WHO IS USING NITRITE-FREE HEAVY DUTY ENGINE COOLANTS AND WHY?

Specifications to Consider
Engine coolants for heavy-duty use must meet ASTM D6210 for heavy-duty use. A true D6210 test includes the John Deere Cavitation Test (ASTM D7583) that ensures that the nitrite-free engine coolant does not cause pitting and cavitation in wet-sleeve or replaceable piston liners.

​MAXTECH® HD Engine Coolants meet D6210 performance test and is safe for use in all heavy-duty diesel engines.

Why is it Red?
The American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) in it’s recommended practices (RP365) has proposed guidelines for the color of engine coolants based on formulation in attempts to standardize and prevent confusion. Conventional, EG-based, low silicate coolants are recommended to be green; fully formulated, EG-based coolants are recommended to be pink/purple; and organic acid technologies (OAT) are recommended to be red.
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What the OEM's are Stating

Detroit Diesel DDC-SVC-BRO-0002 2015: “Detroit has found that ELC’s containing nitrite may lead to a breakdown of the coolant and subsequent damage to the cooling system. Nitrite Organic Acid Technology (NOAT) must not be used in Detroit engines because with poor maintenance components become more vulnerable."

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Cummins: SU1403 - “Some OAT coolants do not need nitrite and/or molybdates for liner pitting.” Cummins manufacturers their own NF OAT.
Cummins LT36442; March 31, 2015: Conventional coolants will have the highest total cost of ownership and can cost up to ten times more than premium ELC coolants over the life of a vehicle.” “The preferred method of manufacturing aluminum radiators uses a process that can introduce contamination into a system and cause corrosion. OAT coolants are typically more robust for protecting against this type of contamination than are nitrited OAT (NOAT), hybrid, or conventional coolants"

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Volvo Genuine Parts offers two engine coolants. One is a conventional, fully-formulated, pre-charged coolant and the other is a nitrite-free extended life formulation. With the acquisition of Mack in 2000, Volvo is heavily influencing Mack’s move into nitrite free extended life coolants and late model Mack engines are factory filled with a nitrite-free extended life coolant in on-highway trucks. Mack may still use a conventional coolant in vocational vehicles such as dump trucks and garbage trucks.

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Navistar: “Because nitrites cause corrosion to aluminum cooling systems, 2010 emissions compliant Maxxforce 11 & 13 engines come equipped with nitrite-free coolant standard."

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