Like oil, coolant is an essential fluid for the efficient operation of a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicle engines have evolved over the years, and coolant has had to change to meet the demands of these newer engines. Today’s emissions compliant engines are giving off more heat, which makes the cooling system even more important. In addition to cooling the engine, coolant protects engine parts from corrosion, cavitation, liner pitting.

While conventional coolants are still being used, extended life coolants are being used more frequently. In fact, according to Old World Industries, maker of Final Charge coolant/antifreeze, most truck manufacturers are factory filling new engines with extended life coolants.

Extended life coolants differ from conventional coolants in that they don’t require the addition of supplemental coolant additives at 15,000-20,000-mile intervals. In addition, the inhibitors in extended life coolants form a thinner film on engine metals that provides better heat transfer between the engine metals and the coolant.

But not all extended coolants are alike. ELC falls into two categories those using nitrited organic acid technology and those using organic acid technology. NOAT coolants feature a carboxylate base with nitrite and molybdate. OAT coolants, like Final Charge are phosphate-, silicate-, nitrite- and borate-free. With OAT coolants conventional inhibitors like nitrites are replaced with organic corrosion inhibitors that deplete very slowly over time. The inhibitor system is said to provide overall corrosion protection while reducing dropout, water pump seal damage and internal cooling system scaling — things associated with conventional coolants and inhibitors.

These extended life coolants last between 600,000 and 1,000,000 miles. But this does not mean you pour them in and forget about them. Coolant manufacturers recommend that coolants be checked several times a year. Test strips are a quick and easy way to check the inhibitor levels in coolants. Using the Final Charge Global Extended Life Inhibitor Test Strips all you need to do is take a coolant sample, dip a test strip into the sample, wait for a few seconds and then compare the test strip color to a chart on the bottle.

Coolant can also be tested using a refractometer. Peak has a digital refractometer that tests the concentration of glycol in coolant as well as the freezing point. This helps ensure that the cooling system is protected from freezing and boiling over running with the optimal level of thermal efficiency.

Old World Industries is so confident in its Final Charge Global Extended Life Coolant that it comes with a 1,000,000-mile guarantee. The company says it will pay for the repair or replacement of a vehicle’s cooling system that fails or shows abnormal wear from rust, corrosion or cavitation as long as the vehicle has been properly operated and maintained in accordance with original equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.

The right coolant can protect your engine, extend service intervals and reduce your service and maintenance costs. Choose wisely.

Learn more about the importance of the right fluids