When it comes to engine protection, coolant is not just a colored liquid — it is a critical thermal management fluid. Unfortunately, in many markets, extremely low-cost “coolants” are being sold that are formulated using glycerin instead of proper glycol-based chemistry.

They may look like genuine coolant — bright in color, thick in texture — but internally, they perform very differently and can seriously damage your engine.

If you care about engine life, radiator protection, and overheating prevention, this is something you must understand.

What Is Glycerin?

Glycerin (also known as glycerol) is a thick, sweet, water-soluble liquid widely used in:

• Cosmetics

• Pharmaceutical products

• Food processing

• Personal care items

While glycerin has lubrication properties, it is not engineered for thermal management in automotive cooling systems. It lacks the essential chemical characteristics required for high-temperature engine performance.

Why Glycerin-Based Coolants Are Dangerous for Engines

1. Poor Heat Absorption & Heat Transfer Efficiency

The primary role of coolant is to:

• Absorb heat from the engine block

• Transfer it efficiently to the radiator

• Maintain stable operating temperature

Proper coolants use ethylene glycol or propylene glycol formulations, which are specifically designed for efficient heat transfer.

Glycerin, however, has:

• Lower thermal conductivity

• Slower heat dissipation

• Reduced cooling efficiency

Result:

• Engine heats up faster

• Increased risk of overheating

• Potential head gasket damage

• Higher long-term repair costs

2. High Viscosity Causes Flow Problems

Glycerin is significantly thicker than proper glycol-based coolant.

This leads to:

• Restricted flow through radiator channels

• Increased load on the water pump

• Reduced circulation at high RPM

• Poor cooling during heavy-duty operations

In commercial vehicles or high-load conditions, this can quickly become a serious issue.

3. Poor High-Temperature Stability

Inside an engine, temperatures fluctuate continuously.

Glycerin-based mixtures may:

• Thicken under high heat

• Degrade chemically

• Form sticky deposits

• Create internal scaling

Over time, this reduces:

• Radiator efficiency

• Heat exchange performance

• Cooling system lifespan

4. Lack of Proper Corrosion Protection

A genuine coolant contains advanced inhibitor technology that protects:

• Aluminum components

• Cast iron

• Copper

• Brass

• Steel

Cheap glycerin-based fluids often lack a proper corrosion inhibitor package.

This can lead to:

• Rust formation

• Radiator blockage

• Water pump seal damage

• Cavitation erosion

• Internal corrosion

Cooling systems are designed with multiple metals — without protection, damage begins internally and may not be visible until failure occurs.

5. Misleading Appearance & Low Price Trap

Many of these products:

• Come in bright colors (green, red, blue)

• Have similar viscosity to real coolant

• Are sold at extremely low prices

But color does not define performance.

True coolant performance depends on:

• Chemical base (glycol content)

• Thermal conductivity

• Boiling and freezing point stability

• Additive technology

• Corrosion protection package

A cheap coolant may save money initially — but can cost thousands in engine repairs later.

Glycol Coolant vs Glycerin-Based Cheap Coolant Comparison

Expert Insight: Coolant Is Engine Chemistry, Not Just Colored Liquid

Modern engines operate at high compression ratios and elevated temperatures. They demand precision-formulated coolant systems.

Using a fluid with poor thermal absorption:

• May not cause immediate failure

• But gradually damages internal components

• Reduces radiator life

• Increases maintenance frequency

Over time, the cost of using a cheap coolant becomes far greater than the initial savings.

Why Bharat Lubricants Coolant Is Better — And Why It Costs More

At Bharat Lubricants, coolant is not treated as a low-cost commodity — it is engineered as a high-performance thermal protection solution.

Bharat Lubricants uses premium-grade ethylene glycol base fluids combined with advanced corrosion inhibitor technology specifically designed to protect aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass, and steel components. The formulation is carefully balanced for:

• High thermal conductivity and efficient heat transfer

• Controlled viscosity for smooth circulation

• Long-life corrosion protection

• Anti-rust and anti-scale protection

• Water pump seal compatibility

• Cavitation resistance

• High boiling point and low freezing point stability

Unlike cheap glycerin-based mixtures, Bharat Lubricants coolant undergoes strict quality control and formulation standards. Higher-quality raw materials, inhibitor packages, and testing processes naturally increase production cost — but they significantly extend engine life and reduce long-term maintenance expenses.

You may pay slightly more upfront, but you save substantially on radiator repairs, water pump replacements, and overheating-related engine damage.

In coolant chemistry, cheaper is rarely better — and protection always has a value.

Final Thought

A coolant that only looks like coolant can never protect an engine.

True coolant performance comes from advanced chemistry — not color or low price.

Choosing the right coolant is not an expense — it is an investment in engine longevity, safety, and performance.