What cars use OAT coolant?
When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, understanding the type of coolant your car requires is essential. One common type of coolant is OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolant, which is designed to provide long-lasting protection for your engine. In this article, we’ll explore what OAT coolant is, which cars typically use it, and why it’s important to use the correct coolant for your vehicle.
What Is OAT Coolant?
OAT coolant is a type of antifreeze that uses organic acids to prevent corrosion in your car’s cooling system. Unlike traditional coolants that rely on silicates or phosphates, OAT coolant is free of these additives, making it less abrasive and more environmentally friendly. It is known for its extended lifespan, often lasting up to 5 years or 150,000 miles before needing replacement.
Which Cars Use OAT Coolant?
OAT coolant is commonly used in modern vehicles, particularly those manufactured by American and European automakers. Here are some examples of cars that typically use OAT coolant:
- General Motors (GM) vehicles: Many GM cars, including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac models, use OAT coolant. GM brands this coolant as Dex-Cool.
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) vehicles: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles often require OAT coolant, especially newer models.
- European brands: Some European manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and Audi, also use OAT coolant in their vehicles.
- Asian manufacturers: While less common, certain models from brands like Hyundai and Kia may also use OAT coolant, depending on the year and specifications.
It’s important to note that not all vehicles from these manufacturers use OAT coolant. Always consult your owner’s manual or speak with a trusted mechanic to confirm the correct type of coolant for your car.
Why Is Using the Correct Coolant Important?
Using the wrong type of coolant can lead to serious issues, including corrosion, overheating, and damage to your engine’s cooling system. OAT coolant is specifically formulated to work with certain materials and designs found in modern engines. Mixing OAT coolant with other types, such as IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology) or HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology), can reduce its effectiveness and cause chemical reactions that harm your vehicle.
How to Identify OAT Coolant
OAT coolant is typically orange, red, or pink in color, but it’s always best to verify the type by checking the label on the coolant container. Look for terms like “Organic Acid Technology” or the manufacturer’s specific branding, such as Dex-Cool for GM vehicles.
Conclusion
OAT coolant is a popular choice for many modern vehicles due to its long-lasting protection and compatibility with advanced engine designs. If you’re unsure whether your car uses OAT coolant, consult your owner’s manual or visit a trusted auto repair shop like Kevin’s Autos. Using the correct coolant is crucial for maintaining your car’s performance and longevity, so don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles use OAT coolant?
This is the type of coolant usually required for GM, Saab, and VW vehicles. OAT coolants do not have nitrites added. Contamination with nitrite – such as if you were to add the wrong type of coolant to the system – can drastically reduce the performance life of the OAT coolant.
What coolant is compatible with OAT?
OAT (Orange) type coolants: GM® Dexcool®, Texaco® Havoline®, all brands made with Penray 2798 inhibitor technology, Prestone® Extended Life.
Is OAT coolant ok for my car?
Correct. Yes. Any OAT coolant will be fine. Check your owner's manual carefully. It is a fact that there are cooling systems available in Chargers exported to the UAE that are not available in North America. Even if that weren't true, there can still be regional differences in coolant mixtures or maintenance intervals.
Is universal antifreeze OAT?
Because most coolants are OAT coolants, that means they are universally compatible with each other. So, despite the color or the recommendations, if a coolant says “universal,” it can be mixed or topped off with other universal coolants.
Are all orange coolants OAT?
Orange Coolants are also known as OAT coolants.
Can you mix OAT and regular coolant?
Never Mix OAT with Regular Coolant
Adding as little as 10% of regular coolant in an OAT system is enough to cause damage to your machine. Look for the OAT decal before adding or changing coolant to ensure you don't mix coolants and cause gelling inadvertently.
Is OAT coolant the same as DexCool?
Although DexCool is not a specific formula, all three brands that have the label (Texaco Havoline, Prestone Extended Life and Zerex Extended Life) are somewhat similar. In particular, they're OAT coolants, but the similarities go beyond that basic description.
Can you mix OAT coolant with other coolant?
First, what's important to know is that many IAT and OAT coolants do not mix. In fact if they're added into a cooling system together the results can be catastrophic, creating a gelatinous substance that blocks the system and causes widespread damage to internal components.
What is the difference between OAT coolant and regular coolant?
OAT, or Organic Acid Technology, is newer and uses different ingredients to achieve the same goal. The main difference between IAT and OAT is how they protect against corrosion. IAT creates a barrier between metal surfaces, while OAT changes the pH of the coolant to make it more acidic.
Can you mix OAT coolant with other coolants?
Never Mix OAT with Regular Coolant
Adding as little as 10% of regular coolant in an OAT system is enough to cause damage to your machine. Look for the OAT decal before adding or changing coolant to ensure you don't mix coolants and cause gelling inadvertently.
