Prestone Extended Life Coolant... Re-flush?

[Gergify]

So I was doing my post 100k tune up which included a coolant change. Having never owned anything newer than 15+ years, I was surprised to find crystal clear coolant (pink) pour out. Guess it didn't need to be changed......

I had bought Prestone Extended life (green, no silicates). I had no choice but to run a few gals of distilled water through and add it, as I needed to car and the dealership was closed.

Now the internet has gotten me paranoid that I have done some irreversible damage to my coolant system. I can't seem to find any concrete info. Some people say you can only use the OEM toyota stuff, some people say it really doesn't matter as they are all basically the same.

Should I bite the bullet, reflush and add Toyota coolant? Or am I good with the Prestone until the next change?

[CoryM]

Well there is a can of worms......

Basically what it comes down to is whether or not it has 2-EHA in it or not. That is the part that affects the acidity of the coolant (it's in Dex-cool, and not in Toyota coolants). If the coolant does not have 2-EHA, you should be fine. Personally, I run Toyota coolant after all the issues they had in the past from incorrect coolants. Just not worth the risk.

Cheers.

[Gergify]

Originally Posted by CoryM

Well there is a can of worms......

Basically what it comes down to is whether or not it has 2-EHA in it or not. That is the part that affects the acidity of the coolant (it's in Dex-cool, and not in Toyota coolants). If the coolant does not have 2-EHA, you should be fine. Personally, I run Toyota coolant after all the issues they had in the past from incorrect coolants. Just not worth the risk.

Cheers.

It does :(

http://econtent.autozone.com:24999/z...s/en/US/525501

[Exiwolfman]

Originally Posted by Gergify

So I was doing my post 100k tune up which included a coolant change. Having never owned anything newer than 15+ years, I was surprised to find crystal clear coolant (pink) pour out. Guess it didn't need to be changed......

I had bought Prestone Extended life (green, no silicates). I had no choice but to run a few gals of distilled water through and add it, as I needed to car and the dealership was closed.

Now the internet has gotten me paranoid that I have done some irreversible damage to my coolant system. I can't seem to find any concrete info. Some people say you can only use the OEM toyota stuff, some people say it really doesn't matter as they are all basically the same.

Should I bite the bullet, reflush and add Toyota coolant? Or am I good with the Prestone until the next change?

Toyota coolant only should be used .

[tmontague]

If I were you I'd purchase Toyota coolant as soon as you can and replace the coolant you have in there now with a flush.

There is a company called OEM that recently started selling their coolants at Canadian Tire for various brands and their specific colors (sold in black jugs). They are made from the factory that actually makes coolant for Toyota and I'm assuming other manufacturers as well.

This coolant isn't much cheaper than going to the dealership but if you get it on sale ($22CAD for a gallon for the concentrated stuff) it's a bit cheaper than the Toyota stuff and it is rated at 5years/250,000km. For me it is more convenient to go toCT than the dealership that's why I use it. I have checked the MSDS sheet and the coolant is the exact same as Toyota Long life pink stuff.

Based on my research and forum reading this is the only option other than Toyota that is the exact same coolant and not something "compatible" or "similar".

I wouldn't worry about your engine if you replace the prestone soon. I topped up my Echo's overflow with prestone (asian vehicles) when my fiancee purchased my it years ago and ran it like that for around 20,000 or so km before I realized the issue and changed it to factory coolant. That being said it was very little amount to the point where the coolant still looked pink.

You'll be fine, just swap it out as soon as possible.

fwiw I'd recommend using deionized water and not tap water to fill it. If you're like me and plan on changing the coolant every 5 years you won't want build up of calcium and other crap in your cooling system. After having to clean my humidifier after 6 months of use when it was full of calcified crud I won't hesitate to spend $3 a gallon for the deionized water for a piece of mind.

[fnkngrv]

The only coolants I would ever use for any real length of time would be Toyota or AMSOIL.

Sent from m-o-b-i-l-e

[bail_w]

Toyota coolant is recommended, but Zerex Asian Coolant would work fine too.

[mimelio]

Originally Posted by bail_w

Toyota coolant is recommended, but Zerex Asian Coolant would work fine too.

http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/Zer...l_Bulletin.pdf

ZEREX™ Asian Vehicle contains no silicates, borates, 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA), amines or nitrites. It is compatible with premium long life Asian coolants, both for service and factory fill. Valvoline recommends ZEREX Asian Vehicle for all late model Asian vehicles. It is dyed light violet to distinguish its unique chemistry from traditional coolants and to promote color compatibility.

[Rigaud]

Toyota coolant only.

[xdarkxfirex]

Geez another coolant thread. All make and model coolant is fine. If you wanna be more careful, chose one that is compatible. Will it cause problems? Likely not.


I called one shop and they told me to use dexcool, which is the worst coolant anyone can use, even on cars that require them.