AMSOIL guide
Non-Toxic Antifreeze Guide
"Non-toxic antifreeze" almost always means a coolant built around propylene glycol (PG) instead of ethylene glycol (EG). PG is dramatically less toxic to mammals than EG, which is the antifreeze that has the sweet taste pets find attractive and the kidney-failure pathway that makes a few teaspoons fatal to a cat. AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant (ANT) delivers freeze protection to -34°F and boil-over protection to 265°F with a 15-psi cap, with PG in place of EG. Pick it for pet households, classic cars in the garage, hot-rod garages where kids visit, and drag-racing pits where spills are routine.
Shop AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze
PG vs EG: the toxicity difference
Conventional automotive antifreeze uses ethylene glycol (EG) as the base. EG has a sweet taste that attracts cats and dogs to lick spilled puddles. Once ingested, EG metabolizes into oxalic acid, which crystallizes in the kidneys and causes acute kidney failure. As little as a few teaspoons can kill a cat. The same dose in a small dog is comparably dangerous.
Propylene glycol (PG) is the same family of compound chemically but does not metabolize into oxalic acid in mammals. PG has a vastly lower oral toxicity (it is GRAS-listed by the FDA at food-additive concentrations and is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals). PG-based antifreeze is not totally non-toxic, but it has a wide enough safety margin that the term "non-toxic antifreeze" is the common shorthand. AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant is engineered to that target.
When PG antifreeze is the right pick
- Households with pets. Cats and dogs investigate spilled fluid in driveways and garages.
- Classic cars and hot rods that get worked on at home. Spills happen during a drain-and-refill; PG buys a much wider safety margin.
- Drag racing and weekend track use. Pits where spills are routine and where neighborhood pets and kids may be present.
- Around farms and rural properties where wildlife (raccoons, opossums, livestock) might find a puddle of stored or spilled coolant.
How to clean an antifreeze spill safely
Block off pets and kids from the area.
Move animals indoors or behind a closed gate before you start cleanup.
Soak up the liquid with absorbent material.
Paper towels, kitty litter, sand, or sawdust all work. Bag the absorbent material in a sealed plastic bag.
Wash the surface with soapy water.
Rinse with plenty of clean water. Antifreeze residue on concrete, asphalt, or garage floor can stay attractive to pets long after the spill looks dry.
Dispose of the bag through household hazardous waste.
Used coolant of either chemistry (PG or EG) should be recycled, not poured down a drain or onto the ground.
Match the coolant to the vehicle spec
"Non-toxic" is a chemistry choice (PG vs EG), not a vehicle spec. The vehicle spec is still about chemistry family (OAT, HOAT, NOAT, NAP-free) and OEM approval. Verify your owner's manual lists PG-based coolant as approved before switching, especially on European applications where the OEM may specifically require EG-based coolant.
For the full chemistry breakdown across AMSOIL's full coolant lineup (Passenger Car & Light Truck, Heavy-Duty, Powersports, and Propylene Glycol), see the AMSOIL coolant guide.
Bottom line: should you switch to non-toxic antifreeze?
- Pet household, hot-rod garage, or kid-frequented driveway. Pick AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze (also online from AMSOIL).
- Modern car or light truck with no pets and OEM-spec coolant required. Pick AMSOIL Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant; see the coolant guide.
- Diesel pickup or fleet truck. Pick AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Antifreeze & Coolant.
- Snowmobile, ATV, motorcycle, UTV liquid-cooled engine. Pick AMSOIL Powersports Antifreeze & Coolant.
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Non-toxic antifreeze FAQ
Is propylene glycol antifreeze actually non-toxic?
Propylene glycol is dramatically less toxic than ethylene glycol but it is not zero toxicity. PG is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA at low concentrations and is used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. As an engine coolant it has a much wider safety margin around pets and kids, but spills should still be cleaned up promptly and used coolant should still be recycled responsibly.
Why is ethylene glycol antifreeze dangerous to pets?
Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts cats and dogs to lick spilled puddles. Once ingested, EG metabolizes into oxalic acid, which crystallizes in the kidneys and causes acute kidney failure. As little as a few teaspoons can kill a cat. Propylene glycol does not metabolize the same way and has a vastly lower oral toxicity in mammals.
Does propylene glycol antifreeze cool as well as ethylene glycol?
Within the temperatures a typical street vehicle actually sees, yes. AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant delivers freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C) and boil-over protection to 265°F (129°C) with a 15-psi radiator cap. PG has slightly lower thermal conductivity than EG, which is why it is less common in extreme-duty motorsports applications where every BTU counts.
Can I switch from ethylene glycol to propylene glycol?
Yes. Drain the existing EG coolant, flush the cooling system thoroughly with distilled water, and refill with AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze. Do not mix EG and PG long-term; the mixed coolant works but does not deliver the full toxicity reduction PG is bought for.
How do I clean an antifreeze spill safely?
Block off pets and kids from the area. Soak up the liquid with absorbent material (paper towel, kitty litter, or sand), bag the absorbent material, and wash the surface with soapy water. Dispose of the bag through a household hazardous waste program. Used coolant of either type should be recycled, not poured down the drain or onto the ground.
Is propylene glycol antifreeze approved for my vehicle?
Most modern OEMs accept either PG or EG-based coolant as long as the chemistry family (OAT, HOAT) matches the spec. Verify with your owner's manual; some European applications specifically require EG-based coolant for warranty coverage.
Order AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze
Order online from AMSOIL's Propylene Glycol Antifreeze product page. To unlock up to 25% off, add an AMSOIL Preferred Customer membership to the same cart and qualifying products switch to member pricing immediately, with no separate sign-up step.