Coolant change interval ?

[Mark72]

All the years I have been driving I use the green antifreeze and change it every 2 years. So, I’m at the 2 year mark and I decided to have the quick lube place do it for me since they only charge 44.00. The guy comes out and asks when I changed it last and I tell him two years ago, he tests it for temp protection and said it is in excellent shape. Also, it still looks new, nice and green and not murky at all. Then I take it to my mechanic and he has these color coded strips he dips in the antifreeze that tell him the PH levels and all that and based off his findings he thinks I should change it regardless because the color codes he is finding on the strip show that it is reading low. The quick lube guy told me that with new radiators and all their plastic and aluminum parts now days, you don’t have to worry about corrosion like you use to with metal ones. Should I change it or go another year or two?

 

[Smokefan1977]

I believe the major improvement in green coolant is the fact it's low silicate now. I believe Zerex reccomends 5years 100k on the green now.

 

[Eddie]

Another two years

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
I believe the major improvement in green coolant is the fact it's low silicate now. I believe Zerex reccomends 5years 100k on the green now.

Keep it in....for at least another year or two. Have it tested every year or so. No use in spending good money....when your coolant is still working well.

 

[Burt]

I thought that temperature protection does not degrade with time, but corrosion protection does and that is the reason to change. True?

 

[bigdawg74]

What kind of vehicle? What does the owner's manual say?

 

[HTSS_TR]

I would drain the radiator and reservoir and add the green antifreeze that you're using every 2 year, that way you're changing about 1/2 coolant and cost less than $15 every 2 years. Why try to save penny and then spend big bucks to repair if the coolant system failed.

 

[pbm]

3 years is the maximum I would run traditional green.
Who is still running traditional green coolant and in what vehicles? I ask because I have a few gallons and I'm thinking of running it in my s-i-ls 2004 Corolla (she has already topped up with traditional so I figure what the heck)...

 

[electrolover]

i would change it. its alot easier than doing a repair later. hats off to the oil change guy, he really thought he was helping you save money. but your schedule seems successful so why change it?


like HTSS_TR said a drain and fill is cheap! go for it

 

[Boss302fan]

I would do a radiator drain and fill every other year because it is cheap insurance and easy to do...

 

[mongo161]

I've been running traditional green for many years on my T4R. I changed to traditional green after I changed out the Toyota Red in 2000. I run the traditional green for two years, flush the system with distilled water only and refill with a 50/50 mix. The green comes out clean. The traditional green, when you find it, make sure that it is "low silicate and ethylene glycol". No problems to report and no leaks or sludge in the cooling system. I guess they have really improved the green from what it was years ago. I've run mostly WM brand but now I don't think that they carry traditional green. So Advance or Auto zone will be my next fill.


Originally Posted By: pbm
3 years is the maximum I would run traditional green.
Who is still running traditional green coolant and in what vehicles? I ask because I have a few gallons and I'm thinking of running it in my s-i-ls 2004 Corolla (she has already topped up with traditional so I figure what the heck)...

 

[bullwinkle]

Quote:
Originally Posted By: pbm
3 years is the maximum I would run traditional green.
Who is still running traditional green coolant and in what vehicles?

It's hard to find traditional green. If you truly have traditional green, give it to someone who has a soldered copper/brass cooling system.
Still common around here-Peak, Full Force, Pride, AutoZone, STP, and Zerex all still make it.