Antifreeze Facts

  • Glycol is the main ingredient used in all forms of antifreeze. Modern engines use a mixture of glycol and water as a coolant.

  • Using antifreeze without mixing it with water can damage the engine by causing high operating temperatures. Additives in the antifreeze can also gum up cooling system passages and damage water pump seals. Glycol should make up between 40 and 60 percent of the mix for best results.

  • Using a proper ratio of antifreeze to water ensures acceptable freezing and boiling protection for your vehicle. Distilled water ensures long engine life. The use of a refractometer to measure the percent of antifreeze in the mixture is also recommended.

  • Using our premixed Arctic Blend™ recycled antifreeze products eliminates the guess work of mixing antifreeze yourself.

  • Most antifreeze uses ethylene glycol, C2H6O2, but propylene glycol, C3H8O2, products are becoming more common. Ethylene glycol is less expensive to produce. Propylene glycol is less toxic.

  • Care must be used when handling and storing antifreeze because of toxicity. Ethylene glycol is poisonous to humans and animals in relatively small dosages. Propylene glycol can also be toxic in sufficiently large quantities.

  • There are approximately 210 million gallons of antifreeze concentrate produced in North America each year. About 80 percent goes to refill leaking cooling systems.

  • Best Management Practices can help prevent the contamination of used antifreeze from poor shop waste management practices.

  • One of the reasons it is important to recycle is that large quantities of glycol can suffocate aquatic life and disrupt sewage treatment processes. Used antifreeze is often contaminated with toxic materials such as lead and benzene as well.