Antifreeze: brands and underlying theory

[cn90]

Have used Prestone in many Volvos and BMWs for 20 years zero issues.

If you want to see the inside of the engine block of my 1998 BMW 528i with 160K miles (always had Prestone for > 10 years, changed every 3 years or so), see the photo.

So stop the worry, buy the Green Prestone at local Walmart for $13/gallon, mix with distilled water and move on.
If you feel that Volvo coolant is better, then by all means buy the Volvo coolant, I don't b/c I don't give in to "fear" created by car mfg's.

People who bash Prestone saying it is used for American cars (American engines worse than Volvo engine???) and boats etc. don't know what they are talking about. Prestone is a reputable company.

[abscate]

@ 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.

Its a much better test to drive under heavy load rather than the ambient temperature. People think hot weather 'loads' their cooling system but in fact the temperature gradient, in absolute temperature between 68F and 100F is much less important than the heat generated under load vs light load - you might need 50 HP for ambling along, but 250 HP at full load - a 5x difference in heat generation.

[erikv11]

Zerex G-05 is $18 a gallon and is the chemistry Volvo recommends, why on earth cut this tiny little corner?

For what boils (or doesn't boil, it's coolant!) down to maybe $3 per year difference, I just go with what the owner's manual says.

[abscate]

I think Auto Fora flamed out on oil change interval threads and had to find a new whipping boy to thrash to death....

[JDS60R]

Updated yesterdays post - Volvo was no help

Old coolant part numbers being superseded by this one suggest that its fine to use but I would like to know the ingredients.

I'm still waiting back from a few folks in the industry I know. If I find something I will post it.

[mecheng]

Have used Prestone in many Volvos and BMWs for 20 years zero issues.

If you want to see the inside of the engine block of my 1998 BMW 528i with 160K miles (always had Prestone for > 10 years, changed every 3 years or so), see the photo.

So stop the worry, buy the Green Prestone at local Walmart for $13/gallon, mix with distilled water and move on.
If you feel that Volvo coolant is better, then by all means buy the Volvo coolant, I don't b/c I don't give in to "fear" created by car mfg's.

People who bash Prestone saying it is used for American cars (American engines worse than Volvo engine???) and boats etc. don't know what they are talking about. Prestone is a reputable company.

The American cars I owned in the 80s were boats and were utter crap. I was so happy to get rid of my 80s Olds Toronado it was an absolute nightmare everything failed on it, it used Prestone green and I'm not sure how much its changed since then but engines sure have. Most are aluminum and develop more heat (ie Smaller and higher reving). I can't say for certain it is no good in Volvo engines but I can say most things it life which are universal fit/fluid are not optimized. In my Honda, Prestone caused all kinds of coolant leaks, which dissapeared as soon as I switched to Honda fluid.
I couldn't believe it, but it was like night and day; the rubber on the seals didn't like it.

For me, like @erik11 the price difference is peanuts and the Volvo dealer is on my way home and @abscate has a good point regarding heat generated. I'm most interested in hearing about Volvo's fluid change.

[bmdubya1198]

Zerex G-05 is $18 a gallon and is the chemistry Volvo recommends, why on earth cut this tiny little corner?

For what boils (or doesn't boil, it's coolant!) down to maybe $3 per year difference, I just go with what the owner's manual says.

This is the route I think I'm going. Advance auto carries Zerex, and it's not very expensive at all, $15 or so for the 50/50.
I agree with cn90 in the sense that there really isn't anything wrong with using something like Prestone, but there is a sense of extra security that we feel when using a higher end antifreeze. I get that.
My final opinion: use whatever you feel comfortable with. It seems HOAT would be preferred, whatever coolant you may use.

[cn90]

I have used Zerex in the past, I don't care for it.

I have used Prestone Green for 25 years in my Hondas (ASccord, Civic, Odyssey V6), BMWs and Volvos, engine blocks always in pristine condition.
Why should I care about another brand?

If Volvo sells gasoline tomorrow, do we have to buy Volvo gasoline lol?

I refuse to give in to the scare tactic by the mfgs.
Every car makers say the same thing.

In the Honda manual it says "Use only Honda coolant, any other coolant may cause corrosion." I just laugh...

Ditto with Volvo and BMW owners manual, same scare tactic just to make them richer.

[cn90]

...In my Honda, Prestone caused all kinds of coolant leaks, which dissapeared as soon as I switched to Honda fluid.
I couldn't believe it, but it was like night and day; the rubber on the seals didn't like it.

For me, like @erik11 the price difference is peanuts and the Volvo dealer is on my way home and @abscate has a good point regarding heat generated. I'm most interested in hearing about Volvo's fluid change.

This is non-sense re Prestone.

It is not the price that matters, it is the principle, we need to stand up to corporation scare tactic.

[bmdubya1198]

I have used Zerex in the past, I don't care for it.

I have used Prestone Green for 25 years in my Hondas (ASccord, Civic, Odyssey V6), BMWs and Volvos, engine blocks always in pristine condition.
Why should I care about another brand?

If Volvo sells gasoline tomorrow, do we have to buy Volvo gasoline lol?

I refuse to give in to the scare tactic by the mfgs.
Every car makers say the same thing.

In the Honda manual it says "Use only Honda coolant, any other coolant may cause corrosion." I just laugh...

Ditto with Volvo and BMW owners manual, same scare tactic just to make them richer.

Same with my BMW's manual, it says to use only BMW oil. What happens if I don't, will it blow up?
I'm not one to give into factory-only fluid recommendations. Factory spec, sure, but I'm not going to use BMW or Volvo blue coolant, or the BMW motor oil that is likely no different than the Mobil 1 I use, just because the manual says so.