KEEPING YOUR COOL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER ENGINE COOLANT

When it comes to engine coolants (aka, antifreeze), one size does NOT fit all. You can’t simply walk into your neighborhood auto parts store and grab the first product labeled “antifreeze-coolant.” It doesn’t work that way. These days, different manufacturers prescribe different blends of engine coolants for their different makes and models. Land Rover is no exception.

To further confound the issue, there are three types of coolants to choose from–including organic (OAT), inorganic (IAT) and a hybrid of the two (HOAT). Even color makes a difference, with red, blue, orange, yellow, green, or purple each denoting a specific blend. An OAT coolant, which is what most Land Rovers use, is best for the environment.

Needless-to-say, your Land Rover will perform at its peak for many years when properly serviced at the recommended intervals. When regular maintenance is performed by a trained and certified Land Rover mechanic, you needn’t worry about which coolant blend is right for your particular model. We do it for you.

Under normal driving conditions, it is a good idea to schedule a coolant flush every two years, or 30,000 miles. Still, should you need to add coolant between flushes, here are the steps you should take to do it safely and properly:

CHECKING THE LEVEL:

– Before checking the coolant level in your Land Rover, ALWAYS make sure the engine is turned off and allowed to cool completely. Then, taking care to wear gloves and protective eyewear, gently unscrew the cap on the coolant tank—which is translucent and plastic and usually located forward in the engine compartment. A normal reading will show the coolant level somewhere between the “Min” and “Max” lines etched into the side of the tank.
It’s important to note that your car’s coolant level is meant to remain a constant. Thus, if it suddenly drops below “Min,” you should probably visit an authorized service center to determine why it is losing coolant.

In the meantime, you can add coolant yourself until it reaches the “Max” mark again.

ADDING COOLANT:

– Before adding coolant, ALWAYS refer to your Land Rover owner’s manual for the recommended blend—usually 50% water with 50% coolant. Never add a greater proportion of coolant than instructed, as a stronger concentration does NOT mean greater performance and may actually do harm to your engine.

Please note: When diluting coolant, distilled water is preferred over tap water, which contains minerals that may harm the car’s cooling system.

• ALWAYS read the product label carefully as some coolants are pre-mixed with water when you buy them; while others need water added before using. For most Land Rovers, that will mean a 1:1 ratio (50% water to 50% coolant). But there are certain Land Rovers—including full size Range Rovers built between 2003 and 2005—that require a G48 coolant. (Another good reason to read your owner’s manual carefully.)
• If instructed to dilute the coolant, ALWAYS do the mixing before pouring the finished blend into your coolant reservoir. Never add coolant that hasn’t been properly diluted.
• ALWAYS make sure the coolant you use meets Jaguar-Land Rover Specification STJLR.651.5003.

Two that we found in an online search include Havoline XLC (recommended by name in the owner’s manuals for several Land Rover models) and Pentofrost SF.