Wez Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Hey All, I picked up some red anti freeze earlier for my car but when checking the application guide on the website it says I should be using the green anti freeze, anyone else come across this. Both are ethylene glycol based products. Xstream Green (recommended on site for MKIV supra) --------------------------------------------------- http://www.commaoil.com/Product%20Pages/Coolantswinter/xstreamgreen.htm Xtream Red ----------- http://www.commaoil.com/Product%20Pages/Coolantswinter/xstreamredcon.htm Super LongLife Red (what I have already purchased) -------------------------------------------------- http://www.commaoil.com/Product%20Pages/Coolantswinter/superredconc.htm Is there really that much difference between them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Afaik, any ethylene glycol based anti freeze will do. Is the Xstream green more expensive by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 What colour is the Toyota stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robzki Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 red afaik, goes brown when old Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 What colour is the Toyota stuff? Defo red. Toyota 4Life I think it's called which in name sounds very similar to what you have. As said though, as long as it's ethylene glycol based it should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 I just called up Comma and spoke to a technical rep. The red stuff is the wrong stuff, its Organic Acid Technology based and should only be used in motors that are designed for it. The green stuff is Mono Ethylene Glycol based so they have different additives. I asked about the Toyota stuff being red and was told the colouring is just a dye and different manufactors use different colours so shouldnt be used as a guide. Looks like I need to go and change it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 The red stuff is the wrong stuff, its Organic Acid Technology based and should only be used in motors that are designed for it. Looks like I need to go and change it So it's not ethylene glycol based? Either way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian R Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Toyota do both Red (4life) and green that is good for 2 years or so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 So it's not ethylene glycol based? Yes it is but has organic acid technology as well, what ever that is. No matter now as I have just swapped it over for the Xtreme Green they recommend which was 80p more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I just called up Comma and spoke to a technical rep. The red stuff is the wrong stuff, its Organic Acid Technology based and should only be used in motors that are designed for it. The green stuff is Mono Ethylene Glycol based so they have different additives. I asked about the Toyota stuff being red and was told the colouring is just a dye and different manufactors use different colours so shouldnt be used as a guide. Looks like I need to go and change it Sounds like more tech speak bull to me, very little has changed in engine design material's, other than the grades of alloy used, so it would have to be seriously bad stuff to do any kind of damage;) as said any Ethylene Glycol based stuff will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Sounds like more tech speak bull to me, very little has changed in engine design material's, other than the grades of alloy used, so it would have to be seriously bad stuff to do any kind of damage;) as said any Ethylene Glycol based stuff will be fine. For the sake of 80p I changed it to the one they recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RMC Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 I just called up Comma and spoke to a technical rep. The red stuff is the wrong stuff, its Organic Acid Technology based and should only be used in motors that are designed for it. The green stuff is Mono Ethylene Glycol based so they have different additives. I asked about the Toyota stuff being red and was told the colouring is just a dye and different manufactors use different colours so shouldnt be used as a guide. Looks like I need to go and change it I was told depends on the age of your car - red a-freeze can strip laquer off in minutes and won't be good for an old lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 I was told depends on the age of your car - red a-freeze can strip laquer off in minutes and won't be good for an old lady. Not a good idea to pour it on you're paintwork anyway;) or put it in you're Gran's tea:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Organic acid technology is the salesman's line for dye in it. When the coolant gets old, or contaminated by combustion gasses, it becomes acidic. Like litmus paper the dye, which is organic, changes colour to announce to Joe Bloggs the coolant needs changing. As we are all smarter than Joe, and in a recession, there's no need for the fancy, and stupidly expensive stuff with dye in it. Just remember to change the el cheapo basic green stuff bi-annually and you'll be fine, and better off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 I have green antifreeze in mine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 If you want to buy some really good coolant then evans is top notch. demon tweeks sell a long life 180 degree boiling point long life coolant. I just used the MR T red stuff. Try to keep to same brand. /type etc as it can congile if mixed but im not too clued up on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Mods, perhaps its time a sticky was put in FAQ and guides, that you can use any antifreeze, providing it meats current manufacturing spec , that way it will stop all this what and what not to use regarding antifreeze? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Just remember to change the el cheapo basic green stuff bi-annually and you'll be fine, and better off. Bi Annually? Oh....I must be due a change then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Mods, perhaps its time a sticky was put in FAQ and guides, that you can use any antifreeze, providing it meats current manufacturing spec , that way it will stop all this what and what not to use regarding antifreeze? Good point, added it to the list of things to add. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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