coolant change miles or time?

[The motor guy]

I have the mopar red HOAT long life coolant in my truck supposed to be good for 5 years or 100,000 miles. I only have like 28,000 miles on it and was put into use in september of 07. Do you guys go by miles or time? Obviously Im going to hit the 5 year mark before I hit 100,000 miles. One of these days i'll start driving it more and put more miles on it.

 

[Artem]

Coolant, just like every other juice in the world, has an expiration date based on time.

However, just like most engine fluids, the service interval goes:

Every x amount if years or x amount of miles, whichever comes first.

If you reach 5 years before racking up 100K, change the fluid.
If you reach 100k before 5 years, change the fluid.

 

[beast3300]

Time for coolant change. (no pun)

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Artem


Every x amount if years or x amount of miles, whichever comes first.

x2.

 

[daves87rs]

I'm at that right now...time to change it in the Cobalt!

 

[bigmike]

OP,
I'd consider doing a drain/refill now and yearly or once every 2 years thereafter, depending on how clean it is.

 

[Artem]

^bigmike, why such short intervals? I have 107k on my 07 Civic EX and the coolant is still clean as can be in the reservoir and a recent coolant test, using a test strip, revealed that it was still functioning @ 100%

I honestly see no reason to change it yet (based on mileage)

Will wait until 2012

 

[bigmike]

Based on the year and cooling manufacturer recommendations, plus it is easy to do.

It's already 4 years old (or older, depending on the build date). It's easier to do drain/refills rather than a full flush. It's extremely easier if the cooling system never gets dirty too, which is the idea behind drain/refills early.

I did a drain/refill on my truck at the 5 year mark and another one 6 months later. I could get 9-10 quarts each time from a 18 quart system. I probably won't do it again for a year or 2. BTW, it has 50k miles on it, but the build date was July, 2005.

I did one on my Accord at the 2 year mark using Honda Type 2 and I'll probably do it every 2 - 3 years irregardless of mileage.

 

[Artem]

Why do more maintenance then necessary? It's no better then changing the oil @ 3k

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: Artem
Why do more maintenance then necessary? It's no better then changing the oil @ 3k

Preventative maintenance is possibly the best thing you could do for any machinery.

If you look at other forum topics, you will note that many of BITOGers do this for all fluids (PSF, brake fluid, clutch fluid, ATF, MTF, gear lube, etc.).

I don't think suggesting doing a partial removal of antifreeze from the cooling system as a completion of the coolant change. A drain and refill only removes a percentage, which require a few drain/refills over time to remove almost all of the fluid, statistically speaking.

The fluid in the OP vehicle is 4 years old, at least, with a 5 year change requirement. It's better to start planning now to complete this exchange and the OP can choose to take this advice how he pleases, either with doing drain/refills or waiting to do a complete exchange.

Oil changes at 3k miles would benefit many, depending on their driving habits and vehicle usage. If I did 3k mile changes on my truck, that would be 8-12 months time wise. There is not a clear, singe defined answer on these topics.