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The Daily Insight

What kind of coolant does a Volvo s60 take?

Author

Emma Newman

Updated on February 25, 2026

Use ready-mixed coolant as recommended by Volvo. If concentrated liquid is used, make sure that the ratio is 50 % coolant to 50 % water of an approved quality. Do not mix different coolants.

Similarly, you may ask, what type of coolant does Volvo use?

De-ionized water

I've personally always used VOLVO coolant for my VOLVO and VW coolant for my VW (or PentoFrost for the VW is okay).

Also Know, does it really matter what coolant I use? Yes, antifreeze type matters. Your owner's manual will tell you which type to use in your Taurus. You can buy premixed (50/50) or mix it yourself, but that's not what's important. The type and color of the antifreeze are what matters, and you can't mix types together.

Also Know, what color is Volvo coolant?

It's vital to understand that color doesn't matter. While most Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants are usually orange, yellow, red or purple, Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) coolants are orange and yellow.

Can you put any type of coolant in your car?

There are varieties for every type of vehicle, from diesel engines to American, Asian and European vehicles. Each one is specifically formulated to keep its designated engine type running in extreme temperatures. It's important to know the differences so you get the correct antifreeze for your vehicle.

Related Question Answers

Do I have to use Volvo coolant?

Always use coolant with anti-corrosion agent as recommended by Volvo. Only new coolant should be used when replacing major cooling system components to ensure the system has sufficient corrosion protection. A high content of chlorine, chlorides and other salts may cause corrosion in the cooling system.

Does the coolant color matter?

The truth is, color is not a reliable predictor for what type of coolant you have. For example, OAT coolants are usually orange, yellow, red or purple. HOAT coolants are orange and yellow for the most part. Coolants that manufacturers sell can confuse matters even more, like Honda's blue coolant.

How do I add coolant to my Volvo s60?

How to Add Coolant: Volvo S60 (2011-2018)
  1. Getting Started - Prepare for the repair.
  2. Open the Hood - How to pop the hood and prop it open.
  3. Find Reservoir - Locate the coolant reservoir and clean it.
  4. Check Level - Determine the coolant level.
  5. Add Coolant - Determine coolant type and add fluid properly.
  6. Replace Cap - Secure the coolant reservoir cap.

What happens if you use the wrong coolant?

Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages; this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator. Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket.

Can I use green coolant instead of orange?

Can You Mix Orange and Green Antifreeze? It's never a good idea to mix two different colors or types of antifreeze. Mixing two formulas won't cause any dangerous reactions or explosions, but it could turn your coolant into a sludgy chemical mixture that won't be able to flow properly through your cooling system.

Is it bad to mix coolant brands?

The two coolants should never be mixed together as they do not react well. When mixed together they can form a thick, jelly-like substance that can completely stop all coolant flow which can lead to overheating.

What is the best coolant for a diesel engine?

Zerex G-05

Can I use green coolant instead of blue?

You can mix IOAT (red,gm-yellow,ford-blue,honda-etc) and OAT (green) coolant. Once you do that though you have to start following the service schedule for the oat (green) coolant. which is about every 2 years. The difference in the coolants is the additives they have in them.

Can I mix pink and blue coolant?

Part of this also includes making sure that you have enough antifreeze in your car. The last thing you want is for your engine to overheat. These days you can actually get yellow antifreeze, blue antifreeze, pink antifreeze and more. The fact is, mixing these liquids is not safe.

Can you mix different coolant brands?

Combining two different types of antifreeze will lessen its corrosive properties. It is easy to flush out the engine coolant in the car's cooling system, and antifreeze is inexpensive. So it is better to refill the system with a new one rather than combining two different types of antifreeze.

What color should coolant be?

green

What is the difference between the colors of antifreeze?

While green coolant is often thought of as traditional or conventional and the color orange is associated with the newer long-life products, there are no hard-and-fast color rules when it comes to engine coolants. All will help keep the cooling system from both overheating and freezing.

What type of coolant does my car need?

For most vehicles, a glycol based antifreeze coolant is the best type of coolant to be used in any vehicle radiator. However, using the glycol based antifreeze alone is usually not a good idea. In most cases, you will need to mix the glycol based antifreeze with a certain amount of water.

How do I know which coolant to put in my car?

Your car's owner's manual provides a wealth of information. It will tell you what type of coolant is best to use in your vehicle. If you don't have a copy of your owner's manual, you can most likely find the information you need online.

What engine coolant does my car need?

Check your owner manual. It will usually specify the sort of antifreeze you need to use, and by extension, the sort of coolant. Talk to your car dealership or visit a dealership that specialises in your model. They'll likely sell coolants that are specifically designed for your car.

Can I mix pink and green coolant?

You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever.

Is coolant same as antifreeze?

Well, antifreeze and engine coolant are similar, but not the same. Antifreeze is a concentrated, glycol-based liquid that must be diluted with water before use – at which point it is referred to as coolant. Engine coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water, with a common ratio of 50:50.

Can I put water in my coolant?

Your car's cooling system needs coolant to keep it from overheating. Although water can be added to the radiator for this purpose, it's preferable to add a mixture of coolant and water because plain water can boil before the proper coolant will boil, causing your engine to overheat [source: pontiac].

Can you mix pink and purple coolant?

The purple and above pink Vw coolant are interchangeable and can be mixed.

Can you mix pink and orange coolant?

You can mix them only if they're both ethylene glycol. If they're not, the coolant will sludge up and cause tons of issues.

Can the wrong coolant cause overheating?

The wrong coolant or the wrong mixture of coolant and distilled water can cause your vehicle to overheat. Coolant actually becomes corrosive over time, accelerating the wear on the cooling system!

How often should I change my coolant?

every 30,000 miles

Does my coolant reservoir need to be full?

The coolant reservoir is a vital component of the cooling system. Its function is to store excess coolant fluid until required. While the engine is off, your coolant reservoir should be about 30% full. The most common reason for a vehicle to overheat is a leak in the coolant reservoir or one of the attached hoses.

Do coolant additives work?

A good coolant additive can help by reducing the surface tension of water and allowing it to more efficiently absorb and transfer heat from the engine.

How much coolant does my car need when empty?

You should have between 1 1/2 and 2 gallons in the fluid bucket or catch basin. Be sure the radiator cap has been removed which will help you get most of the coolant out if the system. Then tighten the drain plug or reinstall the lower radiator hose. To flush the cooling system refill the radiator with plain water.

How long does coolant last in a car?

Depending on the vehicle and the coolant, the average time between flushes is two years or 30,000 miles for silicated coolants and up to five years or 100,000 miles for an extended drain coolant. You can tell which type of coolant you have by the color.