KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2489 : 2020  
ICS 43.060.30  
Second Edition  
  
 © KEBS 2020   
 Engine coolant — Specification   
 
 
 
 DKS 2489 : 2020  
ii © KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  
 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
ADS Africa  
BASF E.A.  
Beyond Borders  
Consumer Information Network  
CSI International Limited  
D.T. Dobie  
Diverse Management Consultancy Limited  
Geoscan Consultants  
Gulf Energy  
Heller Petroleum Limited  
IMCD Kenya  
Inspectorate E.A. Limited  
Intertek  
ISUZU E.A  
Kenol Kobil  
Kenya Accrediation Services  
Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited  
Kenya Power and Lighting Company  
Kurrent Technogies Limited  
Lacheka Lubricants Limited  
Lubricants  
National  Environment Management Authority  
National Oil Corporation of Kenya  
OLA Energy  
Optimum  
Petroleum Institute of East Africa  
Sepyana Oil E.A  
SGS  
Simba Corp Limited  
Supply Cor  
Synergy Lubricants  
Total K Limited  
Vivo Energ y  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secreta riat 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed.  Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome . 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2020 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of 2001 of  the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 25 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Sta ndards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any mea ns without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director.   KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2489 : 2020  
ICS 43.060.30  
Second  Edition  
 
© KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  iii 
  Engine coolant — Specification    
 
 
Kenya Bureau of Standards,  Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road,  
P.O. Box 54974 - 00200,  Nairobi, Kenya  
 +254 020 6948000, + 254 722202137, + 254 734600471  
 info@kebs.org  
 @KEBS_ke  
 kenya bureau of standards (kebs)  
  
DKS 2489 : 2020  
iv © KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Petroleum and Petroleum Products  Technical Committee under the 
guidance of the Standards Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau 
of Standards  
During the preparation of this standard, reference was ma de to the following document s: 
BS 6580: 1992 Specification for corrosion inhibiting, engine coolant concentrates (‘Antifreeze’).  
ASTM 6210 -17: Sta ndard spe cification for Fully F ormulated Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy duty 
engines           
ASTM 3306 -14: Standard specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automotive and Light duty  
service.  
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assi stance derived  from these  source s. 
 DKS 2489 : 2020  
© KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  v 
  Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
4.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  2 
4.2 Detailed requireme nts ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  3 
4.3 Other requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  6 
5 Packaging and marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
5.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 7 
5.2 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
Annex  A (informative)  Notes to users  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 8 
Annex  B (normative)  Sampling and compliance with this standard  ................................ ...................  9 
B.1 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9 
B.1.1   General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  9 
B.1.2   Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 9 
B.1.3   Samples for inspection and testing  ................................ ................................ ...........................  9 
B.2 Compliance with this standard  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 9 
B3  License to manufacture and distribute engine coolants ................................ .........................  9 
 
 KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2489: 2020  
 
© KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  1 
 Engine coolant — Specification  
 
1 Scope  
This Draft Kenya Standard specifies requirements for  glycol -type compounds which, when added at adequate 
concentrations to water in engine cooling systems, provide protection against  overheating, rust and  corrosion . 
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ASTM D 92 , Standard test method for flash and fire poin ts by Cleveland open cup tester  
ASTM  D380 , Standard test methods for rubber hose  
ASTM  D412 , Standard test methods for vulcani zed rubber and thermoplastic elastomers  — Tension  
ASTM  D471 , Standard test method for rubber property  — Effect of liquids  
ASTM D 1119 , Standard test method for percent ash content of engine coolants and antirust . 
ASTM D 1120 , Standard test method by boiling point of engine coolants  
ASTM D 1121 , Standard test method for reserve alkalinity of  engine coolants and antirust  
ASTM D 1122 , Standard test method for density or relative density of engine coolant concentrates and en gine 
coolants by the hydrometer  
ASTM D 1123 , Standard test methods for water in engine coolant concentrate by the Karl Fisc her reagent 
method  
ASTM D 1176 , Standard practice for sampling and preparing aqueous solutions of engine coolants or antirust 
for testing purposes  
ASTM D 1177 , Standard test method for freezing point of aqueous engine coolants  
ASTM D 1287 , Standard test me thod for pH of engine coolants and antirust  
ASTM D 1384 , Standard test method for corrosion test for engine coolants in glassware  
ASTM D 1881 , Standard test method for foaming tendencies of engine coolants  
ASTM D 2570 , Standard test method for simulated se rvice corrosion testing of engine coolants  
ASTM D 2809 , Standard test method for cavitation corrosion and erosion -corrosion characteristics of alum inum 
pumps with engine coolants  
ASTM D 4057 , Standard practice for manual sampling of petroleum products  
ASTM  D 4177 , Standard practice for automatic sampling of petroleum and petroleum products  DKS 2489 : 2020  
2 © KEBS: 2020 : – All rights reserved  
 ASTM D 4340 , Standard test method for corrosion of cast aluminum alloys in engine coolants under heat -
rejecting conditions  
ASTM E 202 , Standard test methods for analysis of ethylene glycols and propylene glycols  
IP 36 , Determination of open flash and fire point — Cleveland method  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document , the following terms and definitions apply.  
3.1 
engine coolant concentrate  
also known as antifreeze . A Glycol – type formulated liquid product intended to be diluted with water f or use in 
engine cooling system  
For the purpose of this document, this will be referred to as coolant concentrate.  
3.2 
engine coolant  
a fluid used for heat transfer  from the engine to the radiator, usually containing specific amounts of glycol , 
water, corrosion i nhibitors and a foam suppressor  
For the purpose of this document,  two types of engine coolants are defined as 
3.2.1  
antifreeze coolant  
an engine coolant that provides a lower freezing point and mitigates ru sting and corrosion and foaming  
3.2.2  
tropical coolant/ summer coolant  
an engine coolant without freeze protection that mitigates corrosion and foaming. Also known as a summer 
/tropical coolant  
3.3 
glycol 
includes mono -ethylene glycol, mono -propylene glycol and other glycols  
3.4 
organic inhibitors  
a formulation based on organic acids which reduces corrosion of the metals normally pres ent in an engine 
cooling system  
3.5 
cavitation  
highly localized corrosion of metal components resulting potentially in small pits or perforations (pitting)  
3.6 
batch  
material from a single mix or, in the case of a continuous production process, material  from a single day’s 
production  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General  DKS 2489: 2020  
© KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  3 
 4.1.1  The engine coolant shall be formulated from acceptable glycols (or a mixture of acceptable glycols), 
water, corrosion inhibitors, dye and a foam suppressor.  
4.1.2  The engine coolant shall be a homogeneous liquid free from suspended matter and  sediment.  
4.1.3  The engine antifreeze coolant shall contain at least 33% of the coolant concentrate.  
4.1.4  The engine tropical coolant shall be formulated to meet rust, corrosion, antifoam properties and no 
freeze protection.  
4.1.5  Engine coolant shall be  formulated using deionized (demineralized) or distilled water or water with low 
mineral con tent. The water used shall meet  the requirements  given in Table 1   
Table 1 — Water requirements  
S/N Property  Specific value Test method  
 
i.  Chlorides, μg/g  25 ma x. ASTM  D5827, ASTM  D512,  
ASTM  D4327  
ii.  Sulfate, μg/g  50 max. ASTM  D5827, ASTM  D516,  
ASTM  D4327  
iii.  Hardness, as CaCO 3, μg/g  20 max . ASTM  D6130, ASTM  D1126  
iv.  pH, max. 5.5 – 8.5 ASTM  D1287, ASTM  D1293  
v.  Iron, μg/g  1.0 max . ASTM  D6130, ASTM  E394  
NOTE 1 Use of water type listed in 4.1.5 will minimize formation of hard water scale and avoid introduction of mineral components 
such as chlorides and sulfates which can increase the corrosion rate of aluminum and iron.  
NOTE 2 Functional additives used for purposes oth er than depression of the freezing point may be included.  
 
4.2 Detailed  requirements  
4.2.1  The engine coolant concentrates, and the engine coolants shall conform to the physical and 
chemical requirements prescribed in Table 2 and Table 3.  
4.2.2  The requirements listed in Table 3 for engine coolants are prescribed for the coolant as packaged, 
without further dilution or adjustment.  
4.2.3  All coolant concentrates and engine coolants shall conform to the performance requirements listed in 
Table 4.  
4.2.4  Coolant concentrates shall be diluted for performance testing as described in the individual ASTM 
test methods  
4.2.5  Coolants already circulating in the market shall pass the in service basic corrosion test prescribed in 
Table 5.  
 
 
 
 DKS 2489 : 2020  
4 © KEBS: 2020 : – All rights reserved  
 Table 2 — Physi cal and chemical requirements for concentrates  
S/N Property  Requirement  Test method  
i.  Relative density  
15.5/15.5°C  1.030 – 1.160  ASTM D1122, D5931  
ii.  Freezing point,a,b °C 
50 %vol  in DI water  −36.4 max . ASTM D1177, D6660  
iii.  Boiling point UNDILUTED  150 min . ASTM D1120  
iv.  Boiling point,a, c °C  
50 % vol in DI water  104 min . ASTM D1120  
v.  Ash content, mass %  Report d ASTM D1119  
vi.  pH, 50%  vol in DI water  7.0 – 11 ASTM D1287  
vii.  Water, mass %  5 max . ASTM D1123  
viii.  Reserve alkalinity, ml  Report d ASTM D1121  
a For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, an observed value shall be rounded “to the nearest unit” in the last 
right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E29. 
b Test Methods D1177 and D6660 work with glycol/glycerine mixtures. Field test devices based on refractive index and density are 
under development.  
c Some precipitate may be observed at the end of the test. This should not be cause for rejection.  
d Value as agreed upon between the supplier and the customer.  
DI – Distilled or Deionised water . 
 
Table 3a — Physical and chemical requirements for engine anti -freeze coolant  
S/N Property  Requirement  Test method  
i.  Relative density  
15.5/15.5°C  1.065 min  ASTM D1122, ASTM  D5931  
ii.  Freezing point, a, b °C, 
undiluted  −36.4 max  ASTM D1177, ASTM  D6660  
iii.  Boiling point,a,c °C undiluted  104 min  ASTM D1120  
iv.  Ash content, mass %  2.5 max  ASTM D1119  
v.  pH, undiluted  7.0 to 11  ASTM D1287  
vi.  Reserve alkalinity, ml  Report  d ASTM D1121   
a For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, an observed value shall be rounded “to the nearest unit” in the last 
right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E29. 
b Test Methods D1177 and D6660 work with glycol/glycerin mixtures. Field test devices based on refractive index and density are under 
development.  
c Some precipitate may be observed at the end of the test. This should not be cause for rejection.  
d Value as agreed upon between the supplier and the customer.  
 
 DKS 2489: 2020  
© KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  5 
 Table 3b — Physical and chemical re quirements for tropical coolant  
S/N Property  Requirement  Test m ethod  
i.   Relative density  
15.5/15.5°C  1.01 min  ASTM D1122  
ii.  pH, undiluted  7.0 to 11  ASTM D1287  
iii.  Reserve alkalinity, ml  Report  c ASTM D1121  
a For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, an observed value shall be rounded “to the nearest unit” in the 
last right -hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E29. 
b Some precipitate may be observed at the end of the test. This should not be cause for rejection.  
c Value as agreed upon between the supplier and the customer.  
 
 
 
Table 4 — Performance requirements  
Property  Specific value Test method  
   
1) Corrosion in glassware     
 
ASTM  D1384  
 (BS 6580)  Test strip  Weight loss, mg/specimen  
Copper  10 max . 
Solder  30 max . 
Brass 10 max . 
Steel 10 max . 
Cast iron  10 max . 
Aluminum  30 max . 
    
2) Simulated service test    
 
ASTM  D2570  Test strip  Weight loss, mg/specimen  
Copper  20 max . 
Solder  60 max . 
Brass 20 max . 
Steel 20 max . 
Cast iron  20 max . 
Aluminum  60 max . 
    
3) Corrosion of cast 
aluminum alloys at heat -
rejecting surfaces , 
mg/cm2/week   
1.0 max .  
ASTM  D4340  
    
4) Foaming    
ASTM  D1881  Volume, ml  150 max . 
Break time, s  5 max . 
    DKS 2489 : 2020  
6 © KEBS: 2020 : – All rights reserved  
 5) Cavitation -erosion rating 
for pitting, cavitation, 
and erosion of the water 
pump  8 min .  
ASTM  D2809  
 
NOTE For engine coolant concentrates, test solutions shall be prepared in accordance with the directions provided in the individual 
ASTM test methods .  
 
 
Table 5 — In-service rust and corrosion test  
Sampling   Random samples of the brand to be tested shall be collected by KEBS 
from different point of sales in the market.  
 A test tube measuring 150 mm in length and 16mm in diameter shall 
be used in this test  
 25 – 40 mm length mild steel nai ls will be used for this test.  
 The surface finish of the nails will be un coated (refer to nail standards 
KS EAS 914/2019).  
Testing   The test tube will be filled up to ¾ level with the coolant sample  
 Three mild steel nails with no rust shall be put inside the test tube 
containing the coolant sample.  
 Another set of the mild steel nails shall be placed in a test tube that 
is ¾ full of ordinary tap water. This will act as the control test.  
 The two test sets shall be placed securely on a flat surface and be 
left undisturbed for the duration of the test.  
 Visual Observations shall  be carried out on a weekly basis for one 
month  
 At the end of the test the  nails will be removed from the two test 
tubes and visually examined for any traces of rust  
Requirements   No rust should be observed in the steel nails from week 1 to week 4.  
 If Rust is formed anytime during of the test period then the coolant 
sample will have failed this test.  
 The steel nails in the control set ( pure water ) are expected to form 
rust throughout the test period  
 The coolant colour shall not breakdown throughout  the test period..  
NOTE This test is only to be applied during market surveillance for coolants already in the market. It shall not be applied d uring the importation of coolants 
and coolants concentrates.  
 
4.3 Other requirements  
4.3.1  Miscibility  
On dilution of the coolant  concentrate , any precipitate formed shall be such as to have no detrimental effect on 
the coolant circulation or on the anti -corrosion properties of the coolant.  
NOTE  Antifoaming agents may be immiscible, and if present, might be ob served as either an oily film or as dispersed 
droplets . 
 DKS 2489: 2020  
© KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  7 
 4.3.2 Storage stability  
After conventional undercover storage under normal conditions for a period of 12 months from the date of 
manufacture, the coolant in an unopened container shall comply with al l the other requirements of this standard.  
4.3.3 Colour  
The coolant shall be colo ured. 
The coolant dye shall be stable and shall not breakdown throughout the shelf life of the coolant.  
5 Packaging and marking  
5.1 Pack aging 
The condition of each container for the coolant shall be such as to have no detrimental effect on the quality of 
the product during normal transportation and storage.  Only containers of the same size filled with coolant from 
the same batch shall be packed together in a carton.  
5.2 Marki ng 
The following information shall be clearly marked on the containe r of the coolant,  or on a label affixed to the 
container:  
a) The name and address (postal address, physical address & phone contact) and registered trade mark 
of the manufacturer or supplier;  
b) The description of the product; Tropical coolant/ s ummer coolant or antifreeze coolant ; 
c) Ready to use or c oncentrate;  
d) Change periods as recommended by the equipment manufacturer;  
e) Batch number/identification;  
f) Quantity;  and 
g) Date of manufacture and expiry.  
 DKS 2489 : 2020  
8 © KEBS: 2020 : – All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(informative)  
 
Notes to users  
A.1 If the coolant contains a benzoate -nitrate type inhibitor, it should not be filled into or stored in containers 
that have zinc galvanized fittings that might come into contact with the material.  Such contact might cause 
interaction between the inhibitor and the zinc, with the resultant liberation of hydrogen gas and possible rupture 
of the container during storage.  
A.2 Whenever possible, the dilution of the coolant with water of excessive hardness should be avoided.  
Furthermore, the addition of other materials to a coolant might be detrimental to the stability and efficiency of 
the coolant. The indiscriminate mixing of different formulations of engine cooling system coolants (even if from 
the same manufacturer) should be avoided.  
A.3 Service  life limitation is important. The engine cooling system coolant covered by this standard becomes a 
corrosive agent once anti-corrosive agents are depleted. It is recommended that the in -vehicle usage of this 
coolant should not exceed a period of two years.  DKS 2489: 2020  
© KEBS 2020  – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex  B 
(normative)  
 
Sampling and compliance with this standard  
B.1 Sampling  
B.1.1   General  
The sampling procedure give n in B.1.3 shall be applied in determining whether a lot submitted for inspection 
and testing complies with the relevant requirements of this standard. The sample so drawn shall be deemed to 
represent the lot.  
B.1.2   Definitions  
B.1.2.1  
defective  
engine c ooling system coolant or its container, that fails to comply with th e requirements of this standard  
B.1.2.2  
lot 
that quantity of engine cooling system coolant in containers bearing the same batch identification, from one 
manufacturer, and submitted at any one tim e for inspection and testing  
B.1.3   Samples for inspection and testing  
After inspecting the lot for compliance with the relevant requirements of 5.1 and 5.2,  use the relevant procedure 
described in ASTM D 1176 to obtain composite samples from a suff icient number of containers (use the relevant 
recommendations given in ASTM D 4057 or in ASTM D 4177).  
B.2 Compliance with this standard  
The lot shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this standard if, after inspection of the containers or 
cartons in the lot, and after testing of the samples taken in accordance with B .1.3, no defective is found.  
B.3  License to manufacture and distribute engine coolants  
1. The manufacture and / or distribution of engine coolants is open to all legally registered co mpanies in 
the country.  
2. The engine coolants manufactured or distributed in B .3.1 shall comply with all the general, detailed 
and other  requirements of this standard.  
3. This standard defines engine coolants as only those containing a coolant concentrate. The corollary of 
this definition is that all coolants manufactured in the country shall be manufactured from either 
coolant concentrates imported into the country or those manufactured in the country and dully 
inspected by Kenya Bureau of Standards ( KEBS ) for conformance to requirements listed in 4.2 of this 
standard . 
4. Issuance of KEBS standardization mark for locally produced coolants shall be issued upon 
compliance to the following :  
a. evidence of importation of coolant concentrate used to produce coolant submitted for 
approval  or  
b. evidence of purchase of coolant concentrate from an importer of coolant concentrate or DKS 2489 : 2020  
10 © KEBS: 2020 : – All rights reserved  
 c. evidence of coolant concentrate manufactured locally or procured from a local manu facturer 
of coolant concentrate or  
d. evidence of purchase of coolant from a licensed manufacturer of coolants.  
5. The evidence to be submitted in case of importation of coolant concentrate is the pre -export 
verification of conformity (PVOC )/certificate of analysis (COA).  
6. In case of purchase of c oolant concentrate or coolant from a licensed manufacturer, the evidence shall 
comprise of a certificate of analysis and evidence of purchase such as a delivery note or an invoice in 
the name of the company from the licensed importer.  
. 
 DKS 2489: 2020    
 
© KEBS 2020 – All rights reserved