Universal anti-freeze as a full fill?

[actionstan]

Hello all,

I have a 1999 saturn with 133k miles, currently it has a full of dexcool the oem fluid and has been topped off with super tech universal.

I was curious if there is any harm in using a universal antifreeze such as maxlife/supertech/prestone/peak as a full fill instead of just top offs? To me it just makes sense to use these in place of dexcool since they are cheaper and more available.

Please let me know your thoughts, thanks!

 

[GutsyGecko]

I've used a full full of peak in all my cars since I can remember... (Exept the really nice ones). Can't see anything wrong with it so long as you get all the oil fluid out.

 

[Donald]

There are real DexCool from Prestone and Zerex that are easy to find. I would guess the universal coolants you mention are a clone of DexCool, or most are. Peak Global is one universal that is not a clone of DexCool.

I see no reason to use one of the universal coolants when the real DexCool is easily available and reasonably priced.

If you have never replaced the radiator cap I would do so. DexCool is not good with air mixed in and caps need replacing every once and awhile anyway.

 

[901Memphis]

The universal coolants are similar to Dexcool anyways, but use whatever you can get your hands on if you can flush all the old stuff out.

It would have made more sense to just stay on top of drain and fills with 50/50 dexcool, but now if you flush it out you will need concentrated coolant to get back up to 50/50 since flushing it out will leave the system with nearly all water.

 

[tnt31]

Exactly what I have done. I think if dexcool is your FF then doing a flush and fill with a dexclone is no issue.

 

[artificialist]

Prestone "All Makes All Models" has 2-EHA, so I use it in GM cars in my family. Plus, it costs a few dollars less!