chebyrashka
Junior Member
Hi all,
I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post - my questions are so basic that it's a bit embarrassing to ask. I really don't know much about cars at all, but need to figure out best steps to take.
I have 2006 Dodge RAM 1500, 5.7L I believe. It was bought used, from craigslist in 2020, and I have no clue exactly what coolant is in it right now. The orange coolant in the reservoir is half way between "full" and "add" lines, so I was going to add more. Manual recommends Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) P/N 5011764AB or equivalent. Of course I don't have that on hand. What I did find in the truck is open jug of Super Tech extended life 50/50, also orange in color, that my ex left there. It does not say anywhere on the bottle if it's OAT or HOAT, but after a little research it appears to be OAT. (I could be totally wrong) My ex does not remember for sure if he has added this Super Tech coolant/changed coolant since we bought the truck.
I read that both HOAT and OAT coolants can be orange, so color is not a good indicator, and that mixing them together can create a sludge... Sooo I am afraid to top the coolant off with the wrong stuff, since I have no idea if it's OAT or HOAT coolant in there (I am hoping it's HOAT like it suppose to be, but who knows).
Here are my questions:
1. Is there a way to figure out for sure what coolant is in the truck? May be some sort of chemical reaction test (I can get a bit of the stuff out of the reservoir for that)
2. If not, I am assuming the best way to prevent damage is take truck to the shop and do the radiator flush? Or can I just top it off with HOAT type and hope for the best?
3. Shop is using NAPA fluids. Should I bother ordering Mopar coolant instead? (looks like Mopar changed part number, I can't find 5011764AB for sale anywhere, but from one of the forums it appears 68048953AA would be the new part number - correct me if I am wrong) Found info that Zerex Hoat G-05 is basically the same stuff but twice cheaper.
4. In the meantime, is it safe to drive with coolant being half way between "full" and "add" marks? I might need to drive about 150 mi before I can get to the shop to flush the radiator.
If this topic was already discussed somewhere please point me to the right thread. Thanks for all your help!
I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post - my questions are so basic that it's a bit embarrassing to ask. I really don't know much about cars at all, but need to figure out best steps to take.
I have 2006 Dodge RAM 1500, 5.7L I believe. It was bought used, from craigslist in 2020, and I have no clue exactly what coolant is in it right now. The orange coolant in the reservoir is half way between "full" and "add" lines, so I was going to add more. Manual recommends Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) P/N 5011764AB or equivalent. Of course I don't have that on hand. What I did find in the truck is open jug of Super Tech extended life 50/50, also orange in color, that my ex left there. It does not say anywhere on the bottle if it's OAT or HOAT, but after a little research it appears to be OAT. (I could be totally wrong) My ex does not remember for sure if he has added this Super Tech coolant/changed coolant since we bought the truck.
I read that both HOAT and OAT coolants can be orange, so color is not a good indicator, and that mixing them together can create a sludge... Sooo I am afraid to top the coolant off with the wrong stuff, since I have no idea if it's OAT or HOAT coolant in there (I am hoping it's HOAT like it suppose to be, but who knows).
Here are my questions:
1. Is there a way to figure out for sure what coolant is in the truck? May be some sort of chemical reaction test (I can get a bit of the stuff out of the reservoir for that)
2. If not, I am assuming the best way to prevent damage is take truck to the shop and do the radiator flush? Or can I just top it off with HOAT type and hope for the best?
3. Shop is using NAPA fluids. Should I bother ordering Mopar coolant instead? (looks like Mopar changed part number, I can't find 5011764AB for sale anywhere, but from one of the forums it appears 68048953AA would be the new part number - correct me if I am wrong) Found info that Zerex Hoat G-05 is basically the same stuff but twice cheaper.
4. In the meantime, is it safe to drive with coolant being half way between "full" and "add" marks? I might need to drive about 150 mi before I can get to the shop to flush the radiator.
If this topic was already discussed somewhere please point me to the right thread. Thanks for all your help!