With the winter servicing season upon us, Comma reminds distributors that there are now three distinctly different technologies for contemporary coolants, and that each one is very ‘engine specific’ in its application. It means that vehicles have to be re-filled or topped up with exactly the same type of OE coolant technology that went in as original, factory-fill. All three coolant technologies required to service modern vehicles are included in Comma’s range of manufacturer-approved Xstream® with BASF Glysantin® coolants.

“Traditional, commodity antifreeze no longer meets the strict criteria for contemporary vehicles; it was superseded almost twenty years ago by advanced, all-seasons coolants that vehicle manufacturers specify to provide vital, year round protection against corrosion and erosion to the many different metals and other materials the fluid contacts throughout engine and cooling systems,” says Comma Sales & Marketing Director, Mike Bewsey.

Mike points out that more than 25 million new passenger cars and LCVs have been registered in the UK since 1998. “That’s a huge potential market for distributors to supply workshops with the correct, high margin products for winter servicing,” says Mike, “because all these vehicles need a contemporary coolant with the robust protection levels required to comply with vehicle manufacturers’ approvals or recommendations.” But distributors must also alert technicians to be on their guard against misapplication, he adds, because the VMs differ in their views about which type of coolant technology to recommend for their models. “The reality today is that the coolants application landscape has become just as specific as engine oils. Today, no single coolant technology is suitable for all makes and models,” he says. “Distributors have an important role to play in educating the market by giving reliable applications advice and selling the right products.”

 

Currently in the UK, OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolants such as Comma’s Xstream G30® dominate with around 70% of market sales. Silicate Technology coolants such as Comma’s Xstream G48® account for 24% market share, with the balance in Silicated Organic Acid Technology (SiOAT) products such as Comma’s Xstream G40® which is specific to all VW Group models – Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Volkswagen, Bentley, Lamborghini – from 2005 onwards.

Comma Xstream® coolants all have either a 3 or 5 year full service life, but with such extended service intervals, it’s easy for workshops to overlook when replacement is due. Comma therefore applies peel-off ‘Next Service Due’ stickers on all 5ltr and 20ltr Xstream® packs to remind technicians and their customers when renewal time approaches.

Comma has also produced the latest version of its popular Xstream® reception/waiting room poster for workshops to reassure their customers that the correct, manufacturer-approved and quality guaranteed coolant is being used to service and provide year-round protection for their vehicle.

All Comma Xstream® coolants carry Comma’s unique 100% Quality & Performance Guarantee. For comprehensive, totally accurate and instant coolants application data for all UK registered passenger cars and LCVs, use the online VRN look-up facility at www.commaoil.com