacing them frequently, which in the long run will help save on costs. The Star Brite Star- Cool Premium coolant also has a melting point of 265 degrees Fahrenheit and freezes down to -26 degrees Fahrenheit making it ideal to use for every season in the year i.e. summer, autumn and even winter.

Pros

• Ideal for use in every season.
• High melting point and low freezing point.
• Prevents corrosion.
• Compatible with different coolants.

Cons

• Easily contaminated.

Verdict

The Star Brite Star – Cool Premium coolant is among the top contenders for being the best antifreeze coolant simply because it comes with great technology that will help maintain good condition of your engine throughout. Also, once you start using this coolant you won’t have to replace it when a different season kicks in because it is ideal for use throughout the year.

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Valvoline Zerex Original Green Antifreeze/ Coolant

Valvoline is for sure a well-known brand both in the United S`ttates and other parts of the world as they are known for their high quality products all across the motoring industry i.e. racing, heavy duty 4×4’s etc.

Features

• It contains ethylene glycol.
• Max boiling point – 330 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Max freezing point – -34 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Green in colour.

Their Zerex Original Green coolant contains ethylene glycol which makes it ideal for use in both aluminum gasoline engines on passenger cars and also heavy duty diesel engines if you own a fleet of trucks. This component enables the coolant to serve you for a long time as it works efficiently up to 100, 000 miles before it starts degrading and losing some of its properties which enables you to spend a lot less on anti – freeze coolants over the years. Its absolute value for your buck, right? In addition to this, the coolant also consists of low silicate which protects all the metal surfaces in the engine block, coolant pipes and the radiator from any form of corrosion enabling them to serve you for a longer time which helps you save on maintenance costs.

The Zerex Original Green Antifreeze/ coolant is diluted with water in a 50:50 ratio which enables it to have a very high boiling point of up to 330 degrees Fahrenheit and a low freezing point of -34 degrees Fahrenheit. These boiling and freezing points are essential as they enable the coolant to operate efficiently even under extreme conditions maintaining the required temperatures of the engine consistently. When we talk about compatibility, this coolant is also compatible with a number of brands of coolant in the American market and even contains a superior grade defoamer which will protect your engine gaskets from any harm.

Pros

• It prevents rust on metal components.
• Fights corrosion in coolant pipes.
• Mixes with a number of coolants.
• Applicable even in heavy duty vehicles.

Cons

• The ethylene glycol is harmful to the environment.

Verdict

The Valvoline Zerex Original Green Antifreeze Coolant is approved by the American Society for Testing and Material which clearly shows you that it is a product made of very high quality. Therefore, if you own a number of vehicles, including heavy duty trucks, this may just be the product that will satisfy your vehicles’ engine needs as it is applicable to various engines guaranteeing you proper mileage.

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Engine Ice TYDS008 High performance Coolant

How many miles did you manage to cover before your engine temperature spiked up the last time you pushed your bike to its absolute limit? I bear good news if at all you didn’t manage to cover too much ground.

Features

• Propylene glycol.
• Boiling point – 256 degrees Fahrenheit
• Freezing point- -26 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Phosphate free.

The Engine Ice TYDS008 High performance coolant is engineered to maintain the temperature of your engine at its recommended optimum levels throughout which will allow your engine to perform at its peak efficiently without losing any power. This coolant is also made up of biodegradable, phosphate free components that give it a very high boiling point of 256 degrees Fahrenheit and a low freezing point of -26 degrees Fahrenheit, which prevents it from evaporating during excessive heat conditions or freezing during extreme cold conditions such as winter.

Its boiling and freezing points are impressive making it an ideal coolant for high performance engines as you will be guaranteed efficient engine temperatures throughout regardless of the conditions you experience when driving. In addition to this, the Engine Ice TYDS008 High performance coolant is even used in race bikes for competitive racing events such as American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) events and always delivers great performance even when those bikes are pushed to their limits on the tracks. Additionally, the Propylene glycol in the coolant prevents water pump and gasket failures in the engine even when the engine is constantly under high load. This is because it maintains the optimum operating temperatures of the engine more efficiently than standard coolants in the market.

Pros

• Maintains optimum engine temperatures.
• Ideal for high performance engines.
• Guarantees you great performance from the engine.
• Prevents gasket failure in the engine.

Cons

• Limited for use in motorcycles, scooters and ATVs.

Verdict

This coolant is the best product that will enable your bike’s engine to deliver great performance efficiently whether you ride it as a daily or for leisure just on the weekends. I mean, you can definitely take good care of your new 2019 Yamaha R1 or Ducati high performance engine by using the Engine Ice TYDS008 High performance Coolant. We both know that awesome bikes do deserve awesome treatment all the time.

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Valvoline Zerex G-05 Antifreeze/ coolant

Here we look at another product from the Valvoline Brand which is manufactured to be used in both gasoline aluminum engines and diesel engines.

Features

• Low silicate.
• Max. Boiling point – 265 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Max. Freezing point- -34 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Defoamer system.

The Zerex G- 05 antifreeze coolant contains low silicate and is phosphate free which enables it to protect the aluminum components in the engine block and radiator of your car from corroding. Without a doubt, this will enable you to save up on a lot of money that you would have spent on maintenance costs. In addition to this, the coolant also contains nitrite which protects diesel engine cylinders liners from forming holes due to corrosion and additives that prevents hard water deposits on the engine cylinders liners. You won’t have to constantly think about the condition of your engine even if its old as this coolant protects your engine from effects that may cause its eventual failure ensuring that your engine condition is tip top every time.

The Valvoline Zerex G- 05 Free Antifreeze coolant also doesn’t harm any body part of your car in the event you spill it by mistake on your car as it has a superior grade defoamer system. Lastly the boiling point of this coolant is 265 degrees Fahrenheit while its freezing point is -34 degrees Fahrenheit. This figures are achieved when you mix it with water in a 50:50 ratio which enables your car’s engine to operate at its optimal performance even during extremely harsh climate conditions.

Pros

• Great freezing and boiling point.
• Prevents corrosion effectively.
• Ideal for use in both gasoline and diesel engines.
• Maintains good condition of your engine.

Cons

• It’s easy to get the coolant- water mixture wrong.

Verdict

The Valvoline Zerex G-05 antifreeze coolant is a very good choice if you are looking for a coolant that is of high quality and affordable. It is also ideal for use in both gasoline and heavy duty diesel engines which makes it a very good pick.

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Havoline Xtended Life Antifreeze/ Coolant

This coolant is manufactured to be used in a wide variety of vehicles as it passes the OEM standards set for most vehicles when they leave the factory. It is applicable in vehicles manufactured in Asia, Europe and even cars locally made here in the United States of America.

Features

• Ethylene glycol.
• Max. Boiling point- 267 Degrees Fahrenheit.
• Max. Freezing point- -37 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Organic additive formula.

The Havoline Xtended Life antifreeze coolant contains ethylene glycol in its structure which gives it long service life before its properties start becoming ineffective. Calculating the number of miles this coolant will take you may actually make you consider purchasing it right now. However, I will make your work easier and state the figures for you. This coolant works efficiently for 150,000 miles without losing its properties meaning that you will be having very long intervals before doing a coolant change. Mathematically, this will allow you to save a lot of money which you’ll be able to do it for something else rather than constantly buying coolant.

Another feature that makes this coolant stand out is that it does not contain silicate components like most coolant products however, road tests were done on vehicles using this coolant and it proved to have better heat transfer in the engine as compared to its competitors. It also reduces the need of frequently changing the water pump of your car even after the car has covered great mileage. The Havoline Xtended life Antifreeze/ coolant has a boiling point of 265 degrees Fahrenheit and freezing point of -37 degrees Fahrenheit which enables the engine to run smoothly even in extreme climatic conditions.

Pros

• Great stability even after it is stored for a long time.
• Prolongs service life of your cooling system.
• Long service life.
• Passes OEM standards effectively.

Cons

• It is not pre- mixed.

Verdict

Without a doubt, this product is among the best antifreeze/ coolant products in the market as it maximises on making the engine components of your car reliable and serve you for a long time. Choosing this coolant will enable you to save on maintenance costs of your car.

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Zerex Asian Vehicle Red Silicate Antifreeze/ coolant

This coolant is made to replace the the OEM coolant that comes in cars of Asian descent i.e. Toyota, Lexus, Scion etc. The reason it is recommended by Asian manufactures is because it contains a HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) formula with additives made of phosphate that enables the coolant to protect coolant pipes and the radiator from corrosion.

Features

• HOAT Formula.
• Max. Freezing point – -34 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Max. Boiling point – 265 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Silicate free.

One long term benefit about corrosion prevention is that it prolongs the service life of your cooling system therefore you won’t have to worry about replacing your cooling system parts frequently. In addition to this, the Zerex Asian Vehicle red silicate coolant also guarantees you great mileage before it starts losing its properties as it works efficiently up to 150, 000 miles. On average, we are looking at 5 years without you having to change the coolant in your car because it is silicate free.

Another benefit of this coolant being silicate free is that it helps prevent scale deposits from forming on the engine cylinders which enables your engine to run efficiently for a very long time. This coolant has a freezing point of -34 degrees Fahrenheit and a boiling point of 265 degrees Fahrenheit which prevents boil over and freezing in your engine consistently.

Pros

• Prevents corrosion.
• Long service life.
• High boiling point and low freezing point.
• Ideal for use in gasoline and diesel engines.

Cons

• Fixed for use in Asian manufactured vehicles only.

Verdict

The Zerex Asian Vehicle Red Silicate Antifreeze/ coolant is the best coolant to use if you drive a Toyota, Lexus or scion as it performs better than the OEM coolant and is highly recommended by the manufacturers. You definitely can’t go wrong with this product.

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What to consider when buying an antifreeze/coolant for your vehicle.

Fuel type

It is very important to understand what fuel is recommended for your engine. Diesel engines are more sensitive as they usually have cylinder walls in the block that corrode easily therefore they need coolants/ antifreeze that have additives such as nitrite which will prevent this from happening. Petrol engines are different and require their recommended antifreeze/coolants to enable them to run efficiently.

Type of antifreeze

Antifreeze technology has really evolved over the years, hence there are two commonly known technologies that have been implemented on coolants today. The first one is Organic Acid Technology (OAT) which is mostly preferred for cars with aluminum engines and radiators. The second one is Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) which contains additives such as silicates that help your engine perform efficiently. Your car’s handbook provides information on which specific antifreeze will best suit your car, and we also go into detail the following article of the differences between HOAT and OAT coolants.

Mixture

This is basically whether the antifreeze is sold as 100% solution or requires to be mixed with water in a 50:50 ratio. However, you should always avoid using hard water for the mixture as I might increase chances of rust forming on the cooling system.

Temperature range

It is advisable to buy antifreeze that will be suited for your weather conditions. If you live in a place where temperature drops below 34 degrees it is preferred to get an anti-freeze with a 70:30 mixture to water. A 50:50 mixture with water works efficiently in areas that are much hotter.

Conclusion

We have seen 7 of the best antifreeze/ coolant products the market has to offer and without a doubt they consist of very impressive features that make them stand out. They all come with very low freezing points and high boiling points which make them the most ideal coolants for use, as they will maintain optimum engine temperatures efficiently even if you come from areas that consist of extreme weather conditions.

FAQs

Can the radiator be filled with water instead of antifreeze in very cold weather conditions?

No, it is not advisable to do this because regular water in the cooling system will freeze which won’t allow the engine to operate efficiently at its required temperature.

Is there any difference between green and red antifreeze?

The major difference is that green antifreeze lasts for a shorter time before it starts losing its components as compared to the red antifreeze.