Antifreeze change interval on 6th gen

[benjamming]

The ATF needs to be changed more often that recommended in the manual on the 6th generation. How about the antifreeze? Anyone have opinions or facts on this?

The manual states 120,000 miles (10 years) then every 60,000 miles (5 years) for normal & severe conditions.

The parts manager at the local dealership recommended every 45,000 miles.

Princess,
What do ya'll do since you change the ATF every 5k miles b/c it's inexpensive?

[Inspector1]

Benjamming,

My routine is 40k -45k and add Nalcool(stabilizer).

When I did mine the 1st time I just flushed thru radiator and did not remove the block plug(before I had jack stands). I planned on doing before winter but with so many things going on I have not done yet. It still looks good and protection level is still -30 deg.

I1:)

By the way good thread:thmsup:

[princess]

We're a bit on the overly protective side....Hey, it's less than 10 bucks! For us it's anually or about 15K, with no flush.

When we've bought used, neglected cars, we'd flush the first couple of changes....then just change it at the "major" service. (30K, or every other year)

We up'd it for no particular reason... I think it's an excuse to play with the new cars.....

:D

I don't trust the manual on this one! They use their own coolant....the jugs say "5 years or 60K"..... so as a rule of thumb, we went about half. So look at the jug of the brand you use..... & don't go past what it says!

Good question though!:thmsup:

[benjamming]

So what is so special about the factory coolant that Honda says can last twice as long as the factor replacement coolant? Sounds like another "Our maintenance costs are lower than xzy car".

[princess]

yep!

[according2me]

I replaced mine initially at ~ 85K and it still looked clear/green.

Your right about the cost. About $12-14 per gallon at dealer if I remember correctly.

At 105k, when water pump/belts changed, dealer replace some also, but I doubt they used the longlife Honda fluid.

Just recently drained/refilled at ~132K. I'll probably go ~30K from now on.

I noticed Prestone just introduced Longlife green stuff to Walmarts shelves. I'll have to read if it's silicate free like Honda recommends.

What's you dealer price for the stuff?

[BenjiBoy650]

Mine was replaced at 108K when the timing belt came off and they replaced the water pump along with it.

[princess]

The "new" Honda blue premix is 3.59 per quart & 9.96 per gallon at the dealer...I have no idea what WE pay.... whatever cost plus 10% is......:confused:

[according2me]

Blue??? Can't they leave the colors alone? My longlife type 2 premixed Honda fluid was dark green.

[princess]

They changed it so it was different than the other stuff..... it's a whole new formula, I guess...

[according2me]

HHMMM...Assuming the two fluids are compatible, what color is created by mixing blue and green?

Aqua??????

[princess]

Being partial to blue....I won't ne mixing!:D

I wonder if it has that same sweet, distinctive smell???:confused: I have some in the garage, but I'm not opening it to sniff.....I'll find out eventually.

I also wonder if the new formula is as appealing to animals.....they seem to like the old stuff. My, not so brigh,t cat that was run over a couple of years ago would drink coolant....she lived to be 19 years old! Still playful & active...

[benjamming]

Type II was about $12 with tax. Green in color.
Blue coolant? I have never heard of that. I imagine it is still ethylene glycol. I don't know of any OEM that recommends propylene glycol. In other words, I still wouldn't mix it in with Kitty's water bowl.

[princess]

We didn't GIVE it to her! This was when we did a bunch of side work & people would drop off their broken Hondas in front of our house....if they leaked into the gutter....she didn't care, she'd drink it anyway! Dumb cat! I sure miss her!

The blue stuff Is Honda's type 2 "ready to use, non-silicate/non-borate with de-mineralized water"..... contains ethylene glycol. I'm reading the jug....:D

I think they only changed the color so it's easy to tell they're ready mix from the other stuff.....you know how brainy some of those techs are......:joker:

[Inspector1]

Here's a site if you want to read about coolant and new variations
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/index.html

I1:)