I thought Prestone Platinum coolant was yellow ?

[rubberchicken]

Walmart / Fedex delivered a package of 3 gallons of Prestone Platinum coolant. They also delivered to me a toxic chemical spill One gallon completely leaked at my door and I spent a few hours cleaning up and complaining to Walmart. The very first thing I noticed was a classic green puddle , which further irritated me as I thought this product was yellow ? Pics to follow. It was running off my driveway into my shrubs, so now my wife is pissed as those may die.
How bad is either green or yellow for shrubs and trees, and why is this product green ?

 

[rubberchicken]

a few pics, banana for scale.

 

[dippschtick]

That's the color I remember it.
But I've owned Toyotas for the last 20 years so I see nothing but pink.

 

[rubberchicken]

I ran out of kitty litter,

 

[rubberchicken]

To me in real life this looks green with a hint of yellow. It probably leaked 30-60 minutes before I discovered it just after dark. I do have both green and dexcool to compare, so maybe daylight will reveal a different truth.

 

[TeeCee]

Platinum and the regular Prestone sold at Walmart is definitely green. Supertech is yellow.

 

[bdcardinal]

I think that is supposed to be the same as the Motorcraft Yellow that ends up looking lime greenish to the confusion of many people.

 

[rubberchicken]

According to the material SDS from Prestone, the color is yellow. I am puzzled.

 

[ripcord]

According to the material SDS from Prestone, the color is yellow. I am puzzled.

I just topped off a rig the other day with Prestone. It definitely has a slight green tint.

 

[Capt W]

Automotive chemicals were originally colored for differentiation from each other, e.g., red trans fluid, brown oil, green coolant. Today's coolants are largely colored to differentiate them from other coolants -- universal green, Toyota red, Mopar purple, Orange Dexcool, etc.

Coloration notwithstanding, you needn't go so overboard on cleanup. Hose it off the walk/driveway and dilute it near trees and shrubs. The only danger is to dogs/cats/small animals who may drink it (if full strength). In many cities used antifreeze is simply poured down the sink or toilet, so no, it's not some kind of HAZMAT.

That said, the packing job was horrendous and the box was likely rough-handled. Hope they sent a new jug ASAP.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Yes, that greenish tinge under certain lighting conditions is exactly what it looks like.

Here is a photo of Prestone concentrated coolant from 2021 when I posted some info on pH.

 

[rubberchicken]

Yes, that greenish tinge under certain lighting conditions is exactly what it looks like.

Here is a photo of Prestone concentrated coolant from 2021 when I posted some info on pH.

View attachment 256642

In the daylight, that is very close match in color, although mine may have slightly more lime green. I think between darkness, my garage lights and my special diving flashlight it showed with a lot more green . When its a thin layer in a spill on the ground, it looks more greenish.

 

[rubberchicken]

Automotive chemicals were originally colored for differentiation from each other, e.g., red trans fluid, brown oil, green coolant. Today's coolants are largely colored to differentiate them from other coolants -- universal green, Toyota red, Mopar purple, Orange Dexcool, etc.

Coloration notwithstanding, you needn't go so overboard on cleanup. Hose it off the walk/driveway and dilute it near trees and shrubs. The only danger is to dogs/cats/small animals who may drink it (if full strength). In many cities used antifreeze is simply poured down the sink or toilet, so no, it's not some kind of HAZMAT.

That said, the packing job was horrendous and the box was likely rough-handled. Hope they sent a new jug ASAP.

Yes, no padding whatsoever, just 3 gallons in the box. What became the bottom gallon split at a seam, and the plastic bag did not stop it from leaking. It was obviously dropped at final delivery as evidenced by damage to the box. As for Hazmat status, I had a dog die of kidney failure after drinking green stuff many years ago. I always considered that animals drinking antifreeze a myth, until that happened to me: before that time, and since that time, any dog or cat I saw would turn away from classic green. When my boys were old enough to start helping in the garage, I tried to teach them the dangers of pets and coolant, but our cats and dog took one sniff and turned away. Poor dog, the vet said that too much time had elapsed since she slurped up the green. I use the propylene glycol non-toxic stuff for my boats

 

[rubberchicken]

Snagglefoot- I checked the MSDS and it says "Intravenous administration of ethanol" is the antidote to ethylene glycol poisoning. But my immediate concern was that it leaked right into my wifes prized Japanese Maple tree. Do you have any knowledge of danger to plants ? Its wintertime and all my outdoor faucets are winterized, so I have no way to flood/wash the area down. I am hoping for rain.

Edit: I should have said Capt W on the hazmat stuff.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Snagglefoot- I checked the MSDS and it says "Intravenous administration of ethanol" is the antidote to ethylene glycol poisoning. But my immediate concern was that it leaked right into my wifes prized Japanese Maple tree. Do you have any knowledge of danger to plants ? Its wintertime and all my outdoor faucets are winterized, so I have no way to flood/wash the area down. I am hoping for rain.

Hopefully, the trees are almost dormant. In the spring I would dilute it with a garden hose. For now I would mix some ethanol with orange juice and have a glass full to cope.

 

[rubberchicken]

Hopefully, the trees are almost dormant. In the spring I would dilute it with a garden hose. For now I would mix some ethanol with orange juice and have a glass full to cope.

Nice I will mix this up, add something secret and call it "The Antidote". A good New Years Eve drink.

 

[ripcord]

Hopefully, the trees are almost dormant. In the spring I would dilute it with a garden hose. For now I would mix some ethanol with orange juice and have a glass full to cope.

Also not funny!