Coolant Type: Fear, uncertainty, and doubt ('05 xc70)

[EamonnMR]

Recently I had my coolant replaced. I drove out and bam! Low coolant level (which went away almost as quickly so I think it was right on the edge.) So I did what I always do; poured some coolant into the resovor. I used the universal coolant (bright green) that I always used for my '00.

So, after some googling I find out that some people use the universal light green and some people use the oem spec dark green. Oh crap, I think, I thought green was green and didn't closely inspect what they'd put in there. It's hard to tell, but I think they might have filled the system with the dark green, and I topped it off with the light green!

Based on further reading, I think that I'm ok; as long as you don't mix the orange and green it shouldn't turn into goo and destroy the engine. But I'm not sure if I should get the oem spec and use that from now on, keep using the universal stuff, or flush my cooling system and hope I didn't just pour gum into my radiator

[abscate]

I use the Volvo stuff from FCP but it is hard to buy on-compatible coolants nowadays.

Remember to change every30k

[June]

Abscate is correct! In 2005 Volvo coolant was blue. The current greenish blue coolant cane with the Drive-e engines. June

[oragex]

I found the genuine concentrate color most confusing, can see in this video at 20:00 mixed with distilled water