Shelf Life Antifreeze?

[tbear853]

Wondering what is the real shelf life of unopened, never opened since the day it was bottled, still sealed Peak, Zerex, or Prestone or other Long Life "Any Make / Any Model" 5 year/150K full strength antifreezes? I bought a bunch maybe 5 or 6 years ago on sales and still have maybe 14 gallons on hand.

 

[pbm]

I would think it's still fine if there hasn't been any additive drop out....after all it's good for 5 years in an engine so 5 years unopened shouldn't be a problem, IMO.

 

[tbear853]

I figure to shake it good before using.

 

[Lubener]

I am still using old green coolant I bought around 15 years ago. It doesn't go bad sitting on the shelf.

 

[Jake_J]

Some manufacturers will list a shelf life of 5 years, but it's doesn't really go bad sitting on the shelf especially if it's unopened. I've used coolant that's been sitting for far longer than 5 years and never had a issue.

 

[RamFan]

Like oil, give it a good shake prior to use, but as long as it’s sealed I can’t see it “going bad”.

 

[Krieg]

I read the title and thought I never heard of that brand! You will be fine...there is 10 year coolant now..

 

[FordMan59]

I've still got some of the old Prestone Low Tox green stuff in my garage that's between 15-20 years old. I think I bought all they had one time when I caught it on clearance for $1 a gallon. I've used on it over the years and gave some to my dad before he died in 2010. I'm also using motor oil that's 15-25 years old. Never had a problem with either one.

 

[tbear853]

Oh yeah, got some old oil too, 32 quarts Kendall GT-1 20w50 that's easily 25 years old I guess, it was bought when I had a vehicle that used it. Got some other that is more useable in today's vehicles like 10w30, 5w30, even a few qts 5w20 ... but different brands. Got a few gallons 15w40 too.
Then I have some Mercon V for my car's trans changes, but it goes quick when changing a dozen quarts at once.

I just had noticed that I had so much of the AF on hand and looked on the websites. I'll use at least 6 or 8 gallons this year between some changes. Someplace I had read on a website that it had a 3 year shelf life, even though it could be used for 5 years in a engine and thought

 

[y_p_w]

Chevron (Havoline) says 8 years for their Dex-Cool formula, which is really just a universal application.

https://cglapps.chevron.com/msdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=408996&docFormat=PDF

• Stability — Can be stored for approximately 8 years in sealed containers without any effect on the product quality or performance.​

Older style Prestone had a fairly short shelf life because the silicates would inevitably drop out into a gel. Not sure what the deal was with low-silicate extended life coolant.