Antifreeze is a critical component of your car’s cooling system, protecting the engine from freezing in cold weather and overheating in hot conditions. However, not all antifreezes are the same. Choosing the correct type is vital to ensuring your engine's health and performance. Let’s explore the key types:

Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT)

Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) antifreeze is the traditional green coolant used in older vehicles, especially those manufactured before the mid-1990s. It is composed of silicates and phosphates that prevent corrosion in engine components. While effective at protecting against rust and scaling, it has a shorter lifespan than modern formulas and requires replacement every 2–3 years or 30,000 miles. IAT is ideal for vehicles with brass, copper, or cast iron components but is incompatible with newer systems.

A great example of IAT within the ChemCool range is ChemCool Blue in both concentrated and ready to use.

Organic Acid Technology (OAT)

Organic Acid Technology (OAT) antifreeze is a modern coolant commonly used in newer vehicles due to its long-lasting properties. It relies on organic acids, without silicates or phosphates, to inhibit corrosion effectively. OAT antifreeze typically lasts 5 years or 150,000 miles, making it a durable option for modern cars. Many General Motors models use OAT-based Dex-Cool. While OAT provides excellent protection for aluminium engine components and is environmentally friendlier, mixing it with other antifreeze types can reduce its effectiveness and potentially cause sludge buildup.

ChemCool’s example of this would be either the Red or Yellow colouring of coolant. 

Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)

Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) antifreeze combines the best elements of IAT and OAT to provide a balanced approach to engine protection. It incorporates organic acids along with silicates, offering enhanced corrosion resistance for both modern and high-performance engines. HOAT antifreeze has a lifespan of about 5 years or 150,000 miles and is commonly found in European, Asian, and some American vehicles. While it offers robust corrosion protection and compatibility with modern systems, it is slightly more expensive and must be matched to specific vehicle requirements.

ChemCool Premium Blue is a perfect replacement for Hybrid coolants.

Silicated Organic Acid Technology (SOAT)

Silicated Organic Acid Technology (SOAT) antifreeze is a specialized variant of OAT designed for advanced engine systems. It includes organic acids with added silicates to offer superior protection against corrosion, particularly for aluminium-heavy engines. Like OAT, SOAT typically lasts up to 5 years or 150,000 miles and is often used in European and Asian vehicles. It provides excellent durability and corrosion protection, though it may not be suitable for older vehicles or those with non-aluminium components.

If this is the coolant you need, ChemCool Lilac is the one for you. 

Glysantin Specs: What are they?

Many types of coolants use ASTM, BS and OEM approvals and standards to indicate compatibility and reliability. Glysantin specs incorporate all the mentioned standards into one to create a more streamlined experience for the user that can be found in many owner’s manuals. ChemCool uses Glysantin specifications on the front of various bottles, to allow you to quickly find the antifreeze suited for you.

Conclusion

To ensure the health of your vehicle’s cooling system, always consult your owner’s manual to identify the correct antifreeze type. Mixing incompatible antifreezes can compromise their effectiveness and damage your engine. While IAT is best suited for older vehicles, OAT, HOAT, and SOAT are designed for modern engines with longer service lives. Understanding the differences between these types will help you maintain peak performance and avoid costly repairs.