Mixing IAT Coolant with HOAT Coolant

[HilaryP]

I went to a AAA safety check event yesterday. They gave out pamphlets on car care, and I didn't know there was a difference between coolants. Thank God I didn't put the yellow Prestone antifreeze in my radiator, which I had mixed and ready to add. I have always used the green stuff. Do I have to throw the yellow stuff away? Is it that bad? Thank you, and thanks to TRS for the Happy Birthday messages!

 

[exbass94]

The Prestone is an all makes/models coolant and claims to be universal and compatible with every other coolant. I'm not really a fan of it. It's essentially the same stuff as Dexcool, which has proven itself to be incompatible with certain gasket materials and sometimes turn to sludge in some systems.

 

[HilaryP]

Okay, girly-girl question: the color doesn't make a difference?

 

[exbass94]

Color for the most part doesn't matter. The important thing is the chemistry. You could have two coolants that are the same color, but they might have two completely different chemistries. You could also have two coolants that are different colors, but have the same indgredients.

 

[adsm08]

The color is mostly a dye.

 

[HilaryP]

Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without TRS.