coolant/anti freeze
 

Stupid question but, I picked my new frs up the other day from the dealer and notice in the morning that the coolant was only half full (sat all night so was cold). Can I just top it up with any brand as long as it meets the manuals specs or should it be the exact brand that's currently in it?

Coolant level fluctuates, it will be low when cold and high when warm, I wouldn't put any in while it was cold and significantly above the minimum line, definitely not at halfway. Pop the hood after your next long drive and see where it's at before adding some coolant, even if it's sitting at the low mark when cold you shouldn't have any problems as long as you don't leave it that way for too long.

I'm cheap and have no fear of coolant freezing due to my location, I'd put distilled water in if I didn't want to spend the money.

But OEM coolant is not that expensive if you want to be pedantic, and hey free shipping from Amazon. I can confirm that the color matches and everything, you won't use more than 20% of the bottle to fill the reservoir tank so this should last you several years assuming no problems.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007NLOZAU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o06_s00"]Amazon.com: Genuine Subaru SOA868V9270 Super Coolant: Automotive[/ame]


Edit: I'm sure someone will tell me I'm wrong but I guarantee if you fill it up to "full" while it's cold you'll spill some out the top on a hot day running the car hard. This stuff is all about a happy balance that keeps the owner happy, the OEM has a decent amount of wiggle room as long as you have something in the reservoir.

^^^this^^^ The antifreeze doesn't evaporate. After a couple heat cycles, the mix in the reservoir will be back to normal.

Water is the "coolant." Antifreeze is for, well, that and to inhibit corrosion.

I have a 2015 FRS, purchased new, now with 21,330 miles on it.
Noticed coolant somewhat low when it was new...after some miles driven...radiator was full, but overflow bottle showing no coolant.

Finally topped it off to low coolant level when odometer showed about 17,000 miles. {I don't allow the Dealership to add any fluids during oil and filter changes}

I used Best available Prestone brand, as FRS coolant was same color (green)...and I see no point in buying Prestone coolant which is premixed, as full strength coolant price is more product for the dollar.

I'd guess these cars, when new, have some bubbles in the cooling system, so they can't get them totally full at the factory.

I've found no leaks from my car, so no worries...just a normal situation.

Bottom line: I'd drive the car a while before worrying about it's coolant level...see if it gets any lower...then add as necessary. As long as you check coolant level in radiator itself, [certainly with car cold], if radiator itself is totally full, no real worries for a while.

My 2015 FRS coolant is blue. The twins use a specific coolant colored blue that you have to purchase from a dealer. The Prestone may work but you may want to compare the ingredients in it to the Super Coolant normally found in the twins.

FRS coolant color shouldn't be green. OEM coolant color is blue

Yup...I had low level coolant many months ago....took my car to the dealer and they topped it off....gotta use the recommended Toyota/Subaru brand of coolant....the mechanic checked the car with me watching him....I wouldn't put another brand of coolant in the car especially when you're still in the new car warranty period. Just my 2 cents! ;)

Update:

I'm aware coolant color means nothing in particular...it's there simply to discourage humans from drinking it...distinguishing it from water.

Currently I've sent a question/questions in to Prestone as to which of their coolant meets or exceeds requirements as to the attached from FR-S owner's manual.

Their answer now: The coolant I recommended above (Prestone Longer Life)...will work fine in the application....(It's better quality than their 'Prime' grade of coolant).

For myself, I'll go with the Prestone at about $12. a gallon (full strength), rather than paying Subaru or Toyota $29 to $34 a gallon for a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water.

My BRZ, my brother's Impreza, and my housemate's STi all drink coolant over time. Have to top off the expansion tank every few months.

I'd go ahead and buy a jug of Super Blue Coolant (~$20) from a Subaru dealer... you're gonna need it

That's not entirely accurate. Coolant not only lowers the freezing point, it also raises the boiling point of the fluid in the cooling system. When the fluid in the system boils, it no longer cools the engine. Gas bubbles in the system prevent it. By raising the boiling point, you make the fluid in the system continue to cool the engine at a higher temperature.

So water and coolant both function to cool the engine. That's why they call it coolant now instead of just "antifreeze."

Well, yeah, but I didn't want anyone's head to explode.

As long as we're on the subject, let's also discuss the fact that it's a closed system. The radiator cap is designed to vent fluid only after pressure exceeds, what is it, like 9 psi? 13? That is the main contributor to raising the boiling temp.

If there is a chronic slow loss of coolant without any evidence of leakage, the first thing to check/replace is the radiator cap. The tiniest nick in that check valve seat will keep the system from pressurizing and water slowly simmers off.

I wouldn't say that coolant color means nothing. Different coolant color has different chemicals in it. I remember I saw a tread where a forum member mixed different coolant and the coolant started to become jelly like. But don't know if that applies to mixing blue and green coolant

^^^^^^This^^^^^^

"I remember I saw a tread where a forum member mixed different coolant and the coolant started to become jelly like."

From what I've now read...this was most likely caused by mixing GM's Dexcool coolant with just about any other brand. Lots of things have been written about Dexcool.


From me in the past: "I'm aware coolant color means nothing in particular...it's there simply to discourage humans from drinking it...distinguishing it from water."

I'm also aware any specific color is supposed to designate the manufacturer who made it, or uses it in their in their engines....getting difficult these day as there is blue, orange, yellow, green, red, pink. And certainly those different colors mean different additives used.

If you are unsure what coolant will work for your ride, the best thing you can do is to go to a dealer. Besides coolant from the dealer is not too expensive.

coolant/anti freeze
 

Really you should be checking the radiator neck((when there's no pressure in the system)) the expansion tank can hover a bit at low mark and still be fine. In regards to OP question you should use the Subaru blue coolant when you flush it and just top it off with DISTILLED water when it's low. Mainly what evaporates is the water part of the mix anyways.

Oh and don't mix green and blue. If memory serves this car takes "organic silicate free blah blah coolant" and I'm doubtful regular old green stuff has this.


Sent from my toolbox

just add distilled water to coolant in the car...

👆🏽 wut he said


Sent from my toolbox

For peace of mind, use only OEM coolant. Besides it is not too expensive.

if coolant is low and car is still under new car warranty take it back to the dealer. they'll refill it.

Drink coolant? Why is that?

I wonder if OEM coolant follows the windshield wiper rules -OEM wiper blades/inserts cost a little more but last longer than after market ones made by Goodyear, Pylon, and RainX?

FA20 likes to be hot a lot. If you shift near redline or over 5k for that matter you'll need to top off every 2-3 weeks. I top off every month.

More heat production=need for more heat dissipation=uses coolant=top off coolant.

My coolant has always been green. The colour is just an added dye. It says in the manual what coolant you need so anything meeting those requirements will be fine.

Seems to be annoying to carry OEM coolant in our small trunk/boot in case you need to top off away from home instead of being able to buy similar run of the mill Prestone at any gas station/Walmart.

Distilled water should be available at any place gas and/or food is sold.

Propylene Glycol I believe is used in a lot of "coolant" + additives for anti-corrosion etc.

It's freezing point when mixed with water is fairly important depending not least on where you live.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pr...col-d_363.html

And distilled or at least deionised water. Tap water will leave behind the salts/minerals when it evaporates, forming white dusting or even blockages eventually.

Out of interest, used to be Ethanol Glycol but it's poisonous and bad for the cute furry animals. This is why "anti-freeze" has such a bad rep for being drunk... in more ways than one.

Propylene Glycol can be found in candy, deserts, car radiators, club fog machines and electronic cigarettes.

So, where does it go?

Coolant doesn't get "used", it doesn't get spent. It just goes back round, engine, heater matrix, radiator, engine, heater matrix..... The only ways for it to "disappear" is if you have a leak, failed gaskets or a dodgy radiator or expansion bottle cap.

Any update on how the car's handling the new coolant? I want to top off my coolant but don't feel like spending $34 for OEM coolant, which I can't use all of anyways.

jarviz,

My FRS now has almost 23, 000 miles.

I don't think it's lost any more coolant, since I topped it off around 17,000 miles.

Recently under the car, with the front aluminum skid plate off (damaged it, sliced it open on a big rock, dirt road), I noticed a little trace of dried (greenish) coolant near and on the front of left cylinder head...though it does not seem to have come from the water pump (no green on or under pump itself), which is also near, above that area. Not gonna worry about it though, as it might be normal seepage from when engine was new.

Note: Bought the car new. Drove it very hard, high revs, on dirt roads, day after I bought the car. Paid no attention to any sort of babying the engine when it had under 500 miles on the odometer....as was recommended. Yet no problems with oil burning so far...between 7500 mile oil changes.

After reading this post, I went to check my level. And I'm hella below the Low level. I won't be able to buy the coolant till this weekend and I daily my car. Will my car survive? Or any harm than could happen?Attachment 155090

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

Check if any level below rad cap. Watch temp gauge and you should be ok...Why can't you buy any before the weekend ??? I would get some and add just to be safe.


22R

I work 9-5. And they close at 6. Traffic won't get me there on time...

The temperature seems to be ok. It's the usual, middle notch of the gauge. Praise God I caught it in time.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

It's just an expansion/overflow tank. If the engine is COLD and you can still see coolant, you're fine. Bring your engine up to temp and have another look, it'll probably be close to the full mark.
In the winter when everything is cold I can barely see coolant in that overflow and I haven't worried about it. Not worth the $ to buy premix for nothing.

This^
If temp gauge shows OK then don't sweat it. Because the expansion tank is low it does not mean that your cooling system is low. For the little it is down you can also just add some distilled water. Coolant is mostly water and that is what evaporates not the solids that have been added to it.

Thank you! I've been stressing about it since yesterday. I'm about to do some runs this Saturday, so I don't want to overheat my car.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

Buy a gallon of distilled water at any grocery store (gas stations have them too but usually overpriced), throw a cup of water in there when it's cold to bring it up over 'minimum' and check it again after it's nice and hot, should be much nearer the top. Toss it in the back seat and maybe add a little bit of water if it drops below minimum again, repeat until you're happy.

You don't need to spend the extra $30 on antifreeze, your car will likely never be in freezing conditions anyway. You and I could probably run it on straight water year round.

I guess I'm the lone dissenter.

http://i.imgur.com/kQWCdr8l.jpg




totaled

I wish I saw this sooner. I got the coolant for $26. Not bad as I expected lol. But I filled it up to full on cold engine.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

Meh, some may come out the top and life will go on.

:burnrubber: