Which coolant?

[Strattos]

I've been search our forums for the past two weeks for a straight-ish answer on what coolant to use in my XR8 - it seems there are almost as many opinions on coolant as there are on what oil to use!

I was just going to play it safe and buy the Ford coolant from the dealership even though was probably going to be pretty pricey, but read that it's no good and some dealerships don't even use it. They use Nissan stuff instead.

I've also read that long-life coolant can damage your cooling system and a heap of other comments about a heap of other coolants.

Just so I can settle on something that is reasonably proven by you guys, is it safe to use Tectaloy Xtra Cool Gold?

If not what would you recommend? If it makes a difference, I live in a dry climate, where it gets pretty hot in summer (heaps of days over 35 and into the 40s) and can get down to zero first thing in the morning in winter.

[robbyj]

the bright green premixed stuff from any auto store..
last sunday was an extremely hot day, plus running the car around the track all day. It works perfectly fine.

[Papa Smurf]

Originally Posted by Strattos

I was just going to play it safe and buy the Ford coolant from the dealership even though was probably going to be pretty pricey, but read that it's no good and some dealerships don't even use it. They use Nissan stuff instead.

I've also read that long-life coolant can damage your cooling system and a heap of other comments about a heap of other coolants.

Matey, I worked in Ford dealerships for over 20 years and I have NEVER heard of them NOT using Genuine Coolant. If they have a warranty job involving the cooling system they HAVE to use Genuine coolant or, if the part they replace is faulty and another dealer has to replace the part and the mechanic is savvy, Ford will hear of it and the Dealer responsible gets a lot of flack and could be asked to PAY for the part and job.

Coolant you buy from Auto stores is mainly water where as the Genuine stuff is concentrated. Choose wisely and don't mix brands of coolant, different colours don't always play nice together.

[MGGT RAA]

I've recently made the switch to genuine Toyota red coolant, never seen the dial sit so low on the gauge....

[BOTTLEDUP]

To the OP there's nothing wrong IMO with using the Xtracool Gold, but whichever coolant you do choose make sure that the system is thoroughly clean beforehand. I've been holding off changing my coolant but when I do it I'll be using the Nulon Long Life Red Concentrate:
Red Long Life Concentrated Coolant

[Strattos]

Thanks guys.

Papa, good to hear from someone in the know re the Ford coolant.

Thanks for the other options.

[peterljohnson55]

Here is how Valvoline package their different Zerex coolants for different applications. Other companies will proabably have a similar chart, and they may be worth chasing down. Not sure if Zerex is available in Aus. http://www.englefieldoil.com/PDF/Zerex_chart.pdf

[Pepscobra]

Stick with the genuine Ford stuff.

[mik]

If you swap over to the toyota red stuff you should do a very good flush, apparently it mixes with the green stuff like oil and water and could leave residue on metal with no coolant/inhibitor, this is what I have read anyway,
* you Must have corrosion inhibitors in modern cooling systems regardless of the brand, or else face likely expensive repairs not too far down the track.

[GK]

Originally Posted by peterljohnson55

Here is how Valvoline package their different Zerex coolants for different applications. Other companies will proabably have a similar chart, and they may be worth chasing down. Not sure if Zerex is available in Aus. http://www.englefieldoil.com/PDF/Zerex_chart.pdf

I bought some Zerex a few years back to get me out of some trouble whilst on holiday interstate. Haven't really noticed it lately, but honestly haven't been looking for it.

BTW it was the green stuff, not red.

GK

[Bushbasher]

I have used the Nulon Ultra Cool concentrate for years now in both our cars and never had an issue, that's just the regular concentrate, not the long life. Flush the system and fill with rain water then just up end the entire bottle into the reservoir and jobs right. It says good for 20L so the 15L or so of the ford system makes for a good strong mix and at under $20 a bottle from most of the auto stores it works out cheaper than most of the other options.



Bushbasher

[Strattos]

Thanks Bushbasher. You got in ahead of me.

Ended up going with Nulon. Job done on the weekend.

Best thing about doing maintenance I reckon is going for a drive straight after.

Just feels better driving around knowing you've got fresh oil, coolant etc in your car.