An antifreeze/coolant (“coolant”) provides 3 critical functions in a cooling system: 1) Maintain optimum operating temperature, 2) prevent freeze-up, and 3) protect cooling system metals from corrosion.
An engine creates heat in the process of generating power to move the vehicle. That heat needs to be removed from the engine and transferred to the surrounding air through the radiator. Water is a great heat transfer fluid, but has some significant shortcomings. First, it freezes at +32F, which would be a problem in many areas of the country. Second, it boils at a relatively low 212F, so the risk of overheating would be high. And third, it does not provide corrosion protection to the metals in an engine, and can actually cause corrosion to occur. So, something better is needed.
A typical antifreeze/coolant is a mixture of ethylene glycol and corrosion inhibitors. In fact, most of a gallon of antifreeze/coolant concentrate is ethylene glycol. This mixture cannot be used by itself because the freezing point would not be low enough and it would be too viscous (thick) at low temperatures. Water must be added to create a 50% to 70% mixture of antifreeze/coolant and water to create acceptable freezing point, boiling point and corrosion protection. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a 50% mix to help the engine run at optimum conditions. That’s why all antifreeze/coolant companies offer a 50/50 prediluted product which already contains high-quality water. The charts below show the freezing and boiling points that result from different antifreeze/coolant and water mixtures. As the amount of antifreeze/coolant is increased, the boiling point goes up and the freezing point goes down. To provide even higher protection against boilover, cooling systems are pressurized, typically to 15 psig. The values in the chart are based on this system pressure.
Finally, an antifreeze/coolant must protect cooling system metals from corrosion over the service live of that coolant. All coolants marketed in the US must meet the performance requirements of industry standards ASTM D3306 and D6210. All OWI coolants meet or exceed these standards, and OWI guarantees the performance of their coolants for the service life indicated.
For many years, life was pretty simple when it came to antifreeze/coolants (“coolants”). Most vehicles in the US were factory-filled with a green conventional formula designed to provide excellent corrosion protection to cast iron and steel engines with copper/brass radiators. It was based on inorganic additive technology (IAT) corrosion inhibitors. Over the years, OEMs looked for ways to reduce vehicle weight and started using aluminum components. That meant the mix of metals in the cooling system was changing and conventional coolants were no longer the best option. New types of coolants started to be developed to provide protection to systems containing aluminum.
In 1995, the first coolant was launched in the US using a new type of corrosion inhibitor called organic acid technology (OAT). It was capable of providing good protection for the emerging mix of metals in the system. This type of coolant quickly became widely used and was marketed by coolant manufacturers as “All Makes/All Models” because it can be used on top of any existing coolant in any vehicle cooling system.
As more foreign vehicle manufacturers started making their vehicles in the US, a range of vehicle-specific coolant formulations began to appear, each designed to protect specific mixes of cooling system metals. The range of coolant formulations expanded quickly to include what is known as hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT) coolants. These use both inorganic and organic corrosion inhibitors to provide customized protection.
With all of these new coolants in the market there can be a lot of confusion. Not only are there different types, but different colors are used to identify the formulas. This has created a “rainbow” of colored coolants. To deal with the confusion, PEAK has made it easy for vehicle owners to find the right coolant. For DIYers driving older vehicles for engines requiring a conventional green coolant, we offer PEAK Green Antifreeze + Coolant. For those who just want good long-lasting protection, there is PEAK Antifreeze + Coolant for All Vehicles with its extended life technology providing a minimum of 10 years or 300,000 miles of cooling system protection. And, for more hands-on DIYers who only want OE-level performance, OWI has developed its PEAK Original Equipment Technology Antifreeze + Coolant line, with formulas meeting the specific needs of Asian, European, and North American vehicles. Each product is formulated with the same technology and color as that of coolant that was in their vehicle right from the factory.
OWI also offers a full line of Fleet Charge and Final Charge brand antifreeze/coolant products for heavy duty applications. These are specifically designed to protect systems in a wide range of more severe-duty operating conditions.
To find which antifreeze/coolant is right for automobiles, light/medium duty pickup or heavy duty vehicle, check out PEAK’s Product Finder tool or refer to your owner’s manual.
Cooling system failures are the leading cause of mechanical breakdowns [1]. Overheating and other cooling system problems can be the result of many factors such as those listed below. However, the majority of problems are related to not having enough coolant in the system or the coolant being weak or neglected. In an OWI survey [2], 60% of vehicles were found to be low or dangerously low on coolant. A low coolant level can lead to overheating because the coolant is no longer in contact with the hot metal surfaces to absorb the heat and carry it away from the radiator. It also allows air into the system which can significantly contribute to corrosion. Weak or neglected coolant is not able to provide the right level of freezing, boiling and corrosion protection. Major cooling system component manufacturers [3] have found that up to 60% of water pumps and 40% of radiators fail due to poor coolant condition.
Reasons for Cooling System Problems Including Engine Overheating:
Leaks in the cooling system | Clogged radiator |
---|---|
Stuck thermostat | Bad coolant temperature sensor |
Bad coolin fan switch | Coolant concentration too high or low |
Broken fan belt | Thermostat stuck open or closed |
Loose or water pump belt | Worn out or burst hoses |
Low coolant level | Water pump failure - corroded impeller or seized bearing |
The best defense against engine overheating and cooling system damage is good cooling system maintenance. There are 3 major pieces to this winning strategy:
[1] US Department of Transportation; American Automobile Association
[2] OWI 2017 employee vehicle population survey
[3] Gates Corporation: Gates I60/R90 Be System Smart Initiative; Spectra Premium radiator failure assessment
Follow the directions below.
CAUTION: NEVER WORK ON A HOT COOLING SYSTEM. Allow system to cool before removing the pressure cap. THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE SHOULD BE COOL AND SOFT WHEN SQUEEZED.
The upper radiator hose will be cool to the touch and soft if the system is sufficiently cool.
Before starting, locate the radiator, coolant overflow reservoir, and pressure cap. The reservoir will be located at a high location on either side of the engine and may be near the radiator or at the back of the engine near the windshield. The cooling system pressure cap may be on the reservoir if not on the radiator.
If the pressure cap is on the radiator:
If the pressure cap is on the overflow reservoir:
Periodically check coolant level and test for freeze and boil protection.
DIRECTIONS
CAUTION: DO NOT REMOVE PRESSURE CAP WHEN ENGINE IS HOT. THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE SHOULD BE COOL AND SOFT WHEN SQUEEZED.
You can either perform a Drain/Fill or Drain/Flush/Fill. A Drain/Flush/Fill is recommended because it does a better job of removing old coolant and corrosion deposits. Follow the directions below for each.
DRAIN/FLUSH/FILL
Draining the system may leave a significant amount of old coolant and flush water behind. Use only antifreeze/coolant CONCENTRATE when performing a drain/flush/fill to ensure the right coolant/water ratio is achieved.
Check vehicle owner’s manual for coolant TYPE, capacity and change interval recommended by vehicles manufacturer. specific cooling system maintenance recommendations.
Note: Before starting, locate the radiator drain valve (if equipped), lower radiator hose and cooling system pressure cap. The cap may be on a remote overflow reservoir if not on the radiator.
DIRECTIONS
CAUTION: DO NOT REMOVE PRESSURE CAP WHEN ENGINE IS HOT. THE RADIATOR HOSE SHOULD BE COOL AND SOFT WHEN SQUEEZED.
Periodically check coolant level and freeze protection.
DRAIN & FILL
Draining the system may leave a significant amount of old coolant behind. Using antifreeze/coolant concentrate is recommended when performing a drain & fill to ensure the right final concentration is achieved.
Check vehicle owner’s manual for coolant capacity and specific cooling system maintenance recommendations.
Note: Before starting, locate the radiator drain valve (if equipped), lower radiator hose and cooling system pressure cap. The cap may be on a remote overflow reservoir if not on the radiator.
DIRECTIONS
CAUTION: DO NOT REMOVE PRESSURE CAP WHEN ENGINE IS HOT. THE RADIATOR HOSE SHOULD BE COOL AND SOFT WHEN SQUEEZED.
BlueDEF® is America's #1 Diesel Exhaust Fluid brand that is used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems diesel engines to reduce NOx.
SCR is an acronym for Selective Catalytic Reduction. SCR is a technology that uses a urea based diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and a catalytic converter to significantly reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. SCR is being used by almost all OEM manufacturers.
The purpose of the SCR system is to reduce levels of NOx (oxides of nitrogen emitted from engines) that are harmful to our health and the environment. SCR is the after treatment technology that treats exhaust gas downstream of the engine. Small quantities of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) are injected into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst, where it vaporizes and decomposes to form ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia (NH3) is the desired product, which in conjunction to the SCR catalyst, converts the NOx to harmless nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O).
When used in an SCR system BlueDEF® will reduce the levels of NOx emissions of those engines.
BlueDEF® is a high-purity, 32.5 strength urea solution and deionized water.
Urea is a compound of nitrogen whose aqueous solution generates ammonia when heated. It is used in a variety of industries, including as a fertilizer in agriculture.
A 32.5% solution of DEF will begin to crystallize and freeze at 12 deg F (-11 deg C). Freezing does not harm the quality of the DEF solution. Upon thawing, DEF will perform as required.
During vehicle operation, SCR systems are designed to provide heating for the DEF tank and supply lines. If DEF freezes when the vehicle is shut down, start up and normal operation of the vehicle will not be inhibited. The SCR heating system is designed to quickly return the DEF to liquid form and the operation of the vehicle will not be affected.
Yes, DEF expands by approximately 7% when frozen. DEF packaging and tanks are designed to allow for expansion.
Yes, DEF needs to meet the ISO 22241 quality standard.
No, BlueDEF® is classified as non-hazardous, non-toxic or flammable.
DEF is corrosive to copper, brass, and aluminum as well as carbon steel. Only approved materials as listed in the ISO 22241 standards should be used in contact with DEF.
The EPA has mandated the reduction of NOx emissions released into the environment. In particular, the new 2010 requirements.
BlueDEF® is stored in a designated tank on the vehicle. It is then replenished like fuel.
Vehicles will be equipped with a DEF gauge on the dash to alert the driver on the fluid level. If the level becomes low an alert will let the driver know the DEF level needs to be replenished. If the driver runs out completely the vehicle power will be reduced to encourage the operator to refill the DEF tank. Once the DEF tank is refilled, normal power levels will be restored on the vehicle.
No, It is not an additive. It is sprayed into the exhaust stream where it reacts with the NOx in the SCR system to form nitrogen and water.
DEF is consumed at a rate of approximately 2-3% by volume to diesel consumption.
Yes, we offer a full line of dispensing solutions for fleets, truck stops and all other end users.
FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze is a heavy-duty extended life coolant that provides total cooling system protection for 1,000,000 miles of on-road use (8 years or 20,000 hours of off-highway use) using proprietary engine protecting inhibitors that do not deplete as quickly as conventional “old” technology coolant and SCA products.
As engine and truck builders extend overall service intervals, factory fill products must be able to reach the extended service goals. Most truck manufacturers are filling new engines with extended life coolants to offer their customers the highest coolant performance, extended coolant service intervals and reduced overall maintenance costs.
Today, all leading heavy-duty OEMs, including Caterpillar® and Freightliner®, offer extended life coolant as a factory fill coolant. Extended life coolants offer the lowest cost of ownership through longer coolant life, longer coolant change intervals, and the elimination of SCAs and chemically charged filters.
The organic acids in FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze’s patented formula have been neutralized to form highly effective corrosion inhibitors. The difference is that they are neutralized organic acids instead of the neutralized inorganic acids found in conventional heavy-duty coolants. Using neutralized acids as corrosion inhibitors in coolants is not new. Conventional coolants contain neutralized inorganic acids as inhibitors, such as phosphate and/or borate, which are derived from the neutralization of phosphoric acid and boric acid, respectively.
Fleet test in Caterpillar® 3176 & 3406 engines demonstrate that FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze meets Cat EC-1 requirements. EC-1 is Caterpillar®’s specification for an extended service coolant.
FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze also meets Cummins® 14603, Detroit Diesel® 93K217, Mercedes® 325.3; MAN 324 Typ SNF; MTU 5048; Navistar® CEMS-B1-Type IIIa; Behr Radiator and is recommended for use in all types of heavy-duty diesel gasoline and natural gas engines, making FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze ideal for use in mixed fleet applications.
FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze meets leading ASTM coolant specifications, including ASTM D-4985 and ASTM D-3306. However, it should be noted that ASTM has not established a specification for extended life coolants. Instead, current ASTM specifications are more geared toward conventional coolants that have a limited service life, typically 3-year/36,000 mile. As with ASTM, TMC has not set coolant specifications addressing extended life coolants. TMC RP-329, a long-standing heavy-duty coolant standard, is the specification for a conventional low silicate coolant that is precharged with a Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) containing nitrite or nitrite and molybdate. While FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze definitely meets the performance requirements of TMC RP-329, it does not meet the chemical requirements of the specification.
The reason FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze does not meet the chemical requirements of TMC RP-329 is that FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze’s proprietary corrosion inhibitor system does not contain nitrite. With FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze, nitrites, and other conventional inhibitors like phosphate and silicate, are replaced with longer lasting organic corrosion inhibitors to provide total cooling system protection. At the end of the day, it’s about coolant performance, not specific chemistry.
Nitrites have long been used in fully formulated coolants, or incorporated in Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) then mixed with conventional coolants, for their ability to protect wet sleeve liners against cavitation and corrosion. However, nitrites in conventional and fully formulated coolants deplete, thereby reducing the level of protection provided. Also, ongoing testing and monitoring of nitrite levels are required to ensure the proper levels are maintained. To extend coolant service life and reduce maintenance time and cost associated with testing and maintaining inhibitor levels, the heavy-duty industry is moving toward nitrite-free Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants. With OAT coolants, conventional inhibitors, like nitrites, are replaced with organic corrosion inhibitors that deplete very slowly over time. As a result, extended life corrosion and cavitation protection is achieved without a regular schedule of liquid additives; inhibitor testing and maintenance coolant filters. FINAL CHARGE Coolant/Antifreeze is formulated with a patented nitrite-free formula.
FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze is silicate-free. Instead of using silicates, the advanced formula contains corrosion inhibitors called organic acids. FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze is also phosphate-free, nitrite-free and borate-free. The patented OAT inhibitor system provides excellent overall corrosion protection while reducing dropout, water pump seal damage, and internal cooling system scaling and storage stability often associated with conventional coolants and inhibitors.
Compared to the inhibitors used in conventional coolants, FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze forms a thinner, longer lasting film on engine metals that protects against cavitation and corrosion. The thinner film provides better heat transfer between the engine metals and the coolant. Furthermore, FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze is formulated with special proprietary stabilizers that slow down the degradation of glycol at high temperatures. This is especially important with the advent of EGR technology. The result, your engine can run cooler with FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze.
FINAL CHARGE Coolant/Antifreeze’s patented silicate-free, phosphate-free, nitrite-free and borate-free formula provides outstanding long-term NBR, viton and especially silicon elastomer protection.
No. FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze, which features a patented inhibitor system that is phosphate-free, silicate-free, nitrite-free and borate-free, reduces inhibitor drop out and eliminates the need for SCA’s and routine testing of inhibitor levels. To maintain the protection of FINAL CHARGE Coolant/Antifreeze proprietary inhibitor system, proper cooling system maintenance is required.
Most coolant filters contain SCAs and are not required when using FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze. Blank filters, which do not contain SCAs, should be used instead. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations if a blank filter is recommended for the cooling system.
FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze is formulated with Contamination Tolerant Additives (CTAs). The performance benefits of FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze will not be adversely affected by the occasional addition of conventional coolants. However, it is recommended that effort be made to keep contamination levels below 25%. This can be accomplished by topping off with FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL 50/50 Pre-Diluted Coolant/Antifreeze and the periodic adjustment of the cooling system to maintain between a 45% to 60% coolant and a 55% to 40% water mix.
With the FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Extended Life Coolant Fleet Conversion Program, you can convert a truck using conventional or fully formulated coolants to FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze without having to drain, flush and refill the cooling system. At the center of this program is FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Converter. FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Converter is formulated with a special blend of FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze’s patented Organic Acid Technology (OAT) inhibitors with Contamination Tolerant Additives. A one-time dose of FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Converter is specifically formulated to convert properly maintained cooling systems using conventional or fully formulated coolants meeting ASTM D-4985, ASTM D-6210 or TMC RP-329 to FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze’s patented formula.
With FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze’s patented formula, you can convert a truck using a heavy-duty OAT coolant without having to drain, flush and refill the cooling system. For vehicles already using another brand of heavy-duty OAT coolant, simply begin and continue fulfilling all top off requirements with FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze.
For optimum performance, deionized water should be used. In cases when deionized water is not available, FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze contains proprietary scale inhibitors allowing the coolant to be mixed with all water qualities without jeopardizing coolant performance or damaging engine metals.
To maintain the protection of FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze’s patented technology, the proper level of the proprietary inhibitor system should be present in the cooling system. This can be accomplished by adhering to the following maintenance practices:
FLEET CHARGE® is an advanced “fully formulated” coolant designed for heavy-duty cooling system applications. Fully formulated engine coolants were developed in response to user demands for a simple, universal, longer life coolant technology
For years, heavy-duty operators were limited to using low silicate automotive coolant formulations requiring a separate Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA). This often resulted in mixing errors when the SCA was added at initial fill or when topping-off. To reduce these mixing errors and improve convenience, Old World Industries developed FLEET CHARGE® coolant. Unlike automotive coolants, Fleet Charge is pre-charged with a high quality SCA and already contains all of the ingredients necessary to protect diesel, gasoline, and gaseous fuel engines.
The pink color of FLEET CHARGE® has become recognized as the identification for a fully formulated coolant.
FLEET CHARGE® is easy to use. Use 50/50 with water in any coolant system.
While the best results can be expected when used by itself. FLEET CHARGE® is compatible with all coolants that meet ASTM D6210, TMC RP-329, automotive and heavy-duty engine manufacturers’ factory specifications.
Yes. FLEET CHARGE® meets the performance requirements of al major automotive specifications for conventional antifreeze, allowing operators of mixed fleets to stock one antifreeze for all their vehicles.
The term “long life” usually is associated with coolants that contain carboxylic acid inhibitors. Therefore, we have described FLEET CHARGE® as a Fill-For-Life technology.
The Fill-for-Life alternative provides for easy, low cost monitoring of the coolant inhibitor and freeze protection levels. Fill-For-Life is an extended service maintenance program developed by FLEET CHARGE® and Penray researchers. It is very simple. Users simply install a Penray Need-Release filter on an engine coolant system (up to 30 gallons). Every 18 months the filter is replaced. This practice eliminates scheduled coolant changes.
Minimum 0%.
Optimum 50%.
Maximum 65%.
The recommended maintenance for FLEET CHARGE® in systems up to 30 gallons is the Penray Need-Release filter. Change the Need-Release every 18 months, 150,000 miles or 3,000 operating hours (whichever comes first). Under this program there is no scheduled coolant change interval.
FLEET CHARGE® has a stable storage life of at least 2 years if stored above 0 degrees F.
Sure! We recommend the use of a refractometer or a Penray test strip (just don’t use automotive coolant test strips or hydrometers).