After reading this article, you will fully understand if you can use car coolant in your motorcycle. It’s not as straightforwards as you may think.
It’s time to change the coolant on your motorcycle. You have some coolant in the garage, which you use in your car. You purchased quite a lot of it as it was on special offer at the time.
If you are looking for the best coolant for your motorcycle then just click HERE
It would save you some time and money, not having to go to the motorcycle shop if you used it to change your motorcycle coolant.
So, can you use a car coolant in a motorcycle? You can use car coolant in a motorcycle as long as you don’t mix coolant colors, it does not have silicates, and it contains Ethylene Glycol antifreeze, which is not poisonous and is safe to use around children and pets.
While researching this topic before changing the coolant on my motorcycle, this is the information I found out.
All motorcycle engines are made of aluminum alloy, and over a period of time, the coolant’s usefulness deteriorates due to some corrosion of the aluminum. The majority of coolants have specific ingredients, which help reduce this corrosion, but the ingredients’ power reduces over time. It’s recommended that motorcycle coolant is changed every two years with normal use. However, you can change it every year if you prefer.
Completing a process such as changing your own motorcycle’s coolant will help you understand how your motorcycle operates and add to your knowledge and know-how of keeping your bike maintained and in good condition for years to come.
I use a high-performance coolant in my motorcycles, and if you click HERE it will take you to Amazon, where you can view the one I use. I have had no problems with it and just wanted to give it a mention.
Keeping a regular check on all your liquids levels is just good practice, and this can be done whilst completing your regular weekly motorcycle check over.
Different colored coolants should not be mixed, but you need to keep in mind that the coolant’s color is not matched to any specific type of coolant. Manufacturers can color their coolants any color they choose, so you will need to read the container’s information to confirm which coolant you are purchasing.
It may seem strange that some car coolants can be used on a motorcycle as many of us motorcyclists are used to purchasing items that are specifically made for our motorbikes, such as engine oil, for example.
We use specific engine oil for our motorcycles because, within car engine oil, there are higher amounts of friction modifiers that help maximize the miles per gallon within the car engine. However, these same friction modifiers can cause slippage within the motorcycle’s clutch as they can seep into the motorbikes transmission and cause damage.
It is because of this that under no circumstances should car oil be used in a motorcycle.
What Are Friction Modifiers?
For more information, including a detailed explanation of friction modifiers, CLICK here. You will be DIRECTED to ScienceDirect, who has carried out an in-depth study. THIS makes for a fascinating read.
There are no such problems with engine coolant. However, you can purchase coolant specifically made for motorcycles, or depending on the type of coolant you use in your car, and it may be perfectly fine to use as your motorcycles coolant as well.
Check your car’s coolant ingredient to make sure that it contains Ethylene Glycol antifreeze. This ingredient plays an important part in keeping your motorcycle engine cooled in the summer months and stops it from freezing in the winter. In fact, depending on the formula, the freezing point can be reduced to -37 degrees Celsius to -42 degrees Celcius.
What Are The Types Of Coolant Available Today?
The two types of coolant which are currently used today are:
- Inorganic Additive Technology or IAT
- Organic Acid Technology or OAT
What Is Inorganic Additive Technology?
Inorganic Additive Technology, as the name suggests, uses inorganic additives to provide a fast-acting protective film. This is used in traditional coolants and is a tried and tested method. However, the additives’ effectiveness reduces over time and needs to be changed at least every couple of years.
This type of coolant is able to be used on engines where the metals used to build the engine may be mixed. These metals can include cast iron, copper, steel, aluminium and others.
This type of coolant will have no detrimental effect on any of the engines components and is used widely within the motor trade.
What Is Organic Acid Technology?
Coolants using Organic Acid Technology are the newer form of coolants. A layer of corrosion forms when the Aluminium and other mixed metals are introduced to moisture. Organic Acid Technology coolants protect the surface against this corrosion happening, and so protects the engine.
Due to the make-up of this particular coolant, it lasts longer than the traditional type of antifreeze.
What is Ethylene Glycol?
For a more detailed explanation of what this chemical actually is, please click here, and you will be taken to ScienceDirect, who has carried out a detailed investigation into this chemical.
Now you want to check that there are NO Silicates or phosphates within the car coolant. These can damage the motorcycle engine by corroding the magnesium and aluminum layers of the engine.
Silicates are also bad for the engine seals as the gel build-up reduces the heat transfer from the engine castings to the coolant and can cause the temperature sensor to become faulty. This, in turn, can cause the engine to overheat gradually, which is bad for our motorcycles.
The abrasive particles within the silicate itself can flow to the water pump where it can eat away at the pump’s seals, causing the seals to leak and become faulty.
As you can see, you really do want to check and make sure the coolant you use for your car can be used for your motorcycle as well.
What Are Silicates?
by clicking here, you will be taken to ScienceDirect, where studies were made of silicates and seals
Putting the wrong coolant into your motorcycle can cause damage to the engine at worst and may cause a reduction in the engine’s performance at best.
Which Is The Best Coolant For My Motorcycle?
When you decide to change your motorcycle’s coolant, you need to know the different types available to choose from.
There are two different types of coolant available:
- Water-Based Coolants
- Water-Free Coolants
Lets have a look at these on an individual bases.
Water Based Coolants:
These types of coolant are usually the cheapest and are basically coolants that are already mixed with water. These water-based coolants are very effective at cooling the engine and are also available to buy in DIY form, where you can mix some distilled water to the coolant chemical yourself, usually with a 50/50 mix. However, you will need to read the instructions first to make sure that you mix the chemical with the exact required amount of distilled water.
It is also wise to check that the one you want to purchase comes with the anti-corrosive element, as some neglect to add this to the formula.
Water-Free Coolants:
As these coolants do not contain any water, they are not corrosive to engines, so you will not have to worry about engine corrosion. Also, water-free coolants last longer than the water-based ones and have a higher boiling temperature, which means they can cope with more extreme conditions, such as higher engine revs.
These coolants tend to be more expensive than the water-based ones.
Which Motorcycle Coolant Should I Buy?
Considering the relatively low price of coolant, you should spend the extra money and buy the better water-free coolant available for your motorcycle. It will last longer than the cheaper, water-based coolants and protect your engine more efficiently.
Can You Put Water In A Motorcycle’s Radiator?
It’s time to change the coolant on your motorcycle, and you start wondering if you have to purchase a specific coolant or whether you can just use water or distilled water.
So can you put water in a motorcycles radiator? Putting just water in your motorcycle’s radiator to cool the engine is definitely not a good idea. Even if you use distilled water, it will eventually damage the engine over time through corrosion. There will be no chemicals within the system that protect the engine’s internals against this corrosion found in specific coolants.
Using a coolant for your motorcycle raises the boiling point above plain water because of pressure being produced. This pressure is controlled by way of a control valve located within the radiator cap.
When opening the radiator cap to change the coolant, you should use a thick towel or other cloth to protect yourself, but it is best to let the engine cool down, allowing the engine’s pressure to be reduced.
It’s definitely not recommended to put just water or distilled water in the radiator.
When Should I Change My Motorcycles Coolant?
Motorcycle coolant is an essential part of the engine and should be checked regularly and replaced in guidance with the motorcycle’s handbook. As a general rule, it should be replaced every 2 years under normal mileage.
Personally, I keep an eye on all my levels every week when I carry out the general inspection of my motorcycle. You never know if or when a small leak or alike may occur.
As a general rule, the coolant on a motorcycle should be replaced every two years
How To Top Up My Motorcycles Coolant. A Helpful Guide
If you notice the coolant level on your motorcycle has dropped from its required level, you will need to add the same coolant that was added before. You can not mix different coolants. As soon as possible, you will need to check if there is a leak or a problem inside the engine, causing the coolant loss.
If there is no alternative, at the time you notice the coolant level is low, you can fill it with water, but due to the fact this will deplete the ratio of coolant to water, this will have to be addressed as soon as possible, to get it back to the correct mixture. If you noticed a split pipe or one of the hoses is damaged, this would also need to be fixed as soon a possible.
If everything on the outside looks fine, you should get your motorcycle inspected by a professional as there may be a problem within the engine, causing the coolant to leak.
What Is The Difference Between Distilled Water and Normal Water?
Distilled water has had its contaminants and minerals removed. As well as being used in engine cooling systems, it is used in steam irons, for laboratory experiments, and in aquariums, as well as having many other uses. Normal water still has its minerals and contaminants.
How To Change The Coolant On My Motorcycle?
For a step by step guide of how to change the coolant on a motorcycle, please click the link here to be taken to the article I wrote on how to carry out this process.
