I topped off coolant with something other than Honda coolant

[BoomerSooner]

I was going on a long trip for the Holidays and checked under the hood and noticed like many others who have newly purchased Pilots that the coolant reservoir was about 1/2 and inch to an inch below the min. line. Being it was Christmas Eve and the Honda dealership was closed at the time, I was not able to go to them top it off for me, being it was new and they didn't bother to fill up completely when they did the pre delivery inspection.

So went to Autozone and topped off the coolant with some of their new formula extended protection Prestone, the Honda manual says that Honda coolant is recommended, but if not using Honda coolant to use a non-silicate based coolant that is safe for aluminum engines. Prestone bottle reads safe for all types of cars, can mix with any color and safe for aluminum engines. At most I used maybe a 2 cups worth of Prestone. Will this cause me any problems. or do I need to go to the dealer to have them flush out my coolant system and replace with their coolant. By the way the Honda coolant is blue and the Prestone is green. Lesson to be learned here, at least open the hood and check fluids before driving off the lot.

I really don't want to spend that kind of money hopefully. Any input would be appreciated

[humanoid]

I think it should be fine if it said safe for aluminum engines. I saw that Prestone stuff at the store recently and wondered the same thing.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by humanoid
I think it should be fine if it said safe for aluminum engines. I saw that Prestone stuff at the store recently and wondered the same thing.

I would not worry that it is going to do something bad, but I would not count on the 10 year life span any more.
I would probably change it in 3 to 5 years.

[jdeanski]

You're fine, don't worry about it at all, but you probably should have added only water.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by jdeanski
You're fine, don't worry about it at all, but you probably should have added only water.

Would you still assume a 10 year life span?

[BoomerSooner]

thanks guys, that makes me not as worried about it. What I will do is probably what N_Jay said and to change it in a couple of years if not sooner.

I went ahead and bought a gallon of the HOnda stuff this morning , just in case things like this come up again.

If I didn't know any better when things come up like this ,it kind of made me think Honda has a monopoly on the coolant market with their vehicles.

[xGS]

Next time, try one of these:

[http://www.peakantifreeze.com/peak_g...time_5050.html]

[http://www.peakantifreeze.com/peak_global_lifetime.html]

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by xGS
Next time, try one of these:

[http://www.peakantifreeze.com/peak_g...time_5050.html]

[http://www.peakantifreeze.com/peak_global_lifetime.html]

I would rather have it change the color when mixed to remind you it is no longer "long-Life".

Look at their requirements for "long-Life" use. Apply the same to your Honda Long-Life antifreeze.

[jdeanski]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Would you still assume a 10 year life span?

It my understanding that antifreeze is not used 100% from the bottle, it is always a mix with water.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by jdeanski


It my understanding that antifreeze is not used 100% from the bottle, it is always a mix with water.

Many brands have both premix and concentrate varieties.

Since proper mixing for long life antifreeze requires distilled water, premix is best.

Using tap water in antifreeze is very bad for the engine.

[jay]

Originally posted by jdeanski


It my understanding that antifreeze is not used 100% from the bottle, it is always a mix with water.

I've only see the pre-mix Honda-labeled stuff at the local Honda dealer.

[humanoid]

Originally posted by jay
I've only see the pre-mix Honda-labeled stuff at the local Honda dealer.

Jay, if you go to the larger autoparts stores you should see some on the shelf. I see plenty of that stuff in Pep Boys and Kragen.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by humanoid


Jay, if you go to the larger autoparts stores you should see some on the shelf. I see plenty of that stuff in Pep Boys and Kragen.

But he said "Honda-Labled"

[humanoid]

Originally posted by N_Jay


But he said "Honda-Labled"

Ahhhh, I stand corrected. See what what only getting 4 hours sleep gets you?

[mbass]

Not sure if this applies to our Pilots but my 99 Accord's Owner's Manual indicates to use non-silicate antifreeze. The label should indicate if it contains silicates. Wife has the Pilot so I'm not sure what the Pilot OM specifies. Now I'm curious