Which long life coolant?

[92saturnsl2]

I need change the coolant out as part of the 100k maintenance on my 01 Frontier S/C.

I put 30k miles on the truck a year so am looking for some kind of extended life anti-freeze, something I can leave in for 2-3 years and not have to worry. The truck currently has the plain jane green coolant in it, probably some cheap'o brand the body shop used when the radiator was replaced at 50k.

What is the best long-life replacement? Is it okay to change to a different type (Dexcool, the ford kind, etc?)

 

[HTSS_TR]

PEAK Global LifeTime or Zerex G-05

 

[ffracer]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
PEAK Global LifeTime or Zerex G-05


Yep, both work.

 

[VK56VD]

OEM Nissan or OEM Toyota fluid. Make sure to flush the radiator before using the Toyota stuff.

BTW, Nissan Long Life Anti Freeze is green.

 

[Rolf]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
What is the best long-life replacement? Is it okay to change to a different type (Dexcool, the ford kind, etc?)


G-05, which has been used by Daimler for almost two decades, and is factory fill for Chrysler and Ford, is a pretty good coolant.

Unlike DexCool it won't soften plastics or dissolve gaskets.

Also unlike DexCool it's fully formulated, so it can be used in diesels without cavitation damage.

It handles air and low coolant much better than DexCool.

Unlike the Japanese coolants, it's relatively easy to find and works in hard water.

Just be sure to do a really really thorough flush before switching over.

I recommend using distilled water both for the flush and as the water component of the fill.

 

[JHZR2]

havoline custom (its a G-05).

The word from the chevron experts is that Universal coolants are only for the secondary market and not for any warranty work. They effectively implied that the are inferior.

The also confirmed that their pre-mixes are made with DI water. Not sure if it is 18 megohm, but its DI all the same. Likely something better than 8 megohm.

 

[02zx9r]

if you are changing it out every 2-3 years like you stated in your original post then any over the counter coolant would work fine for that interval. If you do a total flush and then stick with one fluid you can just drain and refill the radiator every 2 years and will always have fresh coolant and additives in there

prestone, peak, supertech, etc.. will all work for you

 

[92saturnsl2]

Well ideally I'd like this to be the last coolant change-- If that's possible. I was just throwing 2 years out there to be on the safe side. So the longer the life of the coolant, the better. I've got lots of other maintenance items on the list, I'd like to knock some off if possible

 

[HTSS_TR]

If you want this to be the last coolant change then PEAK Global LifeTime is the one, you need to flush out all current coolant in your system.

Even Peak claims that it can be used to top-off any color of automotive antifreeze, but then it said "guaranteed Lifetime protection - for as long as you own your vehicle - when a complete cooling system flush and fill is performed and specified maintenance followed"

The problem is, it is hard to find at auto-part stores and it costs few dollars more than others.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If you want this to be the last coolant change then PEAK Global LifeTime is the one, you need to flush out all current coolant in your system.

Even Peak claims that it can be used to top-off any color of automotive antifreeze, but then it said "guaranteed Lifetime protection - for as long as you own your vehicle - when a complete cooling system flush and fill is performed and specified maintenance followed"

The problem is, it is hard to find at auto-part stores and it costs few dollars more than others.



I've seen it at PepBoys and AutoZone in my area and cost around $20.00/gallon and is in the gold jug not the typical PEAK blue jug.

 

[pbm]

I have had Peak Global in my 01' honda for 50K without a problem. Does anybody know what formula it is? G-05 clone?

 

[92saturnsl2]

I'd like to know how they can backup that claim. Is this formulation different than other competing brands?

 

[BearZDefect]

Peak Global has, besides the usual ingredients ethylene glycol, water, and di-ethylene glycol:

- sodium benzoate (doesn't G-05 use this as one ingredient too?)
- proprietary inhibitor 80100315-5005P (hope I typed that correctly)

So, they leave it a secret. I imagine their proprietary inhibitor could be a combination of ingredients.

No silicate listed in Peak Global, unlike low silicate G-05.

Local Meijer has some Peak antifreezes on clearance.