Coolant change Interval

[BigD7]

Hi all, 2010 5.7 commander here. Did a radiator dump and refill in 2014 and again in 2015. Was about to do it again but started wondering whether it's overkill. Do I do it or wait another yr? Using mopar long life coolant. Thanks in advance.

 

[Eddie]

The long-life coolant in my Mazda is 10 year 120,000 miles. I think most long-life is at least 5 year 75,000 miles. Ed

 

[BigD7]

Thanks Eddie. Yes, this one is 5 yrs 100K miles. I'm just wondering since I'm doing the radiator only, whether more frequent changes r needed.

 

[WobblyElvis]

Been maintaining older cars for the past 45 years. In the past 20 years the coolant has advanced significantly and I find a rad flush and new fluid is not necessary at all. I don't know how they do it but it is far better than it used to be. In my experience going 10 years on the original fluid is very doable. If I kept a new car 20 years, I would only expect to service the cooling system fluid once and that's it.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis

Been maintaining older cars for the past 45 years. In the past 20 years the coolant has advanced significantly and I find a rad flush and new fluid is not necessary at all. I don't know how they do it but it is far better than it used to be. In my experience going 10 years on the original fluid is very doable. If I kept a new car 20 years, I would only expect to service the cooling system fluid once and that's it.

Agreed. With the old plain green coolant, I never had a corrosion issue with a radiator drain and refill every 2 years. With the new fluids, you could likely do the same every 4-5 years and be well protected.

 

[Whipcitywrencher]

This is a inexpensive tester Maybe an overkill but I do mine every 2 years I check it with this... 1 gallon antifreeze the rest water...Ive' never had a antifreze relateded problem in over 30 plus years...

 

[ZebRuaj]

I service per manual (usually as I near 100k). If the engine drains aren't a PIA to reach, I'll do them. If not, rad drain and fill is good enough if the car has no prior cooling issues. If I want more alone time in the garage, I usually find other "maintenance" stuff for excuses.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Make sure to use HOAT coolant (such as Zerex G05) in your Jeep! Flush it ASAP if it's OAT stuff like universal. With HOAT, probably every 5-7 years is good. Mileage, probably up to about 100k.

 

[Gebo]

I’d find the engine drain plugs and open them. Oh, and make sure you have the temp knob turned to hottest temp.

 

[DBMaster]

I've been adding RMI-25 every 15,000 miles and don't ever plan to change mine.

 

[eljefino]

What does your manual say to do? Mine literally says drain the radiator, not squeeze every drop out. I hate to parrot the "cheap insurance" bit but most cars are junked due to transmission or cooling issues. And if you read here about all the 12-15 year old cars with $1000 heater core problems etc, you don't want that to be you. And it takes all those years to show issues.

 

[Ethan1]

Sounds like your coolant is basically all new as of 2015, so long life coolant = 5+ years = theoretically change it in 2020. (I am an obsessive coolant changer, so I have never let a car go 5 years with any sort of coolant.)

 

[Eddie]

Change the coolant with a long life coolant every 4 years with a radiator flush only. 5 years is probably fine but, 4 years is a compromise to help people sleep better. Ed

 

[barkingspider]

If I were you, I would not change the coolant until 2020 or another 100k miles.

 

[Kage860]

Jeep coolant is good for 5 years. So if the radiator drain changes half the coolant you could do that every 2.5 years and be ok based on my logic.

 

[BigD7]

Thanks everyone, all very good points! As OCD as I am, may just wait till next year to do this.