Making the right coolant choice for you

Did you know that more than 20% of engine failures are associated with cooling system failures? Coolants are designed to protect engines from overheating and protect the cooling system from damage caused by corrosion, scaling and sediment build-up.

However, the use of poor-quality coolants can cause heat transfer problems and corrosion, which may result in expensive breakdowns and parts failures. High-quality coolants prevent this damage, keeping your vehicle on the road and out of the workshop.

radiator engine

Coolant Fundamentals

The Engine Cooling System

  • Heat is generated from fuel-air combustion.
  • The cooling system removes excess heat to protect the engine from overheating.

Antifreeze Coolant Functions

  • Provide effective heat transfer properties
  • Protect against freeze-up and boil-over damage
  • Protect system metals against all forms of corrosion

How Coolants Protect Equipment

  • Heat Transfer

    Heat transfer is the most important coolant property. Extended life coolants with OATs offer improved heat transfer over conventional coolants.

  • Corrosion Prevention

    Inorganic additives (conventional coolants) will impede heat transfer and corrosion protection will deplete over time. Organic additives form a replenishing protective bond which extend beyond the typical conventional protection window.

  • Cylinder Protection

    HD cylinder liner pitting is caused by repetitive cavitation erosion corrosion. This can be one of the most costly AF/C related failures and can happen in a very short time when an incorrect coolant is used.

  • Water pump Protection

    Water pump cavitation also results from the same conditions as cylinder liner cavitations. This occurs when the pump does not receive enough flow and vapor bubbles form. Minimizing water pump seal wear will prevent damage from cavitation.

More In Shell Antifreeze/Coolant Products

  • Shell Rotella® ELC Nitrate

    Shell Rotella® ELC Nitrite Free Antifreeze/Coolant

    The ideal product for mixed fleets including commercial heavy-duty diesel and natural-gas trucks, light-duty trucks and passenger cars. This product is designed to be compatible with engines powered by diesel, gasoline, LNG, CNG, waste natural gas and biofuels.

    Learn more about Shell Rotella® ELC Nitrite Free Antifreeze/Coolant

  • Shell Rotella® ELC

    Shell Rotella® ELC

    Shell Rotella® Extended Life Coolant is designed to go 600,000 on-highway miles and provide overall reduction in cooling system maintenance.

    Learn more about Shell Rotella® ELC

  • Shell HD Phosphate Free AFC

    Shell HD Phosphate Free AFC

    Shell HD Phosphate Free Antifreeze/Coolant provides complete engine and cooling system protection offered for customers wanting a fully formulated coolant in a wide variety of commercial trucks and equipment.

    Learn more about Shell HD Phosphate Free AFC

  • Shell Rotella® T3 Fleet Heavy Duty Engine Oil

    Light-Duty Products

    Our light-duty antifreeze/coolants are designed to provide heat and corrosion protection for passenger vehicles.

    Learn more about Light-Duty Products

Mechanic wearing gloves fixing an engine

Why choose Shell coolants

Shell coolants are formulated to exceed the engine performance requirements for vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from city cars to mining machines.

They help to reduce the cost of vehicle ownership by providing:

  • Outstanding heat transfer to prevent overheating
  • Excellent cooling system protection against freezing
  • Long service life to reduce the need for costly maintenance

*Requires full use of Shell Rotella® ELC Nitrite-Free 50/50 Coolant in the system and proper maintenance. Proper maintenance as detailed at shell.us/coolants. Follow OEM recommendations for specified maintenance.
** Shell Rotella® ELCs may be used up to 600,000 miles or 12,000 hours of operation in HD diesel applications reducing maintenance costs and downtime compared to conventional, fully formulated AFCs.
Passenger car maintenance requirements vary.

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