Green coolants are standard for preserving automobile engines and boosting their performance. However, you may see the green cooling material low in the tank and consider adding new additives. And you will find the blue coolant from the automobile store.
It can be a confusing case. People often ask, “Can I mix Honda blue coolant with green?” The answer is even trickier than the question. So, we will go through the details of mixing the pros and cons of blue and green coolants for Honda cars and SUVs.
Generally speaking, mix the blue coolant with the green coolant without significant compromise. These need to be of the same type and brand. Also, ensure that their boiling and freezing point is close, if different. However, mixing coolants from two various colors with other brands can hurt the engine’s health.
So, let’s get with this discussion and see the result of mixing these two engine coolants.
Use and Properties of Blue and Green Coolant
Do you consider adding blue antifreeze with green ones, or vice-versa? Then, you must understand their chemical properties first. You need to know their chemical reaction, feature, and user manual to use them with their best effects.
Green Coolant
Green coolant is both the oldest and most widespread coolant for cars. It uses inorganic acid technology (IAT) and chemical acid for manufacturing. Usually, it has around 2 to 3 years of shelf life. So, replacing the green coolant every two years or 30000 miles is best.
Its main ingredient is ethylene glycol. Also, manufacturers will use silicates and sulfates in their formulas. These two chemicals deter corrosion. So, green coolants have an anti-corrosion effect. It protects the metal engine parts from unnecessary corrosion.
Therefore, an independent Honda enthusiast website suggests using green coolants to improve engine performance. User forum websites also recommend it as a healthy engine coolant. It works for Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and other vehicles too.
Blue Coolant
Compared to green cooling additives, blue coolants are newer. Its manufacturing includes Phosphate HOAT or (P-HOAT) technology. Since it uses organic acid and sulfates in the making process, it remains corrosion-free.
This technology boosts its longevity superbly. You can go 55000 to 60000 miles or 5 to 6 years with blue coolants. So, it has 2X more lifespan than the green ones. However, it has reduced the performance of the engines. It isn’t as protective as the green ones.
Previously, you would see it in orange colors too. However, these days, blue antifreeze also uses inorganic acid in manufacturing. So, finding IAT blue antifreeze coolants have been easier.
Can I Mix Honda Blue Coolant with Green?
Blue and green antifreeze additives are two commonly used coolants for Honda cars. So, Honda motor company uses Honda Genuine COOLANT (Type-2) for all their cars and SUVs. They premix it with 50% distilled water and 50% blue and green antifreeze. So, it comes completely ready for use.
Typically, Honda Type-2 coolant is blue antifreeze. So, when it reaches nearly its lifespan, you need to add cooling additives to it. As motor mechanics and experts suggest using green coolants for Honda, things can get tricky here.
Should you mix blue and green coolants for Honda?
Yes, you can confidently mix blue coolants with green. However, you must follow a few rules to ensure accurate results and safety precautions.
- Ensure both the coolants are of similar types. It means they should have similar boiling and freezing points. Also, choose them from the same brands.
- You may mix the existing blue liquid coolant with the green one. It won’t cause any big deals in the car’s performance. Nonetheless, it boosts the cooling performance. So, the engine will deliver better performance in the harshest conditions.
- You should maintain a specific ratio for mixing blue and green coolant systems. Ideally, both should have a 50% ratio or, at max, 40% and 60% ratio. If you use one coolant color too much than the other one, it will react differently. So, you won’t get the expected cooling and anti-corrosion result from them.
- Always ensure that they have the correct ratio of water too. You can only mix these two types of antifreeze with water. It will cause havoc in the car engine. Without water, the corrosion inhibitors of your car won’t work.
- Check their formulae when you refill the radiator with the suitable coolant color. The cooling system must have proper facilities. It suggests you should only mix IAT followed by blue and green coolant. Mixing IAT green and non-IAT blue and green antifreeze is not recommended.
When you follow these quick suggestions, mixing the color coolant won’t be problematic. You can confidently put them in your car radiator and enjoy superior performance. Their corrosion inhibitors will ensure excellent performance.
Importance of Mixing Same Type Coolants
When you consider mixing the green and blue colored coolants, you can mix any type. They must have similar freezing and boiling temperature. For instance, if the blue coolant has a 200-degree temperature for boiling, the green coolant should have a 190-degrees to 200-degree boiling point. The same goes for freezing temperatures.
If the types mismatch between these two cooling systems, they will fail. You must choose similar blue coolants if you have an old green antifreeze. Selecting coolants from the same brands will work best.
Benefits of Mixing Blue and Green Coolants
You may wonder about the benefits of mixing blue coolants with green ones. Does it bring any extra advantages to your car and its engine? Or will it be useless? A forum community dedicated to Honda and discussion starters suggests mixing these coolants brings many benefits.
Stops Breakdown of the Vehicle Engine
40% of car breakdowns occur due to inappropriate and low-quality coolants. Also, using a specific antifreeze means getting only a few particular benefits. You may -prevent such conditions by mixing the two coolants.
As new threads in Honda forums suggest, it brings the best benefits of two additives. So, it prevents the unwanted breakdown of the car. It frees you from the hassles of vehicles breaking down on the roads.
Improves Fuel Economy
When you use both coolants, it will lubricate all the components and engine parts. So, they won’t suffer from engine corrosion. It boosts the fuel economy of the car.
The engine delivers superior performance as all the components and parts remain adequately lubricated. It also reduces rust on the metals. So, you need to spend massively on engine oil and car fuel.
Prolongs the Engine Lifespan
Mixing the green and blue coolants will surely boost the engine’s lifespan. The anti-corrosive feature and IAT technology will add a layer over the metal parts.
So, they will be free from any friction. As it lowers the friction rate of the metal parts, the engine will have an extended lifespan.
Reduced friction, less wear and tear, and anti-corrosive properties make this mixture perfect. This blending will magically work if you worry about the engines’ lifespan. Plus, it saves you from replacing the engine unwantedly.
Needs Less Maintenance for the Engine
The proper coolants working together on the engine offer better protection to the parts. As a result, you need to maintain the engine less. The coolants will protect the Honda cars’ wet sleeves, radiators, metal parts, and water pumps. So, your cost of maintenance will reduce considerably.
On top of it, your time on car and engine maintenance will reduce. You can utilize it in some productive work.
Expands the Coolant Lifespan
When you mix the concentrated blends of the coolants, it enhances the lifespan. Researchers have found that combining whole combinations will increase their lifespan by 2X to 3X more. You can get 150000 to 250000 miles of lifespan.
Thus, the mixture will offer better and more extended protection of the engine and its related parts.
Tips on Mixing the Blue Coolants to Green Coolants
As you mix these concentrated blends, you need to be careful about their ratio. Thus, you must follow our suggestions, as mentioned below.
- First, mix 50% green coolant with 50% blue ones. For instance, if you use a 1-quart of blue coolant, you must also use a 1-quart of green coolant. You mustn’t use one type of additive too much. It will eat up the benefits of the additive used less for the concentration.
- After blending the coolants with an equal ratio, add water to them. You must also use the same quantity of water. If your green-blue coolant amount is 2-quart, add 2-quart of water. Consequently, the blending will have 1 quart of blue, 1 quart of green, and 2 quarts of water.
You need to follow this blending ratio properly. The ideal balance will be 25%:25%:50%. Or, it will be a 1:2:1 ratio. You may wonder about the importance of maintaining a proper water-to-coolant balance.
It becomes too sticky if you only add blue coolants to green ones. It will form a gum-like blend. Also, thicker coolants will have reduced performance. So, the engine quickly overheats. It will also cause wear and tear on the engine parts.
Thus, you must avoid using a thickened blending of the coolants. You should add water to it to make it thinner. It helps the coolant flow better through the tubes and boosts performance.
Conclusion
Can I mix Honda blue coolant with green? Yes, you can. You need to maintain their recommended water and coolant ratio. Also, ensure you blend the same types of cooling antifreeze agents. It will improve the coolant’s lifespan, reduce engine corrosion and boost fuel economy.
Henceforth, blending these two cooling agents will allow them to work efficiently for more than 150000 miles. So, you won’t need to purchase them frequently. It will save you money as well.
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.