Optimal Performance Motorcycle Coolant & Anti-Freeze

When reading the labels of coolants, one thing to understand is that performance and specifications will vary by many factors. These include the geographic location, altitude, air condition, or condition of the engine and cooling system on the motorcycle itself.

The term anti freeze and coolant are often used interchangeably. The coolant you want to use in your motorcycle radiator actually serves a dual-purpose of preventing the coolant system from freezing solid in cold weather while also preventing extreme temperature in hot weather or heavy usage.

In many cases, the purchase decision is at the hand of the consumer as there are plenty of specialty coolant products on the market and several different brands to accommodate any brand loyalty that exists.

The important component that you should be looking out for when shopping for coolant is the presence of ethylene glycol. This chemical compound is so widely used in coolant products that it is commonly referred to as simply “anti freeze”.

Using proper coolant is essential because it substantially raises the boiling point of the liquid in the cooling system. A 50/50 mix of anti freeze and water will substantially raise the boiling point to 106 C (223 F). A 70/30 mixture can reach temperatures of up to 113 C (235 F). To increase the cooling effects of the anti freeze solution, radiator and cooling systems are pressurized, which effectively raises the boiling and freezing points of the coolant.

If you are interested in frugality and simplicity, you may be considering using car coolant in a motorcycle. Luckily, this is in fact possible. Many coolant manufacturers describe how their coolant products are versatile for use in many different vehicle types such as all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, and cars and trucks. To be sure, it is always best to read the label carefully or check with a local repair expert.

Simply put, the boiling point of water is lower than coolant and the freezing point is higher. This puts your motorcycle in a risky situation if exposed to extremely high heat or being stored or operated in a cool climate. Always plan to use one of the widely available coolant products available today.

While you may have heard that coolant systems utilize a ratio of water and coolant, please think twice before assuming that means you can use water alone to cool your motorcycle. Decades ago, water used to be commonplace as a coolant for industrial and mechanical applications. However, with the advent of manufacturing techniques and discoveries in cooling technologies, chemical coolant products are widely available on the market today. Affordably priced for a simple maintenance exercise, there is no excuse for attempting to use water in place of proper coolant products for your motorcycle.

Engine Ice is a very popular coolant product for motorcycles. It is considered a high-performance engine coolant for racing vehicles including cars and motorcycles. However, it is possible to use in everyday passenger vehicles for leisure.

To save on cost and the effort involved in doing a complete coolant flush of a motorcycle, you may be considering “topping up” the coolant in your motorcycle. This leads to the situation of a mix-and-match of coolants in your radiator and cooling system.

While many manufacturers, including Engine Ice, recommend that you flush and do a complete replace of your coolant prior to installing, it is possible to mix small amounts of other coolants with each other. The Engine Ice manufacturer, for instance, agrees it is possible to top up your coolant levels with Engine Ice. However, preference should always be given to doing a complete refresh of your coolant in order to keep your machine running in the best form possible.