coolant/anti freeze

[wil5bart]

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.

[86kahl]

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

[Andew727]

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

[86kahl]

Originally Posted by Andew727

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

👆🏽 wut he said


Sent from my toolbox

[wil5bart]

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

[86geek]

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

[dnieves]

Originally Posted by chas3wba0

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

Drink coolant? Why is that?

[dnieves]

Originally Posted by wil5bart

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

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?

[Packofcrows]

Originally Posted by dnieves

Drink coolant? Why is that?

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.

[D88]

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.

[dnieves]

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.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by dnieves

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.

[paulca]

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.

[paulca]

Originally Posted by Packofcrows

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

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.