Coolant types chart and selector

Updated 6 November 2026 · Independent, sourced reference

Use this coolant types chart as a lookup table. Find the word printed on your bottle or in your manual in the first table, jump to that type, and see which inhibitors it uses, which OEM codes coolant makers list for it and which products in our directory carry it. For the background on what coolant is, read what is coolant; for a head-to-head of the three main families, read OAT vs HOAT vs IAT.

Buying coolant? Start with what your car maker sells

The vehicle maker's own genuine coolant is the simplest safe choice if your owner's manual calls for it. Models, engines and years differ, so check the manual first.

MakeGenuine coolant (our sourced page)Spec code listedBuy
ToyotaToyota Genuine Super Long Life Coolantnot publishedCheck price on Amazon
HondaHonda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2Honda Type 2Check price on Amazon
NissanNissan Long Life Coolant BlueNissan L25500PCheck price on Amazon
SubaruSubaru Super Coolant 50/50 Predilutednot publishedCheck price on Amazon
GM / ChevroletACDelco GM Original Equipment Dex-Cool 50/50 Pre-Mix Engine Coolantnot publishedCheck price on Amazon
FordMotorcraft Orange Prediluted Antifreeze/CoolantWSS-M97B44-D2Check price on Amazon
Chrysler / Jeep / Ram / DodgeMopar 10-Year/150,000-Mile OAT Coolant 50/50 PredilutedMS-12106Check price on Amazon
BMWGenuine BMW Antifreeze/Coolant (Blue) 82141467704not publishedCheck price on Amazon

Other makes, or not sure? Use Find my car coolant with the spec code from your manual, or see where to buy coolant.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions never change which products we list or what the data says.

Confirm the specification in your owner’s manual before buying. Product examples are not a fitment guarantee.

Selector: from label words to coolant type

If the label or manual saysTypeIn our directory
"conventional", "traditional green", IATIAT10 products
"extended life", "long life", OAT, "Dex-Cool type"OAT42 products
"hybrid", HOAT, "G05 type"HOAT15 products
"phosphated", P-HOAT, P-OAT, "Asian vehicles"P-HOAT / P-OAT9 products
Si-OAT, "silicated OAT", "G12++/G13 type"Si-OAT10 products
NOAT, "nitrited OAT", "heavy-duty ELC"NOATNone tagged yet

Counts come from what each maker publishes. 51 of the 139 products do not state a chemistry and are not counted. One product lists P-Si-OAT, which uses both phosphate and silicate.

Inhibitor matrix

TypeInhibitor packageOrganic acidsSilicatePhosphate
IATMinerals: silicate, phosphate, borate, nitrite, nitrate [1]NoYesYes, can include
OATOrganic carboxylic acids and azoles [3]YesGenerally noneGenerally none
HOATOrganic acids plus a smaller mineral dose [1]YesDepends on regionDepends on region
P-HOAT / P-OATOrganic acids plus phosphate [1]YesNoYes
Si-OATOrganic acids plus a little silicate [1]YesYes (low)No
NOATOAT plus nitrite, sometimes molybdate [4][3]YesPer formulationPer formulation

The glycol base, ethylene or propylene, is a separate choice from the inhibitor type [1]. Colour is a dye and does not identify the type [7].

IAT (inorganic additive technology)

InhibitorsMinerals: silicate, phosphate, borate, nitrite, nitrate [1]
Label words to look for"conventional", "traditional green", IAT
Service lifeShortest; the protective film is used up as it works [2][1]
Codes most often listed in our directoryGM 1825M, MS-7170, GM 1899M, SAE J814
Typically used inOlder vehicles whose manuals call for conventional coolant, and some low-cost markets.

Products in our directory whose makers list this chemistry:

OAT (organic acid technology)

InhibitorsOrganic carboxylic acids and azoles [3]
Label words to look for"extended life", "long life", OAT, "Dex-Cool type"
Service lifeExtended: around 5 years / 150,000 miles light-duty is typical [5]
Codes most often listed in our directoryGM 6277M, WSS-M97B44-D, MS-12106, JIS K2234
Typically used inMany modern cars and light trucks whose makers specify an extended-life organic coolant.

Products in our directory whose makers list this chemistry:

HOAT (hybrid organic acid technology)

InhibitorsOrganic acids plus a smaller mineral dose [1]
Label words to look for"hybrid", HOAT, "G05 type"
Service lifePer the maker's spec; heavy-duty HOAT may need supplemental additives [5]
Codes most often listed in our directoryBS 6580, GM 1899M, GM 1825M, MS-9769
Typically used inVehicles specifying a hybrid coolant. Check which mineral inhibitor your spec expects.

Products in our directory whose makers list this chemistry:

P-HOAT / P-OAT (phosphated hybrid)

InhibitorsOrganic acids plus phosphate [1]
Label words to look for"phosphated", P-HOAT, P-OAT, "Asian vehicles"
Service lifePer the maker's spec
Codes most often listed in our directoryJIS K2234, WSS-M97B57-A1
Typically used inMany Asian-brand cars. Follow the exact maker spec, since phosphate and silicate hybrids are not interchangeable.

Products in our directory whose makers list this chemistry:

Si-OAT (silicated OAT)

InhibitorsOrganic acids plus a little silicate [1]
Label words to look forSi-OAT, "silicated OAT", "G12++/G13 type"
Service lifePer the maker's spec
Codes most often listed in our directoryBS 6580, VW TL 774-G, MAN 324 Typ Si-OAT, Cummins CES 14603
Typically used inMany European cars. See G11, G12, G13 and G48 explained.

Products in our directory whose makers list this chemistry:

NOAT (nitrited OAT)

InhibitorsOAT plus nitrite, sometimes molybdate [4][3]
Label words to look forNOAT, "nitrited OAT", "heavy-duty ELC"
Service lifeHeavy-duty ratings; per the engine maker
Codes most often listed in our directorynone tagged yet
Typically used inHeavy-duty trucks and equipment. See heavy-duty diesel coolant.
Next steps

Next steps

How we source this page

  • Facts come from manufacturer pages, datasheets, owner's manuals and standards bodies, linked under Sources.
  • We do not test products, and no brand pays to be listed or ranked. Advertising and affiliate links are labelled and never change the data.
  • Anything we could not find is marked "not published" rather than guessed. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Sources

Sources

  1. [1] Chiron / Natrad: Coolant Selection Guide (PDF)
  2. [2] Gates: Understanding Coolant Technology (PDF)
  3. [3] Dober: What are conventional, hybrid and OAT additives?
  4. [4] Caltex: Coolants 102, organic additive technology variations
  5. [5] STLE Tribology & Lubrication Technology, May 2025: Automotive cooling fluids market
  6. [6] Audi of America TSB via NHTSA: mixing Audi-approved engine coolants (PDF)
  7. [7] MAHLE Aftermarket Technical Messenger 11/2024 (PDF)
  8. [8] The AA: What is antifreeze and how to use it

Frequently asked questions

What are the main types of coolant?

IAT (conventional), OAT (organic acid), and hybrids such as HOAT, P-HOAT and Si-OAT. Heavy-duty diesels may use nitrited OAT (NOAT).

Which coolant type lasts longest?

Organic acid (OAT) and low-mineral hybrid coolants generally have the longest intervals. Conventional IAT has the shortest.

Is HOAT the same as Si-OAT?

Not exactly. HOAT is a broad hybrid family. Si-OAT is a hybrid that uses silicate, and P-HOAT uses phosphate instead.

How do I know my coolant type?

Check the specification in your owner's manual and on the bottle. Colour is not a reliable guide.