Antifreeze: brands and underlying theory

[1997volvo850]

Are there any advantages to the blue Volvo coolant? I've seen price raised as a major reason to go with
Zerex G-05. In my area only a few places carry Zerex G-05 and it's $19/gal. Volvo blue is $26.50.

Aside from not mixing different coolant types it sounds like coolant type doesn't really make a difference.
That said, I'll likely stick with either Zerex G-05 or Volvo blue.

[abscate]

Volvo blue gives you bragging rights on MVS...that's about it.

The important thing is to not mix types, unless you are like me and replace it every 2-3 years anyhow.

[mecheng]

I think the only way to know if there is a difference is with a long term test. For the price of a fancy latte, I go with the Volvo coolant. Prestone and the like should be only used in a pinch, they are designed to be compatible with a zillion brands, but not optimized and TESTED (keyword) in these cars.
It is kind of like a all season tire, they call it no season for a reason. While I think the Zerex is better, it wasn't tested in the Volvo lab on our engines.

[cn90]

I don't know who makes the Blue-Green stuff for Volvo, but I have mixed with Green Prestone before.
Zero issues.
I don't get too excited when it comes to coolant chemistry debate.

[mecheng]

I don't know who makes the Blue-Green stuff for Volvo, but I have mixed with Green Prestone before.
Zero issues.
I don't get too excited when it comes to coolant chemistry debate.

It could be eating away at your head gasket and you'd never know. Did you tear apart your engine after using prestone? Even the big 3 have their own coolant now. Prestone was popular in the iron block low tech dinosaur age of cars: aka the big american boats.

[charlesb2003]

Just recently changed my radiator to an all aluminum one from DO88, and they say they will only warranty their product if you use genuine Volvo coolant. So I went down to the dealership and got a gallon to mix with distilled water. The coolant was pure blue and had a nice smell to it. The bottle looked like this -



Yesterday I changed my turbo and in the process had to let out a good bit of the coolant so I went back to the dealership and picked up another bottle of coolant. The parts guy said "here's one with a fancy new bottle" and I asked if it was the same stuff as the old and he said yes. The bottle looked like this -



When I opened the bottle I noticed right away that it was more of a blue-green than a pure blue. It also smelled different, more like traditional antifreeze/coolant than the other Volvo coolant I had bought.

Moral of the story, even "Genuine Volvo" coolant isn't always the same. I guess they changed suppliers due to cost or something. I'm slightly worried about mixing the two obviously different formulas but since they are both "Genuine Volvo" at least I've got my warranty issues covered.

[JDS60R]

Working on getting us answers.

Can we mix with old Volvo coolant?
What is in new?
Advantages/disadvantages of each?

Listed ingredient
http://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/cbook.cgi?ID=107-21-1

MSDS attached.

Awaiting Volvo's response

Looking into possible switch to Sodium benzoate 532321 1 - 3%
and
Sodium tetraborate pentahydrate 1330434 1 - 3%

02/05/2016 Update
Volvo wrote back and said to ask the dealer. I called and dealer wants to know why Volvo thinks they would know. "We don't make it and they haven't sent us an ingredient list. "
I called Volvo
Volvo customer care said they don't know who makes it or whats in it. They will investigate but have no time frame and expect it will be a long time before they get back to me.

[polskamafia mjl]

Interesting that they switched coolant. I look forward to hearing what Volvo has to say.

[bmdubya1198]

I like to try and not give into the hype, but I'm a worrier. I'd rather not have to take apart my motor if I don't have to. It seems that running the wrong coolant for long enough may cause serious issues.
Ain't no way in hell I'm paying for Volvo coolant, guess I'll look into Zerex G-05. The Peake in my car or Walmart's Supertech antifreeze I have on the shelf now probably isn't the best choice

[dyn blin]

@ voodoorbaz,

Although boiling point and freezing range may be increased, ethylene glycol is not as efficient in heat transfer a water, so a 50/50 mix might give you better thermal efficiency in your AZ location. Would be interesting to test on one of your sweltering summer days.