Looking for the best antifreeze for your RV? We’ve got your covered! Keeping your engine cool in the summer, and running right in the winter is really important.
I’ll never forget when my Grand Am sprang a coolant leak — without my knowledge. I was driving to my sister’s dress rehearsal for her wedding in Weston, Missouri. Then, out of nowhere, the temperature dial on my dashboard skyrocketed, and my heater went ice cold. I didn’t know, back then, I was supposed to have antifreeze with me.
After that fun experience, I always carry coolant in my trunk, and you should too. It’s just a matter of practicality. As the boy scouts say: be prepared. That goes double for when you are lugging the family and your possessions down the road in your RV. Life is grand when you’re rolling, but breaking down ain’t fun.
Just for clarity’s sake, antifreeze is also known as coolant — let’s jump in and learn more about this subject!
Related Read: How Much Does It Cost To Fix AC In Car
Why You Need the Best Antifreeze on Hand for Your RV
RVs have a greater need for the best antifreeze than a normal vehicle. If you get caught high and dry without any coolant, your entire vacation could be ruined. Especially when there are record heat waves crossing much of the country. Preparing your RV to beat the summer heat is essential, year-round.
Wouldn’t you rather have fond memories of time shared with loved ones than mar the memory of a vacation with an engine trouble ordeal?
What Antifreeze Is and How It Works
Antifreeze does two things: prevents water from boiling over in hot climates and prevents water from freezing in cold climates. The chemicals in coolants make it more difficult for molecules to bond with each other and crystalize. The chemicals get in the way and gum up the works, resulting in a lower freezing point.
Your RV can go everywhere, from deserts to mountains, to long stretches of heartland highway. You can travel and camp nearly year-round in some areas of the world, and you need to have good coolant to protect your engine while you are doing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you’ve added antifreeze to your automobile’s reservoir, it’s common to have some questions.
Is antifreeze dangerous for my pets?
Yes, it is dangerous; antifreeze is toxic to mammals. Ensure your pets do not ingest it.
Is antifreeze the same thing as coolant?
Yes, antifreeze and coolant mean the same thing.
What happens in cold seasons if I don’t use antifreeze?
If you don’t use it, and instead only use water as a coolant, you risk costly engine damage that could even destroy your engine. It’s essential to use the correct mix of antifreeze and water year-round, usually a 50/50 mix.
What types of antifreeze are there?
There are three main types of coolant: IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology), HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology), and OAT (Organic Acid Technology).
How long does the best antifreeze last?
There is no set time that antifreeze lasts, and it depends a great deal on how much you drive and whether or not you have a coolant leak. However, some manufacturers provide varying mileage guarantees.
Are the best antifreeze products universal?
It is true that antifreeze is universal, with one crucial exception. Note that some products are concentrated coolant that must be diluted with water, while other products come as ready-to-use mixtures of 50 percent coolant and 50 percent water.
How We Reviewed
Our list below is not sorted in any particular order, however, all of these we found to be great options for most RV owners. We looked for OEM (original equipment manufacturers) as well as finding other options that take the longevity of your engine and coolant system into consideration.
Make sure that you know whether or not your warranty requires using OEM parts and fluids in your engine.
Introducing the Best Antifreeze
Though the best antifreeze solutions are typically universal, it is inadvisable to mix and match liquids.
Some manufacturers have proprietary blends of chemicals and additives that might adversely affect the health and longevity of your automobile when combined.
BMW Antifreeze
BMW Antifreeze, 82141467704 is our first entry, and their product comes in a one-gallon container.
It’s likely only BMW owners will want to use this OEM antifreeze. BMW antifreeze is an OEM product, which typically cost more than non-OEM.
Be aware, also, that BMW warns to never remove the radiator or expansion tank cap from a hot engine. If you do, you risk a rapid discharge of heat and liquid that is very dangerous.
Furthermore, it consists of an ethylene glycol base that provides protection for steel, aluminum, and cast iron engines.
One thing we like about this BMW product is that it contains a bittering agent. The bittering agent helps discourage pets and animals from drinking it by ruining its natural sweetness.
Nissan Antifreeze
The first of the best antifreeze products is a Nissan product, 999MP-L25500P. Naturally, even though Nissan sells this coolant, but it can be used in vehicles that Nissan does not manufacture.
However, note that because this is an OEM product, you likely don’t want to use it for another make of vehicle.
This coolant is most likely appealing to Nissan owners who only want to use OEM products and avoid after-market and third-party products.
Nevertheless, note that the Nissan antifreeze is a mix of 50 percent water and 50 percent coolant. In fact, you can use it straight out of the container.
Not only does it lack amines and silicates, but it also doesn’t have borates that would cause aluminum to corrode.
Ford Antifreeze
The next of the best antifreeze options is a Ford product, VC-3-B Orange concentrated antifreeze/coolant. Naturally, you’re going to run into the same issues with the previous two products because this is an OEM product.
Ford is a household name, and its OEM product is marketed to its buyers. Their product warns about mixing different types and colors of coolant, as they may not work well together.
This product does have a bittering agent as well to protect pets. And the manufacturer claims it prevents water from freezing down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mopar Antifreeze
Mopar makes the next of the best antifreeze products, the product number is 68048953AB. Though a coolant leak would negate the claim, Mopar says this product will last either 5 years or 100,000 miles.
Though most Dodge owners may already know, this is an OEM coolant product for Dodge and Mopar automobiles (Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram).
Mopar is also sold in gallon jugs and is perfect for your American muscle.
This manufacturer also adds bittering to prevent pet poisoning.
Ravenol Antifreeze
Ravenol makes another best antifreeze product, J4D2000 OTC C12+, a great alternative to OEM products, it’s not a manufacturer’s name-brand however, it does have formal factory Volkswagen and Audi approval as well as Mercedes Benz.
Perfect for anyone driving one of those makes, the manufacturer does not dilute this product and sells it in a 1.5-liter container. They claim it offers protection up to -34F. Be sure that you dilute this product properly.
It is also free of phosphates, silicates, nitrites, and amine, and is a G12 coolant.
Zerex Antifreeze
Zerex Asian Vehicles Silicate and Borate free antifreeze stands behind its customers. We liked that Zerex offers a guarantee of 5 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first).
Also, this product comes premixed with demineralized water, and it is a silicate-free phosphate HOAT coolant. We also liked that it has a bittering agent to make it less tempting for pets too. Ford, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi owners will want to consider this product, but many others may find it fits the bill, too.
This antifreeze meets the following specifications: JIS K 2234-1994, Hyundai/KIA MS 591-08, Mitsubishi ES-64217, Ford WSS-M97B55-A, ASTM 3306, ASTM D4985, Federal Specification A-A-870A
Genuine Antifreeze
Genuine makes the next offering, 0272 SLLC2, and claims that its product has a super long life. Like most other best antifreeze products, Genuine sells theirs in a one-gallon unit.
This coolant is approved for Toyota and Lexus models, though you can use it with other brands. Also, note that you don’t need to add water because it comes premixed with 50 percent water.
This pink coolant also has a bittering agent to protect pets.
Peak Antifreeze
PEAK manufactures PRAB53 and sells it in a gallon-sized container, this listing is for a two-pack. The manufacturer advises not to add water because it comes as a premixed solution too.
And the manufacturer included denatonium benzoate as a bittering agent to discourage animals from drinking it.
Furthermore, the manufacturer claims this product will not void a vehicle warranty, and that you can use it in any make and model of automobile.
MaxLife Valvoline Antifreeze
MaxLife makes the tenth and final best antifreeze solution, part number 719005. This product is priced only slightly higher than average.
We found it interesting that the product contains Alugard Plus, which the previous models lacked. Alugard Plus is a special additive that provides enhanced protection for the longevity of engine components.
This product is also useful for all makes and models of vehicles, and it has a long life formula. In addition, the manufacturer has a 5-year or 150,000-mile protection guarantee.
And it is pre-diluted with water, so you can throw it in your trunk and use it straight from the container without needing to add water. Or purchase the full-strength formula to stay on-budget.
Positive reviews for this product claim that it’s was worth the extra money and that it was a high-quality coolant.
Maximizing Mileage on Your RV with the Best Antifreeze
It’s better to have antifreeze on hand and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Instead of risking an overheated engine when you least expect it, you can protect your peace of mind on your next RV road trip with the best coolant.
If you have any personal experience with a particular brand or a story about coolant leaks, please share your thoughts below.
Last update on 2023-05-06 at 08:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API