Have heard that mixing regular antifreeze with the extended use kind (5 yrs) can cause corrosion rather than stop it.
Anyone got the REAL SKINNY on this?
Mixing antifreeze types?
Mixing antifreeze types?
Give a boy a gun-give a biatch a cell phone-and pretty soon you almost got yourself a police state.
Orwell said: War is peace! Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength...
Orwell said: War is peace! Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength...
All I know is that Ethylene and Propylene Glycol's do not mix well. I've been told its not advised. I'd recommend flushing with water then doing Propylene. Better corrosion resistance and longer life. Just less of a temp range.
RIP 10-07- 1984 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
There is ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. They are two different bases. The there are different corrosion packages, conventional and OAT. The propylene and ethylene glycol's can mix, at least they are more compatible than the OAT and conventional corrosion packages. Even they can be mixed a little, that is if you do a drain and refill with the other product, it will be ok as long as you drain both the block and radiator.
You can also mix them under emergency conditions, but replace with one or the other as soon as possible. If they are left together too long, they cancel each other so rust and corrosion can occur. The OAT (aka Dexcol) has a reputation for gelling up if exposed to air for to long, that may just be an urban myth, but a lot of people avoid it. Personally, its been in my Saturn for over 5 years now and I haven't had a problem with it. As far as I know, the OAT is only used with ethylene glycol.
There is a new conventional corrosion package that is supposed to be compatible with both the old formula and Dexcol. It is also available in both the propylene and ethylene glycol's. It is probably the most commonly available today.
You can also mix them under emergency conditions, but replace with one or the other as soon as possible. If they are left together too long, they cancel each other so rust and corrosion can occur. The OAT (aka Dexcol) has a reputation for gelling up if exposed to air for to long, that may just be an urban myth, but a lot of people avoid it. Personally, its been in my Saturn for over 5 years now and I haven't had a problem with it. As far as I know, the OAT is only used with ethylene glycol.
There is a new conventional corrosion package that is supposed to be compatible with both the old formula and Dexcol. It is also available in both the propylene and ethylene glycol's. It is probably the most commonly available today.
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I've heard good things about HOAT coolants like G-05. Zerex sells it.
According to Master Technician magazine, DexCool isn't all that great. They recommend replacing it once a car's warranty is up. VW coolant is apparently very similar to DexCool. The magazine seems to like the G-05 or the traditional green stuff.
I'd try to avoid mixing different types of coolant.
According to Master Technician magazine, DexCool isn't all that great. They recommend replacing it once a car's warranty is up. VW coolant is apparently very similar to DexCool. The magazine seems to like the G-05 or the traditional green stuff.
I'd try to avoid mixing different types of coolant.