Life Time Fill Coolant

[Nederlander75]

My Speed6 indicates that is it is filled with a life time fill coolant, however, I typically change my coolant every 30K mls so this would be new to me. I also have no experience with coolant analysis. Anyone care to educate me on the life time fill claim? Should I get an analysis at 30K or just dump and refill. FYI this is a turbo car for those not familiar.

Thanks all

 

[friendly_jacek]

I don't know about Mazda, but Toyota's super long life (100,000 miles) is supposedly good. Someone recently posted a simple way to test coolant for galvanic corrosion. I saw it circulated on other forums, but don't know if it works well:

Quote:
You can also use an ordinary digital volt meter. With the engine off, touch the voltmeter positive test lead to the radiator or engine (making sure you get good metal-to-metal contact). Then open the radiator cap and insert the negative test lead into the coolant. A reading of up to 0.2 volts is considered acceptable and indicates the presence of reserve alkalinity in the coolant. If the coolant reads 0.3 to 0.6 volts, it is borderline and should be recycled or replaced. A reading of 0.7 volts or more would tell you the coolant is overdue for a change.

 

[hate2work]

The consensus seems to be that most of us do not adhere to the belief that "lifetime" really means lifetime. Changing your "lifetime" coolant at 30k would be a good idea, IMO. I suppose you could get an analysis, but why do you feel you need one?

Same goes for lifetime ATF fluid, get it changed out in a reasonable time frame.

 

[c3po]

Lifetime really means right up until the warranty on your car expires.

 

[Nederlander75]

Thanks all. Was kinda thinking the lifetime fill was a bit overstated, or at least not strong enough to be certain with.

Next questions are whats the feeling toward recycled coolant changes?

Is there any eth/gly coolants better than the other?

 

[Steve S]

I just change the long life stufff every 3 years.

 

[ZZman]

I like a little safety/performance factor.

I think 30,000-50,000 is a good interval with these coolants.

Even if you took it to a dealer or shop for service would that $ 100.00 spent every 2-4 yrs be a big deal? Probably not.

 

[Eddie]

My Mazda CX7 with #F22 coolent is good for 110,000 miles or 10 years. I will just keep inspecting it at regular intervals. I never heard of a life time coolent only a 110K/10Y coolent.

 

[Nederlander75]

My manual calls it Lifetime fill, but says to change at 10 years/110,000miles as well. Just struck me as odd, espeically with a turbo.

 

[Eddie]

Lifetime to me is 175,000 + miles so 110K/10Y doesn't compute

 

[dmk]

The VW/Audi G12 fluid is supposed to be lifetime. Similar to the semi trucks that go many years and over 600,000 miles.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Nederlander75
My manual calls it Lifetime fill, but says to change at 10 years/110,000miles as well. Just struck me as odd, espeically with a turbo.


This 10 year fill seems to be common in newer Japanese cars. After the first 10 years, they recommend 5 year changes. Seems like to me then it should be 5 years for the first change. I think a good general rule of thumb for these longtime fills or "lifetime" fills whether antifreeze or ATF is to at least half their recommendation.

 

[gathermewool]

I think it's funny how we all try to exceed mfg recommended OCI by as much as possible using UOA, but when it comes to looooong-term maintenance we all bulk and act more conservatively than they recommend

 

[pbm]

I think the minimum I would run these lifetime coolants is 60K or 4 years. Bill in Utah just recently changed out the factory fill in his 2005 Corolla at nearly 150K and said all looked well. (I'm nearly sure about this). Changing them at 30K would be a waste IMO.

Of course Dexcool is another story....

 

[Marukai]

My 2009 Subaru Impreza had 100k coolant in it also. I called the dealer to inquire about 30k mile service and they stated that I didn't need to do the coolant because it's good for 100k. Subaru formally used a green coolant that had to be changed every 30k miles. They have since 2008 changed over to a blue coolant.