Can You Mix Yellow and Orange Antifreeze?

Antifreeze topping up is periodic maintenance that needs to be followed by every vehicle owner. If different-colored coolant is lying around your garage, then you might be wondering if you can mix yellow and orange antifreeze.

Can you mix yellow and orange antifreeze? Both yellow and orange are made using modern OAT (Organic Acid Technology). It means they are the same type and can be mixed without hesitation. However, you need to follow the correct ratio when blending.

Here are the complete guide about the can you mix orange and yellow coolant. Let’s know about it.

What are the Uses of Yellow and Orange Antifreeze?

The similarity between yellow and orange coolants is they are made of an OAT formula. Below, I shared more details and uses of these 2 coolant types.

You may also read Can You Mix Red and Green Coolant?

Yellow Antifreeze

Yellow antifreeze is known as a premium-quality coolant. It is an Organic Acid Technology-based coolant free from amines, borates, nitrites, silicates, and phosphates. For this reason, it is commonly used in the coolant system of light-duty automobiles and trucks.

In automobiles, this antifreeze offers more than 5 years or 150,000 miles of service life. Your car engine and coolant system will get protection from corrosion forming when yellow antifreeze is used. It also guards against freezing and boils over.

• Compatible with conventional coolants like Peak, Zerex, and Prestone.
• Suitable for several makes and models of light-duty vehicles
• Provides outstanding protection in high operating temperature

Orange Antifreeze

The orange antifreeze is ideal for newer cars equipped with more nylon and aluminum components in the cooling system. However, it delivers good protection against corrosion in older models as well.

These coolants feature carboxylates, preventing corrosion buildup. The remarkable thing about this acid is that it creates a protective layer on the metallic parts and doesn’t interfere with the non-metallic parts. Moreover, it is a blend of multiple Organic Acid Technologies, assisting in inhibiting rust formation.

The longevity of orange coolant is 5 years, meaning frequent refilling is unnecessary, and your engine will not experience issues during this time.

• Protects different metallic parts of the coolant system efficiently
• Formulated for newer vehicles
• Prevents rust and corrosion buildup in different components of the coolant system

Can You Mix Yellow and Orange?

In simpler words, yes, you can mix yellow and orange as long as they are formulated following the same Organic Acid Technology.

“One of the owners of Focus St3 2015 stated that he mixed yellow and orange and used it in his car. With the blend of yellow and orange antifreeze, he drove roughly 50K miles and no issue happened till date.” (Source)

Moreover, yellow antifreeze is known as a “universal” coolant. They use long-life antifreeze formula and are designed for mixing with other coolants safely. However, ensure that the other coolants are formulated following the same OAT as yellow antifreeze before mixing.

Furthermore, they are a good choice for all models and make of light trucks and cars.

If you have a light-duty truck, mix orange and yellow without thinking twice and refill the coolant system.

One crucial note is maintaining a perfect ratio. You can’t mix more % of a coolant type in the blend. The percentage has to be equal for both yellow and orange coolants. If any of the coolant types is more in the mixture, you will not get the expected performance from the antifreeze. Your vehicle will not cool down and run at high temperatures on the road. Thus, your car engine will become damaged gradually.

Also, don’t mix two coolant types based on color. They have to be the same type, unless mixing should be prohibited.

Every car is designed for a specific coolant type. Consult a professional mechanic if you don’t know what coolant color suits your car.

I think you got a brief overview about the can you mix orange and yellow coolant.

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How to Mix Yellow and Orange Antifreeze?

You can’t simply mix orange and yellow coolant following any ratio. Moreover, the antifreeze needs to be blended with water and poured into the coolant system.

So, a blend is required using an exact ratio.

Follow the below ratio when blending,

For normal temperatures,

• Mix 50% yellow and 50% orange coolant in a bottle. Then blend it thoroughly using a clean stick. Next, pour 50% water into another bottle and 50% yellow-orange coolant.

Also read this Can I Mix 50/50 Coolant With Concentrate?

For harsh winter temperatures,

• Mix 35% yellow and 35% orange coolant in a bottle. Then blend it thoroughly using a clean stick. Next, pour 30% water into another bottle and 70% yellow-orange coolant.

For hotter temperatures,

• Mix 30% yellow and 30% orange coolant in a bottle. Then blend it thoroughly using a clean stick. Next, pour 40% water into another bottle and 60% yellow-orange coolant.

Maintaining this ratio or balance is important. Otherwise, the coolant blend will not perform as expected, leading your vehicle to expensive repairs.

Does Mixing Yellow and Orange Have Any Benefits?

Running your vehicle during winter or freezing temperatures is challenging. Also, premature damage can happen when your engine runs at high temperatures.

Here I shared what benefits the yellow-green coolant blend offers.

• Yellow-orange coolant transfers and optimizes the engine heat.
• Deploy antifreeze protection, helping your car engine to run at its optimum level
• Prevents failure of engine related to overheating
• Your car engine can run efficiently at freezing temperature
• Offers corrosion prevention
• Rust particles block the small passageways. Orange-yellow antifreeze prevents rust particles and clogs.

Yellow-orange coolant runs through the engine when you drive your car. This coolant circulates back via the radiator. Then, it runs through the bottom part of the radiator and is brought up by the water pump to the engine head and block.

In this case, the coolant absorbs heat and optimizes the engine’s running temperature.

When the work is completed, it gets transferred to the radiator’s upper part, where it cools again. This is how orange-yellow coolant benefits the car engine.

Caution While Mixing Yellow and Orange Antifreeze?

An improper mixture or not ensuring caution while mixing yellow and orange antifreeze blends can do more harm than good.

So, follow the below cautions mandatorily,

• Park your car on an even and flat surface.
• Mixing the coolant with the correct ratio is the prime caution to take. The correct ratio is 50:50, and it is mandatory to follow if you want the best performance from the coolant mixture.
• Don’t choose the wrong coolant type when blending. For example, you can’t mix an Organic Acid Technology and an Inorganic Additive technology coolant. The coolants have to be of a similar type.
• Ensure the coolant system and engine are cool before proceeding to work.
• If you choose the wrong coolants to mix, avoid pouring them if you see signs like gel-like liquid.
• Refill the coolant system following the proper coolant level. Avoid pouring too much or too low capacity. Every coolant system comes with a specific capacity. Read the manufacturer’s manual to learn it.
• It would be best to buy the coolant depending on your car engine. For instance, check your car engine material. Then decide what coolant to use. If your car engine is made of aluminum, buy coolant that is compatible with aluminum engines.
• Locate where the coolant reservoir is. The refilling process will be effortless if you find it prior to work.
• Flushing the old coolant and releasing all the air from the coolant reservoir is vital. Don’t mix the old coolant with the new antifreeze.
• Be steady and careful when pouring coolant. Rushing should be prohibited. Go slowly and take enough time if required.

What Coolant Can You Mix with Yellow?

As mentioned earlier, yellow is a “global” coolant. You can use it in any car make and model, without trouble. But mixing is only possible if you choose the same type of coolant for blending.

You can mix them with red or orange coolant, as they are the same as yellow antifreeze with no danger whatsoever.

You may also read Can You Mix Green and Yellow Antifreeze?

Moreover, they can also be blended with Porsche/Audi/VW pink and purple Toyota Blue coolants. Furthermore, yellow coolant is an ideal option for a heavy-duty diesel truck.

What Coolant Can You Mix with Orange?

The orange coolant uses OAT technology. So, it is advisable to mix it with other coolants that also feature OAT. However, antifreeze with the colors orange can be safely mixed.

What antifreeze can you mix with orange?

The only antifreeze that you can mix with orange antifreeze is another orange antifreeze.

Orange antifreeze is also known as OAT (organic acid technology) antifreeze. It is typically orange or pink, and it is made with organic acids instead of inorganic additives. OAT antifreeze is compatible with most vehicles, but it is important to check your owner’s manual to be sure.

You should never mix orange antifreeze with green antifreeze. Green antifreeze is also known as IAT (inorganic additive technology) antifreeze.

Final Words—Can you mix yellow and orange antifreeze

Hopefully, now you have the answer to the question, can you mix orange and yellow coolant?

Mixing different-colored antifreeze is possible if they are made using the same technology. 

Also, mixing with the right ratio is crucial for the best result. Top up with the recommended antifreeze periodically and ensure long-time performance from your car engine.

Yellow and orange antifreeze uses Organic Acid Technology. So, blending them will not be a big issue. They are the same type of antifreeze, and their working mechanism is similar. However, if you are still doubtful, visit your nearest mechanic shop and take it with a mechanic.