Do I have to change my coolant?

[GI_GRIFF]

Owner's manual for a 2018 Honda Fit says to perform coolant service every 5 years or 50,000 miles.

But the car runs fine and has never overheated. Coolant levels in both the radiator and expansion tank are good, and I haven't had to top it off. Radiator cap is clean, still springy, and seals fine. The (original Honda) coolant is blue, transparent, and clean: no cloudiness, no oil, no rust, no debris, no signs of contamination. Hoses are tight, no cracks, no bulges, no signs of leaks, rubber is supple.

I got a pack of the Phoenix Systems Coolant Strips and tested the coolant from the top of the radiator. According to the most recent test strip, the pH is between 8 and 9 (i.e. still alkaline), and glycol% is between 50% and 60% (i.e. estimated freezing point below -34F, boiling point about 265F). I test every six months, and plan to drain/fill the coolant when the pH drops below 8 or glycol goes below 50%.

Is there any reason not to trust or rely on the coolant test strips? What other factors should be considered?

You can send a sample into Polaris Labs for a coolant analysis. Then you will know. I used to do it years ago when I owned my own trucks. I have no idea what it costs anymore. Polaris Labs phone number is 317-808-3750. I think Blackstone probably does it and if you have a Cat heavy equipment shop around, I am sure they can do it. You can use a clean turkey baster to draw some to fill the little container you will get.

 

[Lubener]

Good responses here. How do people dispose of old coolant?

My city's service garage accepts used coolant and oil.

 

[JohnnyG]

Drain and fills BEFORE the coolant becomes depleted. It's really easy now-a-days.

Also, a Q:
Many have said that today's water pumps' bearings are isolated from the coolant flow and are NOT lubed by the coolant.
I don't know if this is true or not.....but I've heard it a lot.

Right, the bearings are sealed. It's the seal faces that require some kind of lubrication. These are typically carbon against ceramic.
The carbon half of the seal does provide some inherent lubrication properties as it wears, but the fluid adds some more.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Good responses here. How do people dispose of old coolant?

It can go into the sanitary sewer (NOT the storm sewer).

 

[ripcord]

It can go into the sanitary sewer (NOT the storm sewer).

This is not allowed in some areas. It's really bad for septic systems, though.

 

[Speedy3861]

Pro-active maintenance beats reactive maintenance every time IMHO

 

[zrxkawboy]

It's really bad for septic systems, though.

Thanks for clarifying. I am on a city sewer system, and wasn't thinking of septic systems. You are right, of course.

 

[John105]

Good responses here. How do people dispose of old coolant?

Storm drain or local reservoir....just joking. For this reason, I pay a shop to do it, and also on the GM and BMW, I assumed they used a machine. The Lexus the indie does what the dealer does, a drain/fill.

I did a radiator job on my Maxima and it slipped and coolant went all over my driveway, not fun.....

Some folks have municipal dumps that accept this stuff, I don't unfortunately. Even oil is a pita but I've discovered 2 Jiffy Lubes who don't reject it like the auto parts stores where I live

 

[barkingspider]

If you’re keeping the car, I would change the coolant

 

[dubber09]

My local bottle depot accepts coolant so I take it there. Matter of fact just yesterday I drained and filled rad in Sportage, that's what I do every couple years, no flushing. Emptied expansion tank, washed and filled with fresh coolant too. A little more than half of total volume gets replaced in my case.

 

[Sumboodie]

Good responses here. How do people dispose of old coolant?

In a tote and we use it in winter to spray dump beds when hauling snow.
It's the environment friendly version allegedly, approved by the DEC. Used to just use diesel.

Have also used it to load tires on equipment as it's free, safe for the tires and wheels and doesn't freeze

 

[johnmyster]

Is this the same Honda has a published/approved TSB procedure for flushing heater cores using CLR?

If so, one might argue that their prescribed coolant change interval isn't sufficient.

 

[zzyzzx]

In so far as actually proactively changing your coolant, you probably only ever have to do that as a standalone step once during the lifetime of any vehicle. After that, it will be part of a radiator / water pump / or maybe a hose replacement.

 

[tcp71]

My sienna has a sticker that says 160k kms, 10 year initial fill before needing to change the coolant. 5 years and 50k miles seems overzealous. Different chemistry?