Oil and Chemicals

A chemical (usually Ethylene glycol) added to the cooling system to prevent the coolant from freezing in cold weather. It also inhibits the formation of rust and other deposits which may clog the Radiator and other cooling passageways. Its resistance to freezing is better with a mix of 50-50 with water than 100% antifreeze. Polygard Ant-Freeze and Summer Coolant can be kept in the cooling system throughout the year to maintain maximum protection and is suitable for all engines, including aluminium.

Bangor Autopatts stock the Polygard brand of Brake and Clutch Cleaner. This cleaner is specially formulated to be fast-drying while suppressing harmful dust from brake and clutch linings.

A special fluid used in Hydraulic brake systems to stop or slow the vehicle. Never use something else in place of regular fluid. There are four types of brake fluid on the market:

DOT 3
This Brake fluid has a glycol base. It is clear or light amber in color. Its dry boiling point is 205°C minimum and wet boiling point of 140°C minimum. It will absorb 1 to 2 percent of water per year depending on climate and operating conditions. It is used in most domestic cars and light trucks in normal driving. It does not require cleaning the system and it can be mixed with DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 without damage to the system. The problem with it is that it absorbs moisture out of the air and thereby reduces its boiling point. It can also damage the paint on a vehicle.

DOT 4
This Brake fluid has a borate ester base. It is clear or light amber in color. Its dry boiling point is 230°C minimum and wet boiling point of 155°C minimum. It is used in many European cars; also for vehicles in high-altitude, towing, or high-speed braking situations, or ABS systems. It does not require cleaning the system and it can be mixed with DOT 3 without damage to the system. The problem with it is that it absorbs moisture out of the air and thereby reduces its boiling point. It can also damage the paint on a vehicle.

DOT 5
This brake fluid generally has a silicone base. It is violet in color. Its dry boiling point is 260°C minimum and has no wet boiling point in federal DOT 5 Specifications. It is used in heavy brake applications, and good for weekend, antique, or collector cars that sit for long periods and are never driven far. It does not mix with DOT 3, DOT 4, or DOT 5.1. It will not absorb water and will not damage the paint on a vehicle. It is also compatible with most rubber formulations. The problem with it is that it may easily get air bubbles into the system which are nearly impossible to remove, giving poor pedal feel. It is unsuitable for racing due to compressibility under high temperatures. If as little as one drop of water enters the fluid, severe localized corrosion, freezing, or gassing may occur. This can happen because water is heavier and not mixable with silicone fluids. It is unsuitable for ABS.

DOT 5.1
This Brake fluid has a borate ester base. It is clear or light amber in color. Its dry boiling point is 260°C minimum and wet boiling point of 180°C minimum. It is used in severe-duty vehicles such as fleets and delivery trucks; towing vehicles, and race cars. It can be mixed with DOT 3 or DOT 4 without damage to the system. It maintains higher boiling point than DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluids due to its higher borate ester content. It is excellent for severe duty applications. The problem with it is that it costs more than other fluids and there is limited availability. It also absorbs moisture out of the air and thereby reduces its boiling point. It can also damage the paint on a vehicle.

A liquid or spray which is applied to the windshield to assist in removing ice. Bangor Autoparts stock the Concentrated Sub-Zero Formula De-Icer from Polygard. This fast-acting product removes frost from glass and reduces re-freezing, with non-smear results.

Deionized water is a type of purified water with mineral ions (salts) removed. These mineral ions include sodium, calcium, iron, copper, chloride, and bromide. Deionized water is created by taking conventional water and exposing it to electrically charged resins that attract and bind to the salts, removing them from the water. Deionized water is used for topping up batteries.

A substance that lubricates and cools the moving parts of the engine and reduces the formation of rust and corrosion. It contains additives which fights the corrosion of bearings, keeps small particles in suspension, reduces engine wear, and reduces oxidization, minimizes carbon and gum formation. Oil comes in varying viscosity weights suitable for efficient operation in cold and hot weather and for engines in varying states of wear.

POLYGARD Arctic Screenwash is formulated to clean whilst protecting against ice formation on the windscreen down to minus 40 degrees C when used neat. It is suitable for year around use and contains a unique blend of detergents and additives to remove grime, traffic film and insect debris even when used under summer conditions at a dilution of 1:15 in clean water. It is available from Bangor Autoparts in 5 and I litre containers.