Prestone Universal Antifreeze

[Rick99]

I just refilled my wifes 01 T&C with Prestone's Extended Life universal antifreeze this weekend. They advertise it as suitable for "all makes and models". Then I came across RickMN's blog article about universal antifreeze in which he questions the appropriateness of using universal stuff. I did some more research and came across this interesting article about a finding by the National Advertising Division of the National Association of Better Business Bureaus.

They found that the "all makes and models" language is inappropriate and "recommended" that Prestone change the label. Prestone has obviously decided to ignore the recommendation though. Anyway, here's the article:

http://www.gohtsn.com/article_321.shtml

I decided to drain out the Prestone and change to an antifreeze that meets Chrysler's MS9769 specification. Don't get me wrong, I like the Prestone stuff and use it in my 99 Durango, which it is appropriate for, but it's not the right stuff for our vans despite the heavy advertising to the contrary.

[RickMN]

When has anyone ever followed the advice on my blog?

Seriously, Rick99 did some fine detective work here.

Let me get this out right now. I like the guys at Prestone. I just met with them at the AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Expo) in Las Vegas. They make some really good products. Prestone is owned by Honeywell. Honeywell also owns Fram, Autolite, and Bendix.

They make a really good antifreeze. But it's NOT universal. Here's what's driving the "Universal" craze--it's not the anti-freeze companies. It's the auto parts wholesalers and retail stores. They don't want to stock several different kinds of coolants. As it is, they have to stock the green stuff, Dex-Cool, OAT, and pre-mixed (50/50) green and OAT. They really don't want to stock HOAT and low silicate formulas as well. All the coolant manufacturers are facing the same kind of pressure to pare down their offerings.

My take on all of this is that coolant is SO important to prolonging the life of some very expensive parts, like radiators, heater cores, and metal cooling lines, etc, that it simply does not make $$$$ sense to use anything other than OEM if the OEM is different than Dex-Cool, OAT, or Green. What will you save? $20 over a 5 year period? One water pump or radiator will eat those savings in a heartbeat.

Just for the record--I use Genuine Honda coolant in my sister's Odyssey and Genuine Toyota coolant in my son in law's Camry. If I owned a vehicle that called for OAT, I wouldn't hesitate to install Prestone's "Universal" OAT.

[auto_mran]

AGREED!!!

Man oh man. Gone are the days when you could use just about any ATF for your tranny service or coolant for your radiator service. Even motor oil is establishing this kind of trend. What's next--brake fluid? By the way, I hear you can only use Honda brake fluid on their vehicles. Anything else will ruin it. Any truth to this? I've never owned a Honda.

[XDGT03]

It can only be in relationship to seals for the brake fluid. The DOT levels are a constant. Brake fluid is one of those things that don't get enough attention. Changing the fluid is important. The fluid absorbs moisture and can corrode the brake system from the inside out. I use Valvoline Synthetic. You will not notice any improvement but I like the characteristics of synthetic.

As for coolant, I have always used the standard green stuff from Prestone. I have not had an unusual waterpump failure or other coolant related failure since I owned a 1978 Ford Thunderbird with a 460cid. This was likely more maufacturer related than coolant related. I WOULD caution about using universal coolant in systems with special coolant formulas but my experience tells me that if it comes with green then Preston green is A-OK.

I have heard great things about Redline Water Wetter. I have not used it but it seems to make a lot of sense.

[vabear]

Don't know about universal but a few years ago when I was looking for a good anti-freeze for my '88 BMW 750 ,I came across ZEREX G 05 which is a HOAT coolant and I have been using it ever since in all of my cars.

[Rick99]

Don't know about universal but a few years ago when I was looking for a good anti-freeze for my '88 BMW 750 ,I came across ZEREX G 05 which is a HOAT coolant and I have been using it ever since in all of my cars.

Yes, that's what I used in our van (dealers weren't open on Sunday). It is the correct HOAT coolant and also states specifically that it meets the Chrysler MS9769 spec. It's also made by the Valvoline company which seems to have a relationship with Chrysler as they also make ATF+4 and use that TM.

[vabear]

Quick note you can buy ATF+4 at Wal Mart under the MOPAR label for about $4.00 the quart.