Careful who you loan your pickup to.

[Mightyfordranger]

So a buddy needed my truck for an afternoon. Cool just check the fluids. Says he added some coolant but I think my 07 f150 takes that special gold coolant. And ya can't mix green and gold can you? Anyway can't be too mad at the dude he didn't know and did what I asked. Oh well do I need to change my coolant now? Drain flush and refill?

 

[RonD]

You can mix gold with green or red

Gold/yellow is the hybrid(silicate/OAT) long life stuff

Can't/shouldn't mix green(silicate) and red/pink(OAT)


And just FYI, there is no "color" standard for coolant, coolant makers generally follow the green, red, yellow pattern but there is no requirement to do so

 

[CrabGuy]

Maybe it's just me, but I would make sure all the fluids were up to snuff BEFORE loaning it out. Expecting a friend to even consider maintenance on my vehicles would be a bad decision...my friends ain't that bright.

 

[racsan]

I miss the days of ONE “coolant fluid”. This long-life crap is overrated, sooner or later you need a water pump, radiator or some other reason to open up the cooling system. I sure ain’t putting back what Ive drained.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Maybe it's just me, but I would make sure all the fluids were up to snuff BEFORE loaning it out. Expecting a friend to even consider maintenance on my vehicles would be a bad decision...my friends ain't that bright.

My friends are nothing more than loveable idiots.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I wouldn't worry. Flush it you want peace of mind. Tell your friend to bring a six pack and a jug to haul out your old coolant.

 

[Mightyfordranger]

Maybe it's just me, but I would make sure all the fluids were up to snuff BEFORE loaning it out. Expecting a friend to even consider maintenance on my vehicles would be a bad decision...my friends ain't that bright.

Well my friends and I always drive garbage so he's not helpless on the wrenches ya know. We horse trade alot and all of our stuff leaks something just how it is ya know. It's normal to ask for a tractor, mini ex, truck, etc. And be told it's fine just check the fluids before you take it.

But your point is valid, lesson learned.
I shaint concerned myself with it further. Yellow/gold coolant can be mixed with green without issue. Noted. Thanks guys.

 

[Mightyfordranger]

You can mix gold with green or red

Gold/yellow is the hybrid(silicate/OAT) long life stuff

Can't/shouldn't mix green(silicate) and red/pink(OAT)


And just FYI, there is no "color" standard for coolant, coolant makers generally follow the green, red, yellow pattern but there is no requirement to do so

My VW TDI car takes that pink G12 stuff. And ya can't mix it. That's what made me think of that.

 

[RonD]

My VW TDI car takes that pink G12 stuff. And ya can't mix it. That's what made me think of that.

You could add gold/yellow if you had too, but yes, best to stick with red/pink

I switch any vehicle I have to green when its about 10 years old, the cheap 2 year stuff
As mentioned, thats because thermostats, water pumps, hoses, radiators are all wearing out, or even major engine work is coming

And I have to say in all my years that I have never seen a difference in the corrosion protection between yellow, red, or green
In Bi-metal, quad-metal or poly-metal, lol, systems
I am sure there is documentation that says "YOU'RE WRONG, asshole", but just saying I have never seen it for myself in vehicles I have or have worked on
Old coolant issues YES indeed, but thats just TOO CHEAP even for me I do change it every two years........or so

 

[Mightyfordranger]

You could add gold/yellow if you had too, but yes, best to stick with red/pink

I switch any vehicle I have to green when its about 10 years old, the cheap 2 year stuff
As mentioned, thats because thermostats, water pumps, hoses, radiators are all wearing out, or even major engine work is coming

And I have to say in all my years that I have never seen a difference in the corrosion protection between yellow, red, or green
In Bi-metal, quad-metal or poly-metal, lol, systems
I am sure there is documentation that says "YOU'RE WRONG, asshole", but just saying I have never seen it for myself in vehicles I have or have worked on
Old coolant issues YES indeed, but thats just TOO CHEAP even for me I do change it every two years........or so

How do you guys get rid of used coolant? There's a place by me that takes hazardous materials as a community cleanup thing. But it's only open a few months a year so I have to hold on to all of it till it opens again

 

[Ranger850]

How do you guys get rid of used coolant?

Give it to the neighbors dog. ( joking, unless, you know, you have issues with your neighbor's dog. )

 

[Blmpkn]

Right down a storm drain, obviously.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Some localities say to pour used glycol antifreeze down the drain. Really. Check first.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

By the way, what is this "loan your pickup" of which you speak? Sounds foreign to me.