South Africa - FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA has announced the local introduction of FRICOFIN LD 50, a premium-performance, ready-mix coolant engineered to meet the increasingly complex thermal management requirements of modern heavy-duty and mixed fleets operating across Southern Africa.

As winter conditions take hold in key transport corridors, including the Highveld, Western Cape, and northern freight routes - cooling systems are exposed to wider thermal cycles, cold starts, and sustained high-load operation. Under these conditions, coolant formulation is critical not only for protection against freezing, but also for long-term corrosion control, stable heat transfer, and protection of increasingly sensitive engine components.

Advanced X‑OAT Coolant Technology

FRICOFIN LD 50 uses advanced X‑OAT coolant technology, combining monoethylene glycol and demineralised water with long‑life organic acid inhibitors and select inorganic accelerators. This delivers fast corrosion protection alongside long-term stability. Free of nitrites, borates, silicates, and phosphates, it avoids issues like deposits, gel formation, and abrasive wear, ensuring efficient heat transfer. The formulation is especially suited to modern Euro‑spec diesel engines operating under high thermal and emissions stress.

Engineered for Severe Duty and Extended Drain Intervals

For heavy‑duty and long‑haul use, FRICOFIN LD 50 protects against cavitation, corrosion, and deposits under high loads and extended service intervals. It is compatible with all major cooling system materials and has been proven in severe‑duty applications without the need for initial SCAs, simplifying maintenance while delivering stable thermal performance and long‑term protection in demanding South African operating conditions.

Ready-Mix Accuracy and Fleet Compatibility

Supplied as a 50 vol% pre-diluted ready‑mix, FRICOFIN LD 50 can be filled directly into the cooling system, eliminating dilution errors and ensuring consistent corrosion inhibitor levels across the fleet. The formulation provides protection against freezing down to –40 °C while maintaining effective boiling point control under sustained operating temperatures.

Specified in accordance with: ASTM D 3306 TYPE III ▪ ASTM D6210 TYPE III-FF ▪ GB 27943.1-2022 ▪ Tata Motors - Jaguar (STJLR.03.5212) ▪ VOLVO VCS-2 , and carries the approval for DEUTZ DQC CB-14.

With a wide host of FUCHS recommendations for : CNH MAT 3624 ▪ CNH MAT 3724 ▪ CAT GCM34 ▪ CAT EC-1 ▪ Chevrolet GMW 3420 ▪ DAF 74002 ▪ DETROIT DIESEL 93K217 ▪ Ford WSS M97B44-D ▪ FIAT 9.55523 ▪ GM6277M ▪ GMW 18270 ▪ GMW 3420 ▪ Isuzu - UD Trucks ▪ IVECO 18-1830 ▪ JOHN DEERE JDM H5 ▪ Kobelco ▪ Komatsu 07.892 (2017) ▪ Leyland Trucks DW03245403 ▪ MAN 324 TYPE SNF ▪ Mahle – Behr ▪ MB 326.3 / DTFR 29D110 ▪ Mitsubishi MHI ▪ MTU MTL 5048 ▪ Perkins ▪ RTCS-2 ▪ SAAB B 04 01065 ▪ Santana Motors ▪ SKODA 61-0-0257 ▪ Yanmar ▪ UNE 26-361-88/1 ▪ VW TL 774-D/F (G12+)

This broad approval profile makes FRICOFIN LD 50 ideal for mixed fleets, simplifying workshop operations and reducing inventory duplication. In addition, the coolant incorporates a bittering agent to enhance safety, along with a specialised additive that neutralises residual brazing flux from Controlled Atmosphere Brazing (CAB) radiators, helping maintain long‑term cleanliness in modern aluminium cooling systems.

A Complete Coolant Solution from FUCHS

Supporting the launch of FRICOFIN LD 50 is FRICOFIN LL 50, FUCHS’ proven long-life coolant for standard on-highway and light-to-medium duty applications. Together, these two solutions offer fleet operators and workshops the flexibility to match coolant technology precisely to operational severity and OEM requirements.

“Cooling systems play a critical role in engine reliability and total cost of ownership,” says Eben Viljoen, FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA Business Development Specialist Commercial Sales Inland. “By offering FRICOFIN LD 50 alongside our established FRICOFIN LL 50, we are giving workshops and fleets access to coolant technologies that actively support engine performance, uptime and long-term reliability.”

With winter underway, FUCHS encourages fleet operators and workshops to prioritise proactive cooling system maintenance because when temperatures drop, performance and protection must start at the core.

For more information visit www.fuchs.com/za/en or connect with a FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA expert at ZA-contact-za@fuchs.com or WhatsApp on 071 861 8844.