Land Rover Coolant
Coolant plays a big role in keeping your engine running properly. It keeps your engine cool in warmer months and prevents it from freezing in the winter. Land Rover models use all different types of coolant, and there is no one solution for all vehicles. This is why our skilled Garden City Garage team are on hand with any Land Rover coolant advice you need.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at why coolant is vital for a fully functioning engine, discuss the three main types of coolant to choose from – Organic (OAT), inorganic (IAT) and a mix of both (HOAT) – and review what happens if the wrong type of coolant is used in your Land Rover.
So read on as our Land Rover experts share all their coolant knowledge…
The role of coolant in your Land Rover
Coolant is a liquid used in your Land Rover’s cooling system to regulate its engine temperature. It circulates through the engine, absorbing excess heat and transferring it to the radiator where it’s released. Coolant is typically a mixture of water and antifreeze – concentrated chemical additives – that lower the freezing point, raise the boiling point and inhibit corrosion within the engine’s cooling system.
Why use coolant in your Land Rover engine?
There are six main functions of coolant in Land Rover vehicles, they are:
Thermal control: Engines produce heat as they are moving at thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm). Coolant transfers this heat away from the engine and prevents it from overheating, as engines can reach upwards of 120°C in warmer climates.
Eliminates Freezing: In harsh winter environments, cars are left in the cold and internal liquid could freeze without coolant. This is vital as cars are designed to work as low as -40°C.
Preventing Corrosion: Additives inside the coolant are used to lower the risk of rust and corrosion on the engine internals, increasing the longevity of a Land Rover engine.
Erosion Protection: Electrolysis is a chemical process that occurs when electricity is transferred through a liquid. Coolant prevents the possibility of erosion of engine components during electrolysis.
Longevity of Components: Not only for metal engine components, rubber and plastic tubes are protected and last longer as a result of good quality coolant.
Lubrication: As high-pressure, fast-flowing coolant is pumped through the system, fluid needs to move freely and coolant allows the water pump to seal and function properly.
Your Land Rover is a carefully engineered machine and was designed to use a specific type of coolant. If the incorrect coolant is used it could cause long-lasting engine damage. The same damage can occur if the coolant was not replaced according to manufacturer guidelines.
What type of coolant does Land Rover recommend?
Coolant recommendations vary based on the model, year, and specific engine in your Land Rover. Using the recommended coolant is essential to ensure proper cooling system function, prevent corrosion, and maintain the vehicle’s overall performance.
Always refer to your Land Rover owner’s manual in the first instance or seek advice from a specialist Land Rover garage, like our team here, to ensure you are using the correct coolant for your vehicle.
Land Rover coolant vs driving habits and weather conditions
Your Land Rover cooling system needs to work harder in extreme weather. Coolant is intended to keep the engine working at an optimum temperature, an increase in outside temperatures means the system has to work extra hard.
Coolant during hot weather is at a higher temperature around the engine bay, increasing the chances of overheating and component faults. Driving at a lower speed also reduces the airflow to the engine and coolant system and causes higher coolant temperatures and increases the risk of damage too.
Therefore it’s vital that not only the correct coolant is used, but also the right amount is used and replaced at the right intervals. At Garden City Garage, our bespoke Land Rover technicians have the best knowledge when it comes to coolant systems and coolant replacement.
Coolant choices for Land Rovers with high mileage
Land Rovers with high mileage should be regularly checked for coolant. This should be done at a specialist garage such as Garden City Garage, as we have the expertise and tools to test and replace your Land Rover coolant properly.
It’s advised to change the coolant according to Land Rover’s recommended intervals. Not only this, the system needs to be properly flushed, checked for leaks, topped up and bled to ensure your Land Rover will keep cool during normal engine operation.
What if you use the wrong coolant type in your Land Rover?
The wrong type of coolant in your Land Rovers engine can lead to all sorts of issues. They include corrosion and damage to water pumps and seals. Also, the radiator, which is responsible for cooling the coolant liquid, and the surrounding hoses can get damaged if the wrong coolant is used.
If any leaks or damage occurs to piping then the coolant is not efficiently flowing around the engine bay and engine internals, which can cause severe damage. The worst type of engine failure, a blown head gasket, is one of the most costly to repair too. The cause of a head gasket failure is to do with neglecting your coolant, causing the engine to overheat and metal components to expand.
How to ensure you’re using the right type of coolant for your Land Rover?
At Garden City Garage we have the knowledge and expertise on hand to replace and test cooling systems and coolant. Whilst your Land Rover user manual goes some way in explaining your coolant type and replacement interval, only expert technicians and specialist tools will be sufficient in replacing it correctly to ensure your Land Rover engine lasts for years to come.
Maximising the performance and longevity of your Land Rover’s engine
Coolant plays a major role in maximising the performance of your Land Rover engine. Getting your coolant system checked regularly, and replaced according to your user manual and Land Rover guidelines is essential.
Once you see any coolant leaks, or notice the coolant level below the minimum shown on the tank in your engine bay, it’s time to call Garden City Garage. We are on hand to deal with any coolant issues with your Land Rover in a friendly, concise manner.
