3.3TT What coolant?

[StingStingStingSting]

Kind of embarrassing question, but I just bought a used Stinger a couple weeks ago. Noticed my coolant overflow was basically empty, went to Canadian Tire and bought OEM brand Yellow coolant for Kias. Go to fill and realize the coolant in my Sting sting is green. Was talking to the dealer, they just told me to fill it up with green coolant and couldn't tell me anything else.

Manual says: The engine in your vehicle has aluminum engine parts and must be protected by an ethylene-glycol with phosphate based coolant to prevent corrosion and freezing.

Under fluid specifications it says:
Mixture of antifreeze and distilled water (Ethylene glycol base coolant for aluminum radiator)

Coolant I bought:, OEM brand Hyundai Kia Yellow

I'm assuming I need this instead, Prestone Asian Green

The yellow coolant is ethylene glycol based and meets ASTM D3306 and JISK2234 but doesn't mention phosphates. The Prestone Asian Green meets ASTM D3306 and D4985 but doesn't mention JISK2234 or phosphates, and it lists compatibility as POAT, but doesn't mention ethylene glycol. Yellow doesn't list a compatibility.

Should I go pick up the Asian green? Or will the yellow be ok? Or something else entirely? Just topping up. I read mixing the new OAT HOAT and PHOAT coolants with the IAT coolants will make gel. No way the Kia dealer put IAT in a Stinger right? I have an appointment to get my diff fluids and transfer case fluid changed 9 days from now, maybe I should wait and just let them top it up? Overflow is empty when cold. They flushed it around 30,000 km ago. Tried to post links but since I'm new I'm blocked so I attached pics of the coolants. I'm probably overthinking this but don't wanna chance it. Sorry for the long ass post but this coolant stuff is driving me nuts. Thanks

 

[NS_Stinger]

You need to match the coolant colour or risk the coolant turning to jelly. Go green for sure.

 

[StingStingStingSting]

You need to match the coolant colour or risk the coolant turning to jelly. Go green for sure.

Yeah for sure. I'll top up with Asian Green and keep an eye on it. Thanks bro. Just hella paranoid it's got the old school IAT stuff in it. I asked what brand they just said green. I had major issues with the last dealership I dealt with, not Kia, but I've heard Kia dealerships don't have great service departments. Also, I'm in NS in the valley! Haven't seen any Stingers around NS except one and I figured its the one I ended up buying a couple weeks ago lmao, maybe it was you I seen that day haha

 

[NS_Stinger]

Yeah for sure. I'll top up with Asian Green and keep an eye on it. Thanks bro. Just hella paranoid it's got the old school IAT stuff in it. I asked what brand they just said green. I had major issues with the last dealership I dealt with, not Kia, but I've heard Kia dealerships don't have great service departments. Also, I'm in NS in the valley! Haven't seen any Stingers around NS except one and I figured its the one I ended up buying a couple weeks ago lmao, maybe it was you I seen that day haha

Welcome! I bought mine new in 2018 so totally possible it was me. I see quite a few around HRM these days, not like back in 2018 when I first got mine and I felt like it was one of the only ones in the city. I fully service mine and never go to the dealer anymore.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I got paranoid too. When I saw KIA on the bottle I figured that was the one. Ima pretty sure it's green.

 

[Thomby]

You need to match the coolant colour or risk the coolant turning to jelly. Go green for sure.

I got paranoid too. When I saw KIA on the bottle I figured that was the one. Ima pretty sure it's green.

Color isn't tied to type of coolant any more. The Stinger has come with several different colors, including green (*not* the same as traditional glycol green), pink (2020+?), and possibly orange (*not* the same as traditional GM DexCool), and there are identical "Asian" P/HOAT formulations in those colors plus blue.

So sticking with the same color makes sense, but if you can't, you'd be better off mixing colors within the same formulation, vs. mixing formulations while trying to match color. Post below has AutoZone links to the same PEAK coolant in 3 colors.

T

Post in thread 'Orange coolant'

May 20, 2023

I don't think the color is definitive the way it used to be, and remember seeing the same formulation (POAT/"Asian vehicle") in several colors -- check out the labels for Peak/Asian pink, blue, and green below. Green says Kias 1990 and up, but ingredients match.

I've also read that Hyundai/Kia switched over from green to pink OEM either for slightly longer life or arbitrarily based on production line, and that they're otherwise compatible, and the Autozone/Oreillys lookups showed green for my Stinger even though mine is bright pink. Since they looked identical I went with pink mostly...

• Thomby

• 

 

[Alpinesting]

Color isn't tied to type of coolant any more. The Stinger has come with several different colors, including green (*not* the same as traditional glycol green), pink (2020+?), and possibly orange (*not* the same as traditional GM DexCool), and there are identical "Asian" P/HOAT formulations in those colors plus blue.

So sticking with the same color makes sense, but if you can't, you'd be better off mixing colors within the same formulation, vs. mixing formulations while trying to match color. Post below has AutoZone links to the same PEAK coolant in 3 colors.

T

Post in thread 'Orange coolant'

May 20, 2023

I don't think the color is definitive the way it used to be, and remember seeing the same formulation (POAT/"Asian vehicle") in several colors -- check out the labels for Peak/Asian pink, blue, and green below. Green says Kias 1990 and up, but ingredients match.

I've also read that Hyundai/Kia switched over from green to pink OEM either for slightly longer life or arbitrarily based on production line, and that they're otherwise compatible, and the Autozone/Oreillys lookups showed green for my Stinger even though mine is bright pink. Since they looked identical I went with pink mostly...

• Thomby

• 

P-HOAT (Phosphated Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) That is what I have. It is pink but I don't think the color matters just as long it

formulated for aluminum engines I suppose.

 

[StingStingStingSting]

I can't find one that specfically says PHOAT, but I can find Green POAT for Asian cars that has KIA on the label. POAT and PHOAT should be compatible?

 

[Snicklefritz]

I can't find one that specfically says PHOAT, but I can find Green POAT for Asian cars that has KIA on the label. POAT and PHOAT should be compatible?

I think we are over-thinking this. The manual only says, "ethylene glycol base coolant for aluminum radiator". It also says to mix 35% to 65% full-strength antifreeze with distilled/soft water, and specifically warns against hard water.

I've got a bottle of Zerex by Valvoline that has HYUNDAI/KIA on the label. Generally it is for Asian cars. It's green and is premixed 50/50 with water. I've only used it a couple of times to top up the overflow tank.

 

[StingStingStingSting]

I think we are over-thinking this. The manual only says, "ethylene glycol base coolant for aluminum radiator". It also says to mix 35% to 65% full-strength antifreeze with distilled/soft water, and specifically warns against hard water.

I've got a bottle of Zerex by Valvoline that has HYUNDAI/KIA on the label. Generally it is for Asian cars. It's green and is premixed 50/50 with water. I've only used it a couple of times to top up the overflow tank.

Probably overthinking it for sure. Just read some horror stories of mixing coolant and wasn't 100 percent sure, and the manual and coolant bottles are vague af. Imma go get some Asian Green POAT. Thanks for the replies everyone

 

[Ah GetFd]

Kind of embarrassing question, but I just bought a used Stinger a couple weeks ago. Noticed my coolant overflow was basically empty, went to Canadian Tire and bought OEM brand Yellow coolant for Kias. Go to fill and realize the coolant in my Sting sting is green. Was talking to the dealer, they just told me to fill it up with green coolant and couldn't tell me anything else.

Manual says: The engine in your vehicle has aluminum engine parts and must be protected by an ethylene-glycol with phosphate based coolant to prevent corrosion and freezing.

Under fluid specifications it says:
Mixture of antifreeze and distilled water (Ethylene glycol base coolant for aluminum radiator)

Coolant I bought:, OEM brand Hyundai Kia Yellow

I'm assuming I need this instead, Prestone Asian Green

The yellow coolant is ethylene glycol based and meets ASTM D3306 and JISK2234 but doesn't mention phosphates. The Prestone Asian Green meets ASTM D3306 and D4985 but doesn't mention JISK2234 or phosphates, and it lists compatibility as POAT, but doesn't mention ethylene glycol. Yellow doesn't list a compatibility.

Should I go pick up the Asian green? Or will the yellow be ok? Or something else entirely? Just topping up. I read mixing the new OAT HOAT and PHOAT coolants with the IAT coolants will make gel. No way the Kia dealer put IAT in a Stinger right? I have an appointment to get my diff fluids and transfer case fluid changed 9 days from now, maybe I should wait and just let them top it up? Overflow is empty when cold. They flushed it around 30,000 km ago. Tried to post links but since I'm new I'm blocked so I attached pics of the coolants. I'm probably overthinking this but don't wanna chance it. Sorry for the long ass post but this coolant stuff is driving me nuts. Thanks

I have two My 23 Stinger GTs from new and they both have Pink coolant that has never been topped up.

The GM vehicle I had prior, a V8 Aluminium engine, had Red coolant, and it was essential to be replaced only with Red coolant as this was required for Aluminium engines. The previous GM models had Green coolant. They were not to be interchanged.

Just because some may have "Asian Green" doesn't necessarily mean this is the right coolant. It may have been changed. Or it may have been there all along.

The point of having red and green coolant was to distinguish it so that it was not interchanged.

I hate to quote AI but this is what is printed when I search "Genuine Kia Stinger Coolant Australia"

The genuine coolant for a Kia Stinger is typically a P-HOAT (Pink, Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) antifreeze/coolant, often rebranded from a major supplier like Zerex or Mopar, designed for aluminum radiators, and should be mixed 50/50 with distilled water; always check your owner's manual, but using the official Kia pink or a compatible HOAT/P-HOAT coolant is crucial to avoid gelling/sludge.

Key Details:

• Type: P-HOAT (Pink, Hybrid Organic Acid Technology).
• Color: Pink or Red/Pink.
• Base: Ethylene glycol.
• Mixing: Must be diluted 50/50 with distilled water (not tap water).
• Compatibility: Do not mix with other colors (like green or blue) as they have different chemical compositions and can cause engine issues.

Where to Get It:

• Kia Dealerships: For the official, rebranded product.
• Auto Parts Stores: Look for P-HOAT, Pink, or Mopar HOAT coolant (often Zerex brand).

Why It Matters:
Kia Stingers, especially with their aluminum engines, require specific coolant chemistry to prevent corrosion, scale buildup, and gelling. Using the wrong type can damage the cooling system.
What is the difference between red and Green Coolants?
Green coolant (IAT)

• Composition: Uses Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) with inhibitors like silicates and phosphates.
• Lifespan: Requires more frequent replacement, typically every 2-3 years or 40,000-50,000 kilometers.
• Application: Often found in older vehicles and is compatible with brass and copper radiators.

Red coolant (OAT/HOAT)

• Composition: Uses Organic Acid Technology (OAT) or Hybrid (HOAT) with different, long-lasting corrosion inhibitors.
• Lifespan: Has a much longer service life, often 5 years or 100,000+ kilometers.
• Application: Designed for modern vehicles, especially those with aluminum radiators, and is better at protecting against corrosion in these systems

In other words. Green is probably cheaper and is definitely in all the older cars out there.

I would suggest you go to an Official Kia dealer and ask.............or write to Kia Corporate in your city..

 

[StingStingStingSting]

I have two My 23 Stinger GTs from new and they both have Pink coolant that has never been topped up.

The GM vehicle I had prior, a V8 Aluminium engine, had Red coolant, and it was essential to be replaced only with Red coolant as this was required for Aluminium engines. The previous GM models had Green coolant. They were not to be interchanged.

Just because some may have "Asian Green" doesn't necessarily mean this is the right coolant. It may have been changed. Or it may have been there all along.

The point of having red and green coolant was to distinguish it so that it was not interchanged.

I hate to quote AI but this is what is printed when I search "Genuine Kia Stinger Coolant Australia"

The genuine coolant for a Kia Stinger is typically a P-HOAT (Pink, Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) antifreeze/coolant, often rebranded from a major supplier like Zerex or Mopar, designed for aluminum radiators, and should be mixed 50/50 with distilled water; always check your owner's manual, but using the official Kia pink or a compatible HOAT/P-HOAT coolant is crucial to avoid gelling/sludge.

Key Details:

• Type: P-HOAT (Pink, Hybrid Organic Acid Technology).
• Color: Pink or Red/Pink.
• Base: Ethylene glycol.
• Mixing: Must be diluted 50/50 with distilled water (not tap water).
• Compatibility: Do not mix with other colors (like green or blue) as they have different chemical compositions and can cause engine issues.

Where to Get It:

• Kia Dealerships: For the official, rebranded product.
• Auto Parts Stores: Look for P-HOAT, Pink, or Mopar HOAT coolant (often Zerex brand).

Why It Matters:
Kia Stingers, especially with their aluminum engines, require specific coolant chemistry to prevent corrosion, scale buildup, and gelling. Using the wrong type can damage the cooling system.
What is the difference between red and Green Coolants?
Green coolant (IAT)

• Composition: Uses Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) with inhibitors like silicates and phosphates.
• Lifespan: Requires more frequent replacement, typically every 2-3 years or 40,000-50,000 kilometers.
• Application: Often found in older vehicles and is compatible with brass and copper radiators.

Red coolant (OAT/HOAT)

• Composition: Uses Organic Acid Technology (OAT) or Hybrid (HOAT) with different, long-lasting corrosion inhibitors.
• Lifespan: Has a much longer service life, often 5 years or 100,000+ kilometers.
• Application: Designed for modern vehicles, especially those with aluminum radiators, and is better at protecting against corrosion in these systems

In other words. Green is probably cheaper and is definitely in all the older cars out there.

I would suggest you go to an Official Kia dealer and ask.............or write to Kia Corporate in your city..

I did phone my local dealer, all they could tell me was to get green... They were the last ones to touch the coolant, and whats in the tank is green. No way they put IAT in it right? If they did they didn't put the right spec fluid in.

So I'm assuming they are using the POAT/PHOAT asian green stuff and not old school IAT because I hear that is also green (and uncommon now AFAIK), and mixing IAT with POAT PHOAT or OAT and HOAT makes it turn to gel. IAT would also be the wrong coolant for the car so I'm trusting they didn't put that in it. The Asian green stuff I got is free of silicates amines nitrates etc so AFAIK if my car has the POAT/PHOAT stuff in it, it should be fine. Unless I'm wrong and you can't mix PHOAT and POAT.. think i'll just say f*ck it and see what happens

 

[Ah GetFd]

Yep. My cars came from the factory with Pink Coolant. A google search says it should be pink for Kia Stinger.

My knowledge of coolants is that green is for older cars, iron engines, copper radiators.

Everything aluminium is Red coolant.

If the chinks are farting around with all different colours then they are really screwing up the system

 

[StingStingStingSting]

Yep. My cars came from the factory with Pink Coolant. A google search says it should be pink for Kia Stinger.

My knowledge of coolants is that green is for older cars, iron engines, copper radiators.

Everything aluminium is Red coolant.

If the chinks are farting around with all different colours then they are really screwing up the system

Bro they got Asian Red Green anddd Blue with the same formulation, I hate coolant. But yeah I have read the newer models come with pink and I think the old ones are green, I don't think color matters anymore its just for looks. Like why tf was the coolant I bought first yellow for Kia and Hyundai? I spent hours looking into coolants and still don't know for sure if POAT and PHOAT can mix. Just going off what the all the different AIs said and lack of horror stories online. Also could not find a coolant labelled PHOAT anywhere near me. I'll ask again when I'm at the dealer what they think.

 

[Ah GetFd]

From Supercheap Auto, an after market car parts crowd here......

The most common types of antifreeze which are used today include; Ethylene Glycol and Organic Acid Technology. When you’re out shopping for a coolant you’ll see a lot of different colours, but don’t let that scare you. Coolant is a transparent fluid and different manufacturers add dyes to differentiate the coolant base. Always remember to read your car’s owner manual before you add a coolant to the car. The most common colours you will come across are green, red, blue, yellow or orange.

• Green coolant is your conventional coolant (Ethylene Glycol base) and is the most common type of coolant found.
• Red coolant is typically has a base of Organic Acid Technology which has a different chemical makeup of green coolant and is designed to be suitable for aluminium radiators. Red coolant is often silicate and phosphate free for use in later Japanese and Euro vehicles.
• Blue coolant is usually an Organic Acid Technology base and what makes it different from red coolant is that they’re normally Borate free which is a requirement for modern day Japanese vehicles that are supplied with blue coolant from factory.
• Yellow or Orange coolants are the latest in technology and are normally a universal product. Some universal coolants will allow top up mixing to a certain percentage of the overall capacity of the cooling system, so it’s important to keep this in mind when topping up.

Can I mix different coolants?​

Provided that the coolants which you are using have identical chemical makeup (for example, if two coolants are based on Ethylene Glycol), then it is normally safe for you to mix them together. If you aren’t certain on which base the current coolant that you have in your car uses, there are universal mixes available. If you don’t have access to a coolant then water may be used in place of it. However, it’s very important to keep in mind that water’s boiling point is significantly lower than a coolant’s and therefore, is less effective. Furthermore, coolants have rust-resistant properties whereas water does not.

 

[5tinger]

You pink guys must be new. Prior to about 2021 all Hyundai/Kia coolant were green.
The chemistry remains same between the two, P-OAT that is good for 10yrs.

Not sure why they went from green to pink, I suppose the pink would be a little easier to spot leaks and easier to check resiviour levels.

 

[LordKOTL]

You pink guys must be new. Prior to about 2021 all Hyundai/Kia coolant were green.
The chemistry remains same between the two, P-OAT that is good for 10yrs.

Not sure why they went from green to pink, I suppose the pink would be a little easier to spot leaks and easier to check resiviour levels.

Call me paranoid, but this is a worry of mine since mine came pink, but up until recently everywhere I looked it recommended the dark green.

 

[Thomby]

POAT and PHOAT should be compatible?

Unless I'm wrong and you can't mix PHOAT and POAT

The gel/sludge concerns are for old GM Dexcool (orange, OAT) vs. old Ford green. All the new Asian ones (POAT, HOAT, PHOAT) are ethylene glycol and compatible, they just differ in some additives specific to aluminum blocks etc. Color is no longer indicative of formulation.

You pink guys must be new. Prior to about 2021 all Hyundai/Kia coolant were green.

Correct, my 2022 uses hot pink.

Here are photos of identical Peak "Asian vehicle" coolants, in pink, green, and blue (latter is concentrate vs. 50/50, but same formula):

 

[Ah GetFd]

Well. I give up.

For as long as i can remember, cast iron engines used green coolant and aluminium engines used red coolant. There were no other colours.

Now I read this from a local radiator manufacturer.....NATRAD

and they are wrong anyway.

Holden cars are specified RED DexCool after 2006 by GM, in the service book and owner's manual..... the VE model as they all have aluminium engines

Choose The Right Coolant For Your Car

What is Coolant? Coolant is a fluid that circulates through your car’s cooling system. Usually a mixture of an anti-freeze anti-boil corrosion inhibitor concentrate that has been diluted 50/50 with good quality water, the coolant absorbs heat from the engine and releases it at the radiator. The...

natrad.com.au