"All Makes, All Models" Really?
- Thread starter j_mac
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I can't speak to wether or not its 'ideal', but I use it in everything I've got and have never had any problems.
I've had it mixed with VW coolant in my GTI for a couple of years without problem. Same story with the wife's Mercedes.
JHZR2
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I do not trust anything that is all makes. Engineering is enough of a compromise to select something as a "point design", let alone one product that meets all applications.
The simple answer is no, it is not compatible will ALL kinds of antifreeze. Some? Yes. All? No!!! IF all the old antifreeze was completely flushed out and replaced with the all makes, then yes, for the most part it is- but that kind of defeats the purpose.
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Originally Posted By: j_mac
Is the Prestone All Makes All Models really 100% compatible with any kind of antifreeze? Will it work equally well in my 2001 GMC truck and my '99 Mustang GT?
Supposedly, in theory. However, I would be cautious about using a "one size fits all" product. OEM requirements are so vastly different among auto makers, it seems unlikely a product could equally meet the needs of every vehicle. So by that understanding, could my Honda use the same coolant as your GMC? Maybe in a pinch, but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable assuming it would meet OE requirements and performance.
Best bet, consult your owners maunal and use exactly what it specifies. How could you go wrong with that?
Is the Prestone All Makes All Models really 100% compatible with any kind of antifreeze? Will it work equally well in my 2001 GMC truck and my '99 Mustang GT?
Supposedly, in theory. However, I would be cautious about using a "one size fits all" product. OEM requirements are so vastly different among auto makers, it seems unlikely a product could equally meet the needs of every vehicle. So by that understanding, could my Honda use the same coolant as your GMC? Maybe in a pinch, but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable assuming it would meet OE requirements and performance.
Best bet, consult your owners maunal and use exactly what it specifies. How could you go wrong with that?
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The way I look at it and an easy rule of thumb is all makes is dexclone/OAT and would work best with other OAT/HOAT formulas with the exception of G-05. G-05 is closer to green than it is to OAT and HOAT coolants like Asian vehicle, G12 in VWs and Dexcool.
What you are doing when adding all makes to a formula like green is adding and diluting both the all makes' OAT inhibitor with sodium hydroxide acid buffer formula with green's IAT with borate formula. Then neither is at a high enough level to be most effective. If you stuck with one formula or the other, it would work better putting aside manufactures' coolant type recommendations.
What you are doing when adding all makes to a formula like green is adding and diluting both the all makes' OAT inhibitor with sodium hydroxide acid buffer formula with green's IAT with borate formula. Then neither is at a high enough level to be most effective. If you stuck with one formula or the other, it would work better putting aside manufactures' coolant type recommendations.
From Ford...
Engine Coolant Frequently Asked Questions
"Due to the complexity of cooling systems, no one coolant has been proven to work in all vehicles."
Engine Coolant Frequently Asked Questions
"Due to the complexity of cooling systems, no one coolant has been proven to work in all vehicles."
Manufactures only recommend the one antifreeze that they validated. It's good advice to follow in general. Ford does backspec G-05 to about '99 model year though and does not recommend the use of Dexcool/All makes/dexclone unless the vehicle was factory filled with Motorcraft orange. Motorcraft green is original green fromula, Yellow is G-05 and Orange is Dexcool/All makes/dexclone.
Originally Posted By: j_mac
Wow Drew! Excellent link.
Can someone tell me how Motorcraft green, yellow, and orange compare to regular old green antifreeze, All Makes All Models, and Dex-Cool antifreeze?
Motorcraft Gold is G05 which is a hybrid OAT with silcates added for faster protection. Pretty sure motorcraft green is a classic green inorganic phosphate/silicate coolant and orange is a Dexclone. Universal coolants are some form of a hybrid OAT with silicates and or phosphates depending on the formulation. Dexcool is your basic OAT with no fast acting corrosion inhibitors.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
sodium hydroxide acid buffer formula
That sounds like a mystical chemical, kind of like a municorn.
Wow Drew! Excellent link.
Can someone tell me how Motorcraft green, yellow, and orange compare to regular old green antifreeze, All Makes All Models, and Dex-Cool antifreeze?
Motorcraft Gold is G05 which is a hybrid OAT with silcates added for faster protection. Pretty sure motorcraft green is a classic green inorganic phosphate/silicate coolant and orange is a Dexclone. Universal coolants are some form of a hybrid OAT with silicates and or phosphates depending on the formulation. Dexcool is your basic OAT with no fast acting corrosion inhibitors.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
sodium hydroxide acid buffer formula
That sounds like a mystical chemical, kind of like a municorn.
Motorcraft Gold (G05) is theoretically safe for any system originally filled with green (old style stuff) as long as the old stuff is flushed out thoroughly.
"All Makes All Models" clearly states on the bottle that it can be added to, and is compatible with ANY color antifreeze. Surely if it caused any damage, Prestone would have been sued by now and forced to remove that statement from the bottle.
They have been challenged for false advertisement. Prestone refuses to remove the "All Makes, All Models" claim.
http://www.gohtsn.com/article_321.shtml
From the link:
Quote:
The challenged advertising clearly conveys the message that Prestone can be mixed with any other antifreeze/coolant regardless of its chemistry. However, as noted above, both Ford and DaimlerChrysler specifically warn consumers against mixing OAT antifreeze/coolants with the HOAT antifreeze/coolants that are put in at the factory. Based on that reason alone, the panel would find that the compatibility claims have not been substantiated.
http://www.gohtsn.com/article_321.shtml
From the link:
Quote:
The challenged advertising clearly conveys the message that Prestone can be mixed with any other antifreeze/coolant regardless of its chemistry. However, as noted above, both Ford and DaimlerChrysler specifically warn consumers against mixing OAT antifreeze/coolants with the HOAT antifreeze/coolants that are put in at the factory. Based on that reason alone, the panel would find that the compatibility claims have not been substantiated.
It may not cause "damage", but in some cases, it can definitely sludge up the coolant.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
All Makes is a Dexcool. It would work well in your '01 GMC but it would be a not so good choice for a '99 Mustang that should have green originally.
really? then why is it yellow?
prestone makes a dexcool approved fluid, but its not all makes all models. its in a grey bottle
All Makes is a Dexcool. It would work well in your '01 GMC but it would be a not so good choice for a '99 Mustang that should have green originally.
really? then why is it yellow?
prestone makes a dexcool approved fluid, but its not all makes all models. its in a grey bottle
Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
"All Makes All Models" clearly states on the bottle that it can be added to, and is compatible with ANY color antifreeze. Surely if it caused any damage, Prestone would have been sued by now and forced to remove that statement from the bottle.
It is compatibile in the sense that nothing really happens if you mix it with other anti-freeze. But that doesn't mean much. They have an out. If you put in All Makes with green then you still have to change the coolant about every 2y/30k miles. If you put it in a system and it sludges, they can blame the radiator cap, not keeping the system full etc. If your gaskets leak a few years later how are you going to prove it wasn't the gasket's fault? You'll see a lot of sludged up, leaking cooling systems but you won't see anyone suing an antifreeze maker.
"All Makes All Models" clearly states on the bottle that it can be added to, and is compatible with ANY color antifreeze. Surely if it caused any damage, Prestone would have been sued by now and forced to remove that statement from the bottle.
It is compatibile in the sense that nothing really happens if you mix it with other anti-freeze. But that doesn't mean much. They have an out. If you put in All Makes with green then you still have to change the coolant about every 2y/30k miles. If you put it in a system and it sludges, they can blame the radiator cap, not keeping the system full etc. If your gaskets leak a few years later how are you going to prove it wasn't the gasket's fault? You'll see a lot of sludged up, leaking cooling systems but you won't see anyone suing an antifreeze maker.
bottom line tho
i always flush thoroughly before changing to prestone.
but i always change to prestone so i dont have any hassles when it comes time to replace the fluid. i believe it works for any model, i have used it every since i started driving with no problems.
i always flush thoroughly before changing to prestone.
but i always change to prestone so i dont have any hassles when it comes time to replace the fluid. i believe it works for any model, i have used it every since i started driving with no problems.
Originally Posted By: electrolover
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
All Makes is a Dexcool. It would work well in your '01 GMC but it would be a not so good choice for a '99 Mustang that should have green originally.
really? then why is it yellow?
prestone makes a dexcool approved fluid, but its not all makes all models. its in a grey bottle
Dexcool generally contains 2 OAT inhibitors, one of them 2-EHA. Prestone All Makes contains 2-EHA (the OAT in all Dexcools)and sodium neodecanoate (this choice of their own secondary OAT allows them to have their own patent). It is dyed yellow so that its dye will not clash with other anti-freezes color dyes.
Now, Prestone Dexcool also contains 2-EHA and neodecanoate. The only difference is it is licensed by GM and GM tested it for meeting its Dexcool spec and so it is dyed orange. Esentially Dexcool and All Makes are the same thing, same formula. Prestone to their credit puts the ingredients right on the bottom.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
All Makes is a Dexcool. It would work well in your '01 GMC but it would be a not so good choice for a '99 Mustang that should have green originally.
really? then why is it yellow?
prestone makes a dexcool approved fluid, but its not all makes all models. its in a grey bottle
Dexcool generally contains 2 OAT inhibitors, one of them 2-EHA. Prestone All Makes contains 2-EHA (the OAT in all Dexcools)and sodium neodecanoate (this choice of their own secondary OAT allows them to have their own patent). It is dyed yellow so that its dye will not clash with other anti-freezes color dyes.
Now, Prestone Dexcool also contains 2-EHA and neodecanoate. The only difference is it is licensed by GM and GM tested it for meeting its Dexcool spec and so it is dyed orange. Esentially Dexcool and All Makes are the same thing, same formula. Prestone to their credit puts the ingredients right on the bottom.
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