“Vehicles do more effort during long-distance driving. To avoid automobile breakdowns or mishaps in the middle of the road and guarantee that they are in good condition this summer season, owners should inspect their components and fluids, particularly BLOCBAGETS—meaning Brakes, Lights, Oil, Coolant, Battery, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires, and Self. In addition, vehicle owners should make this practice a habit whenever they are about to take a journey, long or short, to prevent road accidents,” said Monique Gonzales, Marketing Manager for Southeast Asia at Clorox International Philippines, Inc.

And with temperatures now hovering close to 40 degrees Celsius, keeping your engine running at the optimal temperature is key to smooth driving experience. With that in mind, Prestone is reminding motorists on the different kinds of coolants available in the market.

The colors dictate what properties these coolants have, particularly its chemical make-up. As a rule of thumb, if it’s Green, it uses Phosphate Organic Acid Technology (POAT), if its Red/Pink, it uses Organic Acid Technology (OAT), and if it’s Blue, it uses Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT). Having said that, different coolant brands could use different colors, so don’t be surprised to see shades like Yellow, Orange, or even Purple pop up.

Color confusion aside, there’s also a hidden danger lurking here as you’re not supposed to be mixing the wrong coolants together; doing so can cause radiator or cooling system damage. It’s imperative that you read your owner’s manual to find out what sort of coolant you’ll need.

However, for those who need a quick top-up, Prestone’s helping take the guesswork out with this handy guide when it comes to their Prestone Asian Coolants line:

• Blue: for all Honda & Acura, Nissan 2009 and newer, Infiniti 2009 and newer, and Subaru 2009 and newer.
• Red/Pink: for all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles; makes, models, years & fluid colors.
• Green: for all Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Mitsubishi; Suzuki older than 2010; Nissan older than 2009; Infiniti older than 2009; and Subaru older than 2009.

And when in doubt, there’s even a handy chart at the back of each container to see whether your vehicle’s make and year model is compatible with a particular type of coolant. Plus, because it comes pre-diluted, it can be poured straight into your radiator without having to purchase a separate bottle of distilled or de-ionized water.

The Prestone Asian Coolants line is available at their partner stores and auto supply shops nationwide such as Ace Hardware and Blade. You can also purchase them straight online via Prestone’s Official Lazada and Shopee stores.