Is this thread still accurate. I heard they changed the antifrreze type. Prestone has a product to replace bothtypes.. it that safe to use?

 

ABout 2012 FORD changed the trucks to ORANGE coolant instead of the Long Life Yellow.

The FORD spec for ORANGE is the same as GM DEXCOOL.. You can buy that at Wal Mart or Auto Store.. DO NOT use UNIVERSAL fluid. Orange and Yellow can NOT be mixed.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-ecoboost.html

 

Prestone has been around long enough with a good reputation. I would never doubt the quality or compatibility of their antifreeze.

 

Preston is GREAT if it is ORANGE and DEXCOOL ................ if it says UNIVERSAL and is Yellow... don't do it.

 

It's been a while since I thought about this but if memory serves....

Green = inorganic acid = 2-3 years of life....what we grew up with
Orange = organic acid = 5-6 years of life
Ford yellow = Honda blue = Toyota pink = hybrid organic acid = 6-7 years of life
Never mix colors

They all pretty much use the same thing for boil over or freeze protection. Where they differ is in protecting the metal from corrosion. I'm sure I could completely flush my 2012 6.2 and convert over to Ford yellow but it's too much effort for what I get in return. What I do instead is drain what I can and replace it every 3 years (you can get about half).

 

Good, simple info in this thread. If you aren't willing to do a complete drain and flush don't even think about switching fluids. Over 100k+ miles on my 2011 with the Ford Orange (aka Dex-cool) and no issues. I did get it flushed at the 5 year mark at 80k miles at the dealer. Now I just do yearly radiator drain & refills and don't worry about it. The overflow tank is spotless clean. FWIW I do use the Motorcraft coolant because it runs about the same price as anything else at a local retailer.

 

That's interesting on $$$.. Around here the PRESTON cost $14.... and you can hardly find MOTOCRAFT Orange. When you do it is $50. gallon....... ( this is Concentrate, not the 50-50 mix).

 

I had my local dealer do the coolant replacement this past early fall and he charged me $22 per gallon. Not too bad, well worth it for someone else to do it and have a complete flush and replacement. Total cost was $189 and about 1 1/2 hrs.

 

Are you serious? There is plenty of compatibility issues. Try mixing HOAT coolant with OAT or a ELC.

 

Which Prestone are you mixing with those coolants? Does the version of Prestone you're using say it's compatible with those or are you assuming they are?

 

alloro, the point is many companies are selling a "UNIVERSAL COOLANT"... that they say "MIXES WITH EVERYTHING"... which is BS as ford390 said.............. the only Preston coolant that you can use in a FORD truck post 2012 would be DEXCOOL which meets the FORD spec for ORANGE.......... you can not use the UNIVERSAL YELLOW, no matter what they claim.

 

I was specifically talking about Prestone, so then the question at hand for you would be does Prestone offer a universal coolant that they say mixes with everything and does not?

 

Prestone is aware that it truly isn't a universal mix, they cover themselves in fine print and they also make OE specific coolants for specific makes.

Gates warning about mixing different coolant types

“Corrosion inhibitors and additives from one coolant can negate the effects of inhibitors in another coolant. Corrosion can take over well before 5000 miles and then the car is back in the shop with a leaking water pump and clogged radiator and heater core.

Topping off the system is a common practice at many shops. This can begin the corrosion process unless the proper coolant is used. Most shops use Universal antifreeze because it says on the container that it is OK to mix with any color coolant. But, take a look at the back of the bottle. They all either recommend or require a drain, flush and fill to experience the expected corrosion protection.”

Mixing different types of antifreezes can reduce their corrosion protection and can actually lead to corrosion problems. Engine manufacturers recommend a 10% limit on mixing coolant types. If you add more than 10%, it is recommended that you flush the system and replace the antifreeze—EET Corporation

Gates Bulletin TT002-13

Ford warning about mixing different coolant types

“John Conville, a coolant expert at Ford Motor Co., emphasizes that Ford does not recommend the use of any specific aftermarket coolants in their vehicles (unless approved). “…the only aftermarket coolants that Ford recommends are the appropriate Motorcraft brand engine coolants.” With the use of non-approved coolants, Ford is concerned about “corrosion of metals and incompatibility with some of the polymeric materials we use in our vehicles.”

Chrysler warning about mixing different coolant types

Chrysler states: “Mixing of coolants other than those specified (i.e. non-HOAT) may result in engine damage that may not be covered under the new vehicle warranty, and decreased corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT coolant is introduced to the cooling system in an emergency, it should be replaced with the specified coolant as soon as possible."

Toyota warning about mixing different coolant types

Toyota, which has long life and super long life non-silicated products, too, does not advocate the use of non-genuine antifreeze/coolants. Toyota Motor Sales’ Bill Kwong in product communications explains that other formulas tested didn’t provide the same performance. “Evaluations of competitive formulations have been made in simulation and field tests, showing (Toyota’s) product superior in water pump seal protection, leakage and deposit formation.” It’s uncertain whether he’s referring to competitive OEM or aftermarket formulas.

Ford articulated that the automaker doesn’t believe a universal formula could work properly in all vehicles by distributing a Q&A document to their dealer network and other public channels. It says, “Due to the complexity of cooling systems, no one coolant has been proven to work in all vehicles,” and “use of non-approved ‘universal’ engine coolants may lead to eventual engine damage or failure. Problems caused by the use of non-approved ‘universal’ coolants may not arise immediately but may occur over longer periods of time due to additive compatibility issues.” Conville says they do not have specific test results on such coolants because “there are many different coolants in the North American aftermarket and Ford does not have the resources to test them all.”

Some aftermarket chemical makers share stances similar to the OEMs. The Valvoline Co., a division of Ashland Inc. and the maker of Zerex® antifreeze products, recommends following the OEM’s formulation suggestions. Valvoline’s David Turcotte, technical director of the company’s Technology and Product Development division, believes that in some instances of damage, “cause and effect isn’t always obvious.” Other than the apparent compromises in performance, much of the physical damage caused by improper coolant use is not noticed until the cooling system is dismantled, said Turcotte at a recent product presentation.

GM warning about coolant types

Consumers need to be careful of what they buy because it’s a chemical manufacturer’s job to sell coolant and they “enhance their ability to sell coolant by making claims that a coolant is compatible with all the carmakers. We know from the formula that some of them don’t work.” GM spokesperson Lockwood