Coolant change frequency

[FrancisA]

Hey All
I am looking at sticking with a 3 year change frequency averaging about 4K a year. Am I overcooking it or am I playing safe?

[NDA]

Is that what the handbook recommends?

Engine services are generally every two years, 3 years sounds a bit out of sync.

[FrancisA]

NDA said:

Is that what the handbook recommends?

Engine services are generally every two years, 3 years sounds a bit out of sync.

I am not talking about the minor and major service. I am specifically talking about changing the coolant which it is proposed should be changed every 50/60K miles. That is an awful long time in the life of a car. The theory of long life oils and liquids has been challenged by specialists who say don't take it at face value. The reason being that the liquids breakdown over time and do not offer the protection promised by manufacturers.

[supermono]

I read 2 year service, 2 year brake fluid, 4 year coolant. I'm not sure coolant gets much of a hard life honestly and is more time than mileage based so on your usage I'd have said 4 years is ideal. Plus it doesn't go out of kilter with the rest of it meaning you'll have to go in purely for a coolant change.

[NDA]

supermono said:

Plus it doesn't go out of kilter with the rest of it meaning you'll have to go in purely for a coolant change.

That was the point I was attempting to make.

[FrancisA]

NDA said:

supermono said:

Plus it doesn't go out of kilter with the rest of it meaning you'll have to go in purely for a coolant change.

That was the point I was attempting to make.

Thanks for the input both. I am skeptical about the long life fluids. Porsche are the only manufacturer that apply the 2 year rule on services and it does not add up to me. I think you need an engine oil change every year. However on the coolant I take your point about maybe it does not take such a hammering. From what I researched suggestions swing between the 2 year mark and the 4 year mark. It has been 3 years since the last change hence my desire to get it done.

[scrounger73]

BMW and VW also have 2 year servicing. Personally I'd stick to whatever the manufacturer states unless you're tracking the car. Oil changes I get but coolant seems to be a bit OTT.

[Ed.Neumann]

Modern coolant in a sealed system will easily last 10 years. Not saying to run it for 10 years and 100,000 miles, but 4 or 5 years or 60k miles is more than enough.

Check the colour, if it is still nice and bright it is fine.


Don't put too much in either. 100% water is the most efficient in cooling, but obviously can cause issues in regards to freezing, boiling point and corrosion, 40% coolant 60% water is good down to around -35ºc and cools a bit better than say 60/40.

[FrancisA]

Ed.Neumann said:

Modern coolant in a sealed system will easily last 10 years. Not saying to run it for 10 years and 100,000 miles, but 4 or 5 years or 60k miles is more than enough.

Check the colour, if it is still nice and bright it is fine.


Don't put too much in either. 100% water is the most efficient in cooling, but obviously can cause issues in regards to freezing, boiling point and corrosion, 40% coolant 60% water is good down to around -35ºc and cools a bit better than say 60/40.

Thanks for the advice Ed - I am going in for an oil service in a couple of weeks. I will just ask the mechanics to confirm the state of the coolant. If as you say it is still nice and bright (suggested on other forums) I will save the money. The car has done 20K and had it's last change 3 years ago so I might well be overcooking this.