There are several colors of antifreeze on the market, each designed to best serve a particular type of engine. The color of antifreeze for your personal vehicle or commercial fleet primarily depends on the vehicle make, with each color specifically formulated to prevent a negative reaction with the unique engine materials used by Ford, Kia, Chevy, and other manufacturers.
Formulations across the range of Prestone® antifreeze colors are relatively similar, and drivers can expect the same high-quality and lasting performance no matter which coolant color they need for their vehicles. For drivers and organizations that demand optimal performance, it’s best to use the antifreeze color for your vehicle.
Read on to learn more about different-colored antifreeze products and which color is best for your vehicle or fleet with the Prestone® antifreeze color chart.
But First, What Is Antifreeze?
Antifreeze, also known as engine coolant, is critical in protecting your engine – and not just when it’s cold out. Antifreeze has three primary functions:
- Lower the freezing point and raise the boiling point of liquid in the engine to prevent both freezing and overheating.
- To reduce the risk of rust and corrosion on engine components.
- To absorb heat from the engine and transfer it to the radiator, where it’s more easily dissipated.
Does Antifreeze Color Matter?
Finding the right antifreeze for your vehicle is a smart move. Although the base formulations of antifreeze are relatively similar, there are enough chemical variations to warrant finding the correct color and type of coolant for your vehicle.
Coolant color is determined by coolant type and inhibitor technology. The Prestone® Antifreeze Color Chart makes it easy to find the right color for your vehicle quickly:
Download the Prestone Antifreeze Color Chart
What Kind of Antifreeze Do I Need?
Coolants are usually divided into types based on their additive content. Here’s a quick explanation of those acronyms, the color of each coolant type, and which manufacturers it is compatible with:
| Color | Manufacturers/Compatibility |
| Green | Most Asian manufacturers, including Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Subaru |
| Orange | Ford Motors, General Motors |
| Yellow | All vehicles |
| Turquoise | Audi, BMW, and other European manufacturers |
| Pink or Blue | Audi, Porsche, and other European models |
| Purple | Stellantis vehicles (Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge) |
Antifreeze Additive Acronyms, Explained
Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT): A traditional type of coolant that uses inorganic corrosion inhibitors, including silicates, phosphates, and borates. IAT-based coolants require more frequent replacement and are commonly recommended for older vehicles (usually pre-2000).
Organic Acid Technology: A modern type of coolant that uses organic acids to protect engine components for up to 5 years or 150,000 miles. OAT coolants have little or no inorganic compounds and are compatible with today’s aluminum engine parts.
Hybrid Organic Acid Technology: As the name suggests, HOAT coolants use a blend of organic and inorganic acids to provide balanced protection over short- and long-term periods.
Can You Mix Antifreeze Colors?
Mixing different colors and, therefore, different inhibitor types to “top off” your engine may trigger damaging chemical reactions. In nearly every scenario, it’s best to use the manufacturer’s recommended coolant. If you’re not sure what’s in your vehicle, consider consulting your vehicle’s owner’s manual, contacting a dealer, or a local garage to have a coolant flush performed as part of your next service appointment.
Can You Mix Green and Orange Antifreeze?
Mixing any color coolants can potentially damage your engine, but some combinations are particularly hazardous. The inhibitor types in green (IAT) and orange (ELC) coolants form a highly viscous jelly that clogs coolant systems. This results in overheating and may cause significant damage to engine components.
If you accidentally mixed antifreeze colors, avoid driving the vehicle and contact a trusted automotive shop for a cooling system flush.
Read more: How to Improve Fleet Vehicle Maintenance in 5 Steps
What Color Is Prestone Antifreeze?
Prestone® offers a comprehensive catalog of antifreeze colors to suit any manufacturer or season. Prestone® has been trusted by discerning drivers for over 90 years, and today’s products are engineered to deliver exceptional protection in any condition.
Prestone Engine Coolant Color Chart
| Antifreeze color | Prestone® Product | Recommended use |
| Orange | Prestone MAX® | American vehicles from 2002 or newer |
| Purple | Prestone MAX® | Stellantis vehicles (Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler) 2000 or newer |
| Orange | Prestone Dex-Cool® Antifreeze + Coolant | All GM vehicles 1995 or newer, most Ford vehicles 2011-2018, and most Chrysler vehicles 2013 or newer |
| Red | Prestone MAX® Asian Vehicles | Toyota, Lexus, Scion |
| Blue | Prestone MAX® Asian Vehicles | Honda, Acura, Nissan 2009 and newer, Infinity 2009 and newer, Subaru 2009 and newer |
| Green | Prestone MAX® Asian Vehicles | Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki pre-2010, Nissan pre-2009, Subaru pre-2009 |
| Blue | Prestone MAX® European Vehicles | BMW, Mini, Mercedes pre-2014, Volkswagen pre-1997, Audit pre-1997, Jaguar pre-1999, Porsche pre-1996 |
| Violet | Prestone MAX® European Vehicles | Audi 2008 and newer, Volkswagen 2009 and newer, Porsche 2010 and newer, Mercedes 2014 and newer |
Prestone Universal Antifreeze
For automotive service centers seeking to consolidate ordering and serve customers with a single solution, Prestone® offers a universal antifreeze.
What Color Is Prestone All-Vehicle Coolant?
Prestone®’s All-Vehicle Antifreeze + Coolant’s iconic color is yellow, and it’s immediately recognizable among experienced auto technicians and drivers.
This universal antifreeze is engineered to protect engines across makes and models. The ready-to-use formula includes Prestone Cor-Guard® technology to prevent rust, corrosion, buildup, and clogging. Whether you’re topping off or refilling after a complete flush, it’s designed to deliver 10-year, 300,000-mile protection. This is an ideal product for light vehicle fleets, repair shops, and retailers.
Tilley Distribution Is Your Trusted Prestone Distributor
Tilley knows that Prestone® keeps your fleet running smoothly. We offer access to the full catalog of Prestone® automotive products and a robust distribution network, ensuring on-time delivery and competitive pricing. We combine next-level customer service with global resources to position our customers for lasting success.
Let Tilley smooth out your antifreeze supply chain challenges; speak with a Tilley representative today. Keep up with valuable industry insights on Tilley’s LinkedIn page.
