Valvoline introduced a range of antifreeze coolants. Deepti Thore looks at the proposition of even operating temperatures in extreme drive conditions.

A vehicle is dependent on various lubricants to stay up and running. Coolants are crucial here! Here again, the breed of an antifreeze coolant is deemed quintessential for extreme temperatures to help the vehicle keep an even temperature when operational. Like most fluids in a vehicle that needs to be drained and replaced at regular intervals in order to function, the coolant levels need to be monitored periodically and checked at least twice a year—before the summers and the winters. To address the need of optimising engine performance in such varied and extreme climatic conditions, Valvoline offers a range of Antifreeze engine coolants for different duty cycles. The Cummins JV partner recently made its presence felt at the concluded Excon 2K21.

The most common variety of liquid antifreeze is an IAT coolant formula or Inorganic Additive Technology. ZEREX™ Original Green, a type of IAT coolant, is claimed to be a decade-old, proven formula aimed at corrosion resistance. Another common antifreeze formula is Dex-Cool®, a coolant formula approved for use in GM vehicles. The ZEREX™ Dex-Cool coolant also complies with multiple industry specifications to make for a wider acceptance. Contrary to green coloured base, the base of the latter is distinguished by its orange sheen. The good part is that the new generation coolants can also be used in older generation vehicles by using special additives available in the market. Solutions like AlugardPlus® are widely available. In other products, Zerex™ G-05™ which is of HOAT (Hybrid OAT) is a silicate coolant distinguished by a yellow sheen. The ZEREX™ G-48 Hybrid OAT (HOAT) is phosphate-free and turquoise in colour. ZEREX™ Asian Vehicle Phosphated HOAT (P-HOAT) is available in either a blue or pink base while the ZEREX™ G-40, another silicate variant HOAT(Si-OAT) has a purple hue. The company also recently introduced an advanced, Glycol-based full-antifreeze coolant claimed to generate a high cooling formulation that offers extra-long service life and superior corrosion resistance.

Antifreeze coolants like conventional coolants have a 50:50 mix of a specially formulated solution diluted with water. The chemical ethylene glycol is known to be used as a base to create a liquid. As the ambient temperature switches from hot to cold or vice versa, the coolant is pumped throughout the engine block to maintain an even operating temperature. Antifreeze does more than just regulate temperature contrary to popular notion. It also aids in the maintenance of a corrosion-free environment when maintained at optimal levels. Some of the directly known use cases include keeping the radiation from freezing or overheating. Valvoline offers a variety of coolants and caters to diverse markets like American, Asian and European, from motorcycles to passenger vehicles to commercial vehicles (including solutions for Agri and off-highway segments). Each can of coolant is formulated to keep its designated engine type optimally operational.

While the company continues to develop different formulations to fill the white spaces, there is a threat of acquisition looming large. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Saudi state oil giant Aramco is eyeing the acquisition of Valvoline’s lubricants business which also includes the antifreeze coolant range. The company, in 2021, hinted at wanting to separate its profitable, retails business from the global operations business. Beyond Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), the company is also known to be gearing up to meet the demands of e-mobility as per recent revelations by Sandeep Kalia, Managing Director at Valvoline Cummins Pvt. Ltd. Earlier this year, it piloted its EV services in the U.S. at its retail stores as a testimony. In line with the vision to extend state-of-the-art prognosis as a service solution to owners, OEMs and fleet operators. These services extend to a battery replacement, tyre rotations, cabin air filter replacement, wiper replacement and safety inspections in phase one of the strategy to establish itself as the numero uno supplier of fluids to EVs. In Asian markets, the company in partnership with Shanghai-based car maintenance service provider Tuhu is already catering to hybrid, plug-in hybrid and BEVs. XEV is the suite of Valvoline motor oil, battery protection fluid, transmission and brake fluids. These strategic moves came in the wake of the company anticipating a market shift!