Antifreeze Opinions?

Seems like a lot of options out there. Premixed, concentrates, pet friendly, eco friendly, etc. etc. Oddly it seems like you can't find the same brand you had used last time. Whats everyone using and if I don't really want to kill my cat lapping up the occassional overflow is it protecting my engine?

there is a "pet friendly" kind, sort of--it's not benign in that respect, but much less toxic than the regular stuff. You'll have to read the labels or ask at the counter, I can't recall the name. Even though it's the stuff I prefer (been thinking about tossing some of the old stuff over into the neighbor's yard so their little constantly yapping dogs can enjoy some!)

I don't use the 50:50 mix but closer to a 20:80, stuff:water. Plain water in there now and no problem with that subfreezing cold spell we had last month.

You need something in there to prevent rust. I go with whatever is on sale, as I don't think there is really much difference. Generally, the 50/50 stuff is way more expensive to use than the 100%, based on the 50/50 mixture. Sometimes Big Lots or WalMart has a big sale on the 50/50. and then it makes sense.

I have never had a animal, dog or cat, show any interest in drinking the stuff, so I don't really worry about it. They would prefer to drink out of the pool more than anything. Don't know why.

I like using the red colored Toyota antifreeze. Reminds me of the old re Castrol fluids from many years ago.

I bought a couple of gallons of the old reliable Prestone/NAPA brand not that long ago. They asked about the premix....pretty high priced water I'd say. I can't say for sure but I understand the eco/pet friendly variaty is still toxic but has a bitter taste that animals won't go for.

I don't have any pet animals so I don't worry too much about spills.
And mny cars are garaged year round so I'm not concerned about animals.
I'm using a 50/50 mix of Prestone and distilled water and have been
using that for years. Normally I change it every spring. I drain and
flush the radiator then re fill. My car doesn't get driven in the winter
here in upstate NY only because of the tremendous amount of salt they
put on our roads. So far so good and as the old saying goes.
"if it ain't broke don't fix it."

George Herschell

FWIW:

It is true that ethylene glycol will KILL just about any mammal that I know of. It is a gruesome death as the liver goes absolutely nuts trying to deal with the stuff. We had two dogs poisoned with it by a deranged individual about ten years ago.

It doesn't act instantly as it has to get through the system and when it starts the action is slow and agonizing.

I watched one pet go through the most godawful convolutions on the kitchen floor, and the other died in the back of my van as I rushed to the vet.

Trust me, you don't want that to happen to any animal.:(:(:(

Jack

I use the 100% and buy water at the market to dilute it down to 50/50. Our water is incredibly Hard here, on a well. [url=http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php][/url]

Personally I'd look for Zerex original formula because it is still formulated on the same requirements that the MGB had in the day. You can find it at NAPA as well as others.

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/coolant.html

I use Prestone in the 100% jug. Then, using an old jug, mix it 50/50. You end up with a couple of gallons for cheaper than the pre-mix stuff.

Like Lee, I still prefer the 100% Zerex from NAPA. I then mix it at home with distilled water to about 75% water and 25% Zerex. I also add an ounce or so of rust inhibitor/water pump lube.

While living in USA, I kept mine topped up with 50/50 Prestone. One night in Grand Canyon it dropped to 18F - and she started first time, though the new 'diesel' trucks were not so lucky... as their fuel had solidified !!

Anybody use the yellow Zerex G-05?

This is the supposed to be a universal HOAT coolant identical to the stuff that Mercedes-Benz has been using since the 80's with good results. Apparently most American manufacturers are moving to it as well.

Our cooling systems were not designed for HOAT. Shouldn't kill yours, but it isn't helping, either.

I use Propelyne Glycol ("pet safe" used to be Sierra brand (subsidiary of Prestone) but I haven't looked in a while...) mixed to 30% strength and a bottle of redline water wetter.

Good to well below freezing (around 6 degrees F) and x-fers heat better.

Shows these forums can galvanize you into action.
I haven't changed the antifreeze in my car for too many years (5+) to mention...! Feeling very guilty.
Read the above posts, felt really guilty. Went down to the shop and bought fresh. Only took 10 mins to do.
How lazy am I ?
R

Probably a wise move with the current weather situation !(tu)
Because we moved from Sussex to Launceston, and we don't have a garage, SWMBO's LE Roadster is in a neighbour's carport.
I'm thankful that it hasn't really got too cold (yet), as I didn't get round to draining it before the winter... :(
and I'm working away until the end of the month..
As an aside - before I rebuilt my wife's BGT, we called it "Yellow Peril"
However, it's now Pearlescent Tahiti Blue (her choice), and for some reason the new name is "Seth" :S
and that is still in storage in W. Sussex.