Antifreeze change.

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Gregory S

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How often should antifreeze be changed in FWC engines?
 
Manufacturer's recommendation? FWIW, in our case, it's an item called out in the service manual...

-Chris
 
General guideline is five years but I used prestone extended life in 2012. My mechanic checked it yesterday with a refractometer and it's still good to -40
 
That's why I asked Michael. Mine is also 5 years old, still looks and smells fine and when I checked it, it registers freeze protection to minus 34 degrees F. Unless someone points me in another direction, I can't see discarding perfectly good antifreeze. Do any of you change your car antifreeze every five years?
 
I think that's where the extended life product comes into play. I was once told that antifreeze becomes acidic after a period of time. So it may still offer freeze protection but lose the anti-corrosive properties. But according to Prestone, the Extended Life product should be flushed every five years. As far as my cars, I follow the car manufacturer's maintenance schedule for everything. Of course Prestone wants you to change it more frequently.
 
Test strips are for ph. Base is good, acid is bad. Different then checking freeze or boil point.
 
the anti corrosion additives in Af need renewal after a certain amount of time. The many different materials in today's engines may set up galvanic couples once the AF protection diminishes. Perhaps that can be tested but I don't know. MO use the same type AF you always used. In the past some newer long life AF didn't mix well with old style and was more prone to leaking.
 
Hank
What brand test strips do you use and for what type of
antifreeze? ELC caterpillar?
Michael
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory S

Test strips are for ph. Base is good,...

Click to expand...




Unless SW is mixing in when when the engine cools in case of pinhole leak at the h.exchanger.

I just test for freeze boil protection and still have the A/F replaced every couple years at yard layup in spite of it's being Dexcool. Likely quite excessive but not a big deal.

But, hmmmm, have never replaced the A/F yet in my 2011 SUV. Gofigger. :D
 
Yeah,, if your HE is leaking , you have bigger problems than wondering if it's time to change the antifreeze.
 
My mechanic used a refractometer. It measures burst point. I wouldn't worry about boiling point.
 
If it's due change it just like oil changes or any other maintenance it's cheap insurance. I change mine every five years with a flush and new thermostats also.
 
Walter, you can buy an antifreeze tester at Autozone etc. one side shows you freeze point and the other side gives you boil point. Squeeze the bulb, suck up a sample to fill the chamber and the arrow points to the result.
 
Walter, you can buy an antifreeze tester at Autozone etc. one side shows you freeze point and the other side gives you boil point.
 
Boats need SCA, Supplementary Coolant Additives for corrosion protection, lubricity etc...

Prestone makes an additive that lubricates but I replace mine every 5 yrs.
As others have said, pH should be lower than 7. It is also a good time to change your thermostat.

FWIW, your cars do not run at 75% of WOT for hours at a time like boats do. The potential of reduced coolant properties while at elevated temperatures around seawater gives me the shakes.
 
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