ASTM D4985-03 - 10.9.2003
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for low silicate ethylene glycol base engine coolants for cooling systems of heavy-duty engines. When concentrates are used at 40 to 60 % concentration by volume in water, or when prediluted glycol base engine coolants (50 volume % minimum) are used without further dilution, they will function effectively to provide protection against corrosion, freezing to at least -37°C (-34°F), and boiling to at least 108°C (226°F).

Note 1—This specification is based on the knowledge of the performance of engine coolants prepared from new or virgin ingredients. A separate specification exists (D 6210) for heavy-duty engine coolants which may be prepared from recycled or reprocessed used coolant or reprocessed industrial-source ethylene glycol.

1.2 Coolants meeting this specification require an initial charge of a supplemental coolant additive (SCA) and require regular maintenance doses of an SCA to continue the protection in certain operating heavy-duty engine cooling systems, particularly those of the wet cylinder liner-in-block design. The SCA additions are defined by and are the primary responsibility of the engine manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer. If they provide no instructions, follow the SCA supplier's recommended instructions.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D2570-26

Standard Test Method for Simulated Service Corrosion Testing of Engine Coolants

D516-22

Standard Test Method for Sulfate Ion in Water

D512-23

Standard Test Methods for Chloride Ion In Water

D1122-22

Standard Test Method for Relative Density of Engine Coolant Concentrates and Engine Coolants By The Hydrometer

D1121-25

Standard Test Methods for Reserve Alkalinity of Engine Coolants and Antirusts

D1120-26

Standard Test Method for Boiling Point of Engine Coolants

D1119-22(2026)

Standard Test Method for Percent Ash Content of Engine Coolants

D1123-22a(2026)

Standard Test Methods for Water in Engine Coolant Concentrate by the Karl Fischer Reagent Method (Includes all amendments and changes 8/7/2026).

D2809-21

Standard Test Method for Cavitation Corrosion and Erosion-Corrosion Characteristics of Aluminum Pumps With Engine Coolants

D1882-17(2025)

Standard Test Method for Effect of Cooling System Chemical Solutions on Organic Finishes for Automotive Vehicles

D1881-24

Standard Test Method for Foaming Tendencies of Engine Coolants in Glassware

D1384-24

Standard Test Method for Corrosion Test for Engine Coolants in Glassware

D1293-18

Standard Test Methods for pH of Water

D1287-25

Standard Test Method for pH of Engine Coolants and Antirusts

D1177-22(2026)

Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aqueous Engine Coolants

D1126-17(2025)

Standard Test Method for Hardness in Water

D6210-25

Standard Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines

D6130-24

Standard Test Method for Determination of Silicon and Other Elements in Engine Coolant by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

D6129-97(2025)

Standard Test Method for Silicon in Engine Coolant Concentrates by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

D5931-20(2025)

Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density of Engine Coolant Concentrates and Aqueous Engine Coolants by Digital Density Meter

D5827-22

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Engine Coolant for Chloride and Other Anions by Ion Chromatography

D4725-25a

Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants and Related Fluids (Includes all amendments and changes 6/10/2025).

D4327-17(2025)

Standard Test Method for Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion Chromatography

D3634-21(2025)

Standard Test Method for Trace Chloride Ion in Engine Coolants

D3306-21

Standard Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service

E394-22

Standard Test Method for Iron in Trace Quantities Using the 1,10-Phenanthroline Method

E1177-23

Standard Specification for Engine Coolant Grade Glycol

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

D6660-01(2023)

Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aqueous Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolants by Automatic Phase Transition Method

Federal Method 2540B

Total Dissolved Solids Dried at 103-105C