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Does Automotive Coolant Wear Out?
Posted on 7/31/25 at 1:53 pm
Posted on 7/31/25 at 1:53 pm
I am changing belts and hoses and am pondering what to do with used antifreeze that is in the vehicle. I am considering filtering and reusing the existing coolant. Is there any reason why I shouldn’t do this?
This post was edited on 7/31/25 at 11:10 pm
10
Posted on 7/31/25 at 2:00 pm to Spankum
Is it saving you thst much money? I change the power steering fluid every 6 months just cause. Heat does deteriorate these things
Posted on 7/31/25 at 2:18 pm to Spankum
It's more important for diesels but if you have it drained it's best to just replace it. Filtering it wouldn't be worth the effort to me.
Posted on 7/31/25 at 2:21 pm to jmarto1
quote:
Is it saving you thst much money?
Not really…it will save about $40 worth of antifreeze and the trouble of disposing of the old coolant. However, if there is no benefit to replacing it, I would prefer not to do it.
Posted on 7/31/25 at 5:56 pm to Spankum
Where can old coolant be disposed?
Posted on 7/31/25 at 7:57 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts et
Posted on 7/31/25 at 8:01 pm to Spankum
Yes coolant goes bad.
Posted on 7/31/25 at 8:02 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
quote:
Where can old coolant be disposed?
Good question…I believe the county that I live in accepts this kind of waste.
Posted on 7/31/25 at 8:45 pm to Spankum
When was the last time the coolant was changed? The buffering capacity of coolant to mitigate internal engine corrosion depletes over time. This article will explain in detail the how’s and why’s of engine coolant and the importance of timely replacement, usually recommended at 3-year intervals.
Antifreeze & Coolant Tips
Article by same author (local BR auto service shop owner) on the proper way to DYI change engine coolant.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Antifreeze & Coolant Tips
Article by same author (local BR auto service shop owner) on the proper way to DYI change engine coolant.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Posted on 7/31/25 at 8:49 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
quote:
Where can old coolant be disposed?
I usually take it to the dump where they collect it and used oil.
Unless I pass a storm drain with a red balloon. Then it’s going down there.
Posted on 7/31/25 at 10:29 pm to Spankum
Coolant loses its anti corrosion properties over time. Replace with factory coolant as it's not expensive and it's 100% the right and compatible with the residual coolant.
Dump the old coolant down the toilet. Sewage or septic will break it down properly.
Dump the old coolant down the toilet. Sewage or septic will break it down properly.
Posted on 7/31/25 at 11:06 pm to CrawDude
There were a couple of things I disagree with in these articles however, overall thr]ese were well-written and very informative…thanks for posting them! 
Posted on 8/1/25 at 6:34 am to Spankum
Louis is a great guy. Anything he says comes from like 40 years of owning an automotive shop. I sent him an email once with a picture of a problem I was having and he promptly got back to me with what his thoughts were on the matter.
Posted on 8/1/25 at 9:03 am to Spankum
How long are you keeping your car or truck? If not a piece of farm equipment that is going to run for 25+ years, then use whatever you want.
Old tale is diesels need DCAs and more coolant attention because they last so much longer but this isn’t really true because nobody leaves diesels just sitting there costing money instead of running and making money. They’re run into the ground faster than anything usually.
Old tale is diesels need DCAs and more coolant attention because they last so much longer but this isn’t really true because nobody leaves diesels just sitting there costing money instead of running and making money. They’re run into the ground faster than anything usually.
Posted on 8/1/25 at 9:42 am to Spankum
It will wear out over time with very minor amounts of oil from the upper cylinder seeping into cooling system.
Posted on 8/1/25 at 10:00 am to Turnblad85
quote:
Louis is a great guy. Anything he says comes from like 40 years of owning an automotive shop.
…..and incredibility intelligent. Learned a lot from Louis listening to his automotive radio program, and being a customer of his for 30+ years……
Posted on 8/1/25 at 8:24 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
Poor it back into the container the new coolant came from and recycle back to the auto parts store.
Posted on 8/1/25 at 11:00 pm to Spankum
quote:
Does Automotive Coolant Wear Out?
Most modern OAT/HOAT coolants last a very long time as long as the system remains sealed and nothing mechanical goes wrong. I switched my vehicles over to Shell Rotella ELC, a heavy duty OAT coolant, which in OTR diesels is supposed to last about 600k miles without needing an additive package replenish.
Posted on 8/2/25 at 7:22 pm to Spankum
I changed the coolant in my wife’s 2018 Lexus Rx350 @ 100k miles
The fluid I drained out looked identical to the new OEM fluid I filled in
The fluid I drained out looked identical to the new OEM fluid I filled in
Posted on 8/2/25 at 11:36 pm to Dallaswho
quote:
How long are you keeping your car or truck? If not a piece of farm equipment that is going to run for 25+ years, then use whatever you want.
Well, the truck will be 20 years old in a couple of months!
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