The Antifreeze Question

Penhallow · Post by **Penhallow** » 10 Dec 2017, 11:20

I have been searching on the site but nothing appears solid ! It states in the Haynes manual to use Volvo antifreeze, that is O.K. if one is near to an Volvo outlet, SO, is it O.K.to use other antifreeze, would they be compatible ?

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 10 Dec 2017, 11:36

Don't stick just anything in there. Most Volvo's built after 1993 use a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) antifreeze. If you put the wrong antifreeze in, it can corrode the inside of your engine block, diminish the capacity to remove heat.

I use Zerex G-05 both of my Volvos.

Post by **June** » 10 Dec 2017, 12:18

My dealer sells Volvo antifreeze for $20 a gallon. So why use anything else? June

Post by **Rattnalle** » 10 Dec 2017, 13:46

Any regular ethylene glycol antifreeze approved for modern aluminum engines will do fine. This kind of engine has been around for quite a while by now.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Dec 2017, 14:58

June wrote: ↑10 Dec 2017, 12:18 My dealer sells Volvo antifreeze for $20 a gallon. So why use anything else? June

Hmm...car needs one gallon per fill, changing coolant every three years, means $7 a year or 2 gallons of gas cost

Cheap.

Post by **June** » 10 Dec 2017, 15:09

abscate wrote: ↑10 Dec 2017, 14:58
June wrote: ↑10 Dec 2017, 12:18 My dealer sells Volvo antifreeze for $20 a gallon. So why use anything else? June

Hmm...car needs one gallon per fill, changing coolant every three years, means $7 a year or 2 gallons of gas cost

Cheap.

I never thought of it that way. Great point! My thought is why pay the same price for aftermarket Prestone when the Volvo is specifically for our cars. As I posted photos of my coolant tank on another thread which is perfectly clean after 14 years of driving, so clearly Volvo coolant does not react with anything in the cooling system and prevents deposit formation. Also on the burnt valve database, aftermarket coolant is the most common denominator among the cars with the burnt valves. June

Post by **cn90** » 10 Dec 2017, 15:29

I have been using Green Prestone coolant on my BMWs and Volvos for 25 years, replace every 3y/50K or so.
When I last opened the Water Pump in my BMWs and Volvos, the inside looked pristine.

Prestone is $12 at Target.

The question is not the cost, to me Volvo coolant is not better than Prestone as far as I can see it.

If Volvo sells gasoline for $5/gallon, would you buy it?

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 10 Dec 2017, 16:11

There are no color standards for antifreeze. Green could be any of the antifreeze technologies. If you really think the stuff is great, give it some dignity, use the full product name. If one thinks something is not very good, I can understand not taking the time to use the proper name.

Like them telemarketers that don't take the time to say the company name clearly and with dignity. If they don't think the company name is worth a few seconds ... I sure not going to buy from the company.

93SCMax · Post by **93SCMax** » 10 Dec 2017, 16:52

Volvo coolant has worked best for me...I tend to trust the OEM engineers. I've changed/flushed the antifreeze twice in 16 years/145k miles. Also replaced the coolant temperature sensor once. Topped it off when it needed it (not often). System is clean and temp gauge is solid in the center. Will change the coolant again when I do the 2nd timing belt and change the original water pump. Pretty cost effective if you ask me. Why use anything other than Volvo coolant?

Post by **Roger_850T** » 10 Dec 2017, 20:19

When Prestone was $7.99/gallon I would use it.

These days, I find that Prestone is closer to $15/gal, and I can buy the Volvo brand for $20/gal. For that amount, and how often I need to change it, the difference is trivial.

Also, I have had some corrosion issues in the past, using off-brand (cheap) anti-freeze.

These days I just order a gallon or two as needed, usually when I am ordering something else from my usual internet parts sources, and it goes in all my Volvos.

Roger