Coolant

What would be an ok alternative to Honda Brand coolant for my 98 Civic
? Keep hearing if you don't use Honda brand, your asking for trouble,
and I just can't believe that.

 

I and some others here use the orange Havoline Dexcool. It
has some commentary on the packaging suggesting it's okay
for Honda's aluminum engines.

I have been using it since 2002 without problems. Changed it
once since then, last year. Looked pretty clean, with maybe
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of brown and white sandy residue coming
out.

Do not use Prestone green or Prestone anything.

 

i've been using orange extended life prestone for years and have never
had a problem. it's aluminum safe, meets g.m.'s dex-cool spec, and from
woolmort, doesn't cost too much. next thing is to use distilled water
as dilutant - prevents minerals crudding up the system and initiating
corrosion.

 

The reason for the Honda recomendation is it lubricates the water pump,
which if fails is a major cost. So why kick a sleeping dog, stick with the
Honda anti freeze.

Tom

 

For the life of me, I can understand WHY you want to use other than Honda,
unless it's not available. Even if it cost a few bux more, you are not
changing it every day, so why take a chance?

G-Man

 

For the life of you, you can't understand that it's more
convenient to buy orange Havoline Dexcool at Wal-Mart for a
lot less money?

 

Again, how freakin' often are you changing this stuff? And to be honest,
going to my dealer is a LOT easier than getting in and out of Wal-Fart!

But hey, to each his own!

G-Man

 

There are certain items that one should ensure that are OEM but
antifreeze ain't on of 'em.

If large manufacturers like Prestone etc. were offering products that
were clearly not compatible, they would be loaded with lawsuits in
today's litigant society.

I think (as others have mentioned) that the more important ingredient is
distilled water as the diluting agent.

JT

 

How about Prestone, 5/150 Extended Life coolant ?

 

I haven't seen reports on it, one way or the other, here.
The orange Havoline Dexcool is proven, in my mind, based on
reports here and my own experience.

I would think the prices are similar for the Prestone
extended life and Havoline Dexcool and so would go with
what's proven for now.

 

Personally I wouldn't risk it. How often do you do a coolant change,
once every five years? I stick with the recommended coolant. Maybe it
is just me, but I don't trust "universal" product claims for coolants or
lubricants.

JOhn

 

When the chemists at the antifreeze company design the products they
sell, one of the things they look at is the water available to the user.

Honda designed its coolant around Japanese water; Prestone et al
designed theirs around American water. The difference in the coolant is
that the non-Honda coolant contains sodium silicate; Honda coolant is
silicate-free. Put silicated antifreeze in a car that requires
silicate-free coolant and it will eventually eat the bearings in the
water pump.

I must now point out that, except for Honda, every Japanese automaker is
capable of building a water pump that will last if there's silicated
antifreeze in the car. I must also point out that the Honda water pump
used in the cars Honda makes in the United States is also made here.

I can kinda see why Richard wants to get away from Honda Genuine
coolant; the Honda dealer in Fayetteville, NC, charges around $11 for
one gallon of this product AND IT'S 50/50 PREMIX! Twenty-two dollars to
change the coolant in a 1986 Accord LX-I? No thank you!

I've been running the Prestone "all makes all models mixes with
anything" coolant in my car and so far it looks real good.

--jm

 

My local dealer charges $14/gal for the stuff. Since it's pre-mixed(which I
wasn't aware of until I saw the container) I had to buy two containers.....
$28! OUCH. The stuff must be liquid gold. Thank goodness I won't have to
change it again for several years.

 

And how often do you have to spend that $22?