What Coolant?

[kevinmcc]

I have a 2003 Mazda Protege Sedan that I want to drain the radiator and replace it with fresh but I have no idea what kind to use?

 

[kevinmcc]

Will this coolant mix with what ever mazda put in back in 2003? I assume it is the OEM fluid, the car only has 34,000 miles on it.. I do not want to mix it if it will jell up or anything.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

 

[dmention7]

You don't need anything fancy. Just the regular green "universal" coolant that costs $12/gal at the parts store is fine. Just make sure you pay attention to whether it's pre-mixed (in which case you just fill with the coolant only) or straight coolant (in which case you mix 50/50 with distilled water). A lot of people will say you can just use tap water... but distilled water is less than $1/gal at the grocery store so there's no reason not to use it unless you're in a pinch.

 

[concept]

I would use 5-year coolant as long as you not wait 5 years until all the old stuff is out of your engine.

 

[kevinmcc]

Would that long life mazda fl22 or whatever it is mix fine with what ever OEM coolant was put in back in 2003?

 

[hornsfan10609]

Do not mix FL22 and regular coolant and do not use FL22 in a Protege it is not designed for it. The original 11 year old coolant in your protege should have been flushed 4-5 times by now, I hope it isn't truly original. (boom01)

 

[kevinmcc]

Yea it is def original that car has been sitting for a while now. It only has 34,000 miles on it...

So hornsfan what do you suggest I use? Im confused cause the dealership said it would mix and fl22 would be fine in it.... ughh so confusing.

 

[kevinmcc]

What about this?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone-Extended-Life-Prediluted-Antifreeze-Coolant-Premix/16879961




EDIT:

So after researching a bit more I learned that it would be either filled with Mazda Long Life Coolant or Mazda Extended Life (FL22)


Since it is a 2003 people say it is the mazda long life... is that correct?

 

[concept]

Most, if not all long-life coolants state on the bottle that they can be mixed with ANY coolant. I've done this many times and have never had a problem.
The original long-life stuff could not be mixed with regular, but that was 15-20 years ago. Check the coolant bottle; you should be fine, but definitely do a flush, not a drain and fill.

 

[kevinmcc]

Okay. When u flush with water how do I get the water that is in the block and heater core out? Or would it be fine to leave that water and just fill the radiator with fresh 50/50

 

[kevinmcc]

I'm at the dealer and the service guy has no idea what to use... He said his chart doesn't go back that far.

What a ******* joke. No one likes to help the customer any more.


Edit. He just came back with a bottle of dex cool? What ever that is. 30 some bucks. I passed....

 

[kevinmcc]

Well just got prestone 50/50 all makes model coolant.

Gonna flush the old with distilled water and use this stuff. Hopefully it will be fine.

 

[kevinmcc]

Will this prestone mix fine with the remaining OEM coolant fine? Their isn't a lot I ran 5 gallons through the radiator but it came out a little green still.

 

[concept]

...from the Prestone website:

Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is compatible with ANY antifreeze/ coolant – regardless of color – for use in ALL makes and models of cars and light duty trucks. This patented formula provides a high degree of performance durability and carefully balanced protection against temperature extremes and rust corrosion of all cooling system metals, including aluminum.

You'll probably need this (with instructions) to flush the old coolant:

http://www.prestone.com/products/print/461?popup=1

But yes, don't worry about getting them mixed a bit.

 

[kevinmcc]

...from the Prestone website:



You'll probably need this (with instructions) to flush the old coolant:

http://www.prestone.com/products/print/461?popup=1

But yes, don't worry about getting them mixed a bit.

Yea oh well I got most of it, I will keep an eye on it and will change it in 30k miles.. next step is figuring out what atf to use lol

 

[concept]

If you just drained and filled, you might want to do it again in the Spring or sooner. More of the old stuff should come out at that time.

 

[kevinmcc]

If you just drained and filled, you might want to do it again in the Spring or sooner. More of the old stuff should come out at that time.

I plan on draining and refillng the transmission every other oil change.

 

[concept]

That's what I do; I change my oil every year (synthetic oil) at about 4-5000 miles.