Can you put old antifreeze in your car?

No matter what happens, do not pour your old antifreeze down the drain. Despite the fact that it is somewhat diluted by water in the engine, antifreeze contains toxic chemicals like ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and methanol — all of which are toxic to humans and animals alike.

What happens to antifreeze when it gets old?

Yes, engine coolant does go bad. Older fluid may cause acid buildup, may become contaminated by rust or scaling, and may have reduced resistance to boiling and freezing. Deteriorated coolant/antifreeze may cause your engine to run hotter than normal or keep the engine from starting in colder temperatures.

Is antifreeze the same for all cars?

Different vehicles require different coolants. There are varieties for every type of vehicle, from diesel engines to American, Asian and European vehicles. Each one is specifically formulated to keep its designated engine type running in extreme temperatures.

How long is antifreeze shelf life?

A sealed bottle of antifreeze has an indefinite shelf life. Once opened, it will keep for years if stored in the original container. Antifreeze — coolant that has not been mixed with water — tends to last even longer than pre-mixed engine coolant, though both last for years.

Do you have to put OE antifreeze in your car?

Unless you’re using universal antifreeze, of course, which is formulated to be compatible with all OE antifreeze. Be sure to add your vehicle to select the correct coolant for your vehicle before purchase. Did You Know? More is not always better.

What’s the best antifreeze and coolant for cars?

Protection to -34 degrees F: Try Prestone 50/50 Antifreeze/Coolant or Carquest Extended Life 50/50 Antifreeze/Coolant, which can be poured directly from the bottle. Antifreeze/coolant safer for animals: Use Prestone Coolant LowTox. It’s less toxic to pets and wildlife if ingested.

How often should you change your coolant and antifreeze?

You should change your coolant at your manufacturer’s recommended interval. Most guidelines suggest flushing your cooling system and replacing conventional coolant every one to two years, but some extended life antifreeze can last up to five years.

When do you add antifreeze to a radiator?

Turn the cap counterclockwise to open it, and add your manufacturer-recommended antifreeze until the radiator is full, or the coolant overflow bottle is filled to the “COLD” line. If you’re draining and refilling the system, do not add antifreeze — continue to the next step.

How often should I Change my antifreeze in my car?

It is an orange color, to truly differentiate it, and is an extended-life coolant, known to work up to 100,000 miles. There are also a number of people out there who believe this antifreeze has destroyed their cars, and a class action lawsuit was filed against the company, claiming the coolant should really be changed every 50,000 miles.

Are there different colors of antifreeze for different cars?

Here’s a fun fact: antifreeze starts out colorless. All the green, orange, red, pink, amber, and blue coolants you see on the shelves are dyed. Coolant manufacturers don’t add color to their antifreeze just to make it look pretty though.

Unless you’re using universal antifreeze, of course, which is formulated to be compatible with all OE antifreeze. Be sure to add your vehicle to select the correct coolant for your vehicle before purchase. Did You Know? More is not always better.

What kind of antifreeze do you use on a Chevy truck?

Hybrid Extended-Life Coolants. These hybrid extended-life coolants can be used on Chevy cars and trucks as long as the chemistry matches up. Again, refer to the owner’s manual to be sure. These antifreezes use organic acids and silicates to protect aluminum surfaces.