How often drain & replace coolant?

[AIRJAC3]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I drain and fill once every year with dex-cool and distilled water.


+1 except for me it's 2 years on my Camaro SS

3 years for everything else. 5 years/150k just seems kind of long. I don't care how advanced coolants are. I will never keep anything in my car for 5 years.

 

[paulri]

I am seeing now that my question in the OP was rather naive. The answer depends upon an awful lot.

Right now, I'm looking at my Toyota Super Long Life Coolant, that goes 10 yrs/100K or so on the FF, and 5 years thereafter. The other brand of coolant I am thinking of using in my Civic, Valvoline Zerex Asian Vehicle, can go 3 years on a drain and fill. I realize that they advertise 5 years, but that unless I'm mistaken, is on a flush of everything prior.

I have some new questions.

(1) Is there any reason why I should drain coolant no longer than 3 year intervals? If all the gets degraded in coolant is the additive pack, then I should be fine taking Toyota Super Long life coolant to the OEM spec of 5 year refills, correct?

It seems like several posters here in this thread have no problem taking coolant longer than 3 years, but some do. What would the issue be with taking any "intended" coolant for a 3-5 year drain interval?

(2) In the event that I'm fine with a 5 year coolant drain interval, is there any reason why I should not use the Toyota Super Long Life coolant, in my Civic? The relevant specs are the same (no borates or silicates), as far as I can see. If I don't do this, I will most likely use Valvoline Zerex Asian Vehicle in my civic.

 

[razel]

Don't let it become rocket science. Use coolant type that stated in the manual. Change it at intervals best you can as stated in the manual. Yes, do not mix. If you already did, don't lose sleep, just drain and refill twice next time. Then move on with life.