Recent Trends: Mfr’s Have Added Confusion to Coolant/AntiFreeze Products

[Grams]

I owned a 2012 Ram 1500 which had a warning label to USE ONLY HOAT coolant.

I replaced it with a 2024 Ram 2500 which specifies OAT coolant.

I subsequently bought a used 2015 Ram 1500 which specifies OAT coolant.

Since I own several other vehicles/equipment around the place that have engines using coolant….. I keep several jugs of antifreeze in the shop. A couple of the vehicles are heavy-duty diesels that require a Nitrite-additive coolant (specified to prevent cavitation on cylinder sleeves)….so I keep a few jugs of that in the “PEAK” brand.

But ordinarily, I’m a long-time / preferred user of “Prestone” ..ethylene-glycol type…almost always in “concentrated” versions.

I also own a circa-1996 Kubota M4700DT tractor (good ol’ non-emissions diesel) that specifies “ethylene glycol” but makes no distinction of OAT or HOAT….and since it’s almost 30 years old..despite the fact it has only 700 hours on it… I did a complete drain/flush/replace the coolant last summer using … you guessed it…. Prestone Yellow-Jug Ethylene-Glycol anti-freeze concentrate and distilled water mix.

Now I’m thinking this used, ten-year-old Ram 1500 likely has never had a coolant flush/change…so I thought I’d do so.

All the usual resources WARN us to NOT USE “Universal” coolants ….despite their claims because they might Still “gel” …and they do not likely have the long-term-life of standard OAT or HOAT coolants. SOOOoooo….. I’m out shopping for anti-freeze to treat the new-to-me 2015 truck to a fresh charge of coolant.

PROBLEM: NONE of the many bottles of anti-freeze found at Wally World or anywhere else Specify WHAT TYPE coolant is inside the bottle!

They ALL claim “Mixes with ANY TYPE”….or, …particularly irritating… Prestone has Five or Six DIFFERENT Formulations…in Different Color Jugs…. claiming to be for “Nissan” or “Honda” or “Jeep” or….. so on and so on….
Some of them also claim to be “correct Purple” or “ORANGE” or….whatever. (I’m anxiously awaiting a NEW RAINBOW COOLANT.)

. BUT NO DESCRIPTION on ANY of them… .. the TYPE such as OAT or HOAT.

A few mention mysterious ASTM standards …..which are undefined…..but no ISO standards are listed.

There’s a Phone Number listed for “Questions”….so I called it….which results in several minutes listening to “Our Menu has Recently Changed” …. and then making the proper selection for “Customer Service” questions….. it rolls-over to “leave a message” …or to “Press 4 for a Listing of Extensions”…which leads to me having to NAME someone…
So…. I tried “SMITH” and “WILLIAMS” and “Black” and “White” and “POISON” and “EMERGENCY”…. finally, out of frustration….“Fud-Pucker” …. none of which go anywhere except a response “None Found…. Good-Bye!” and a hang-up.

I called the number back using my cell phone “redial” feature and ended up at totally different entities such as “Federal Exchange” and such.

The point of this missive is: Despite strong warnings to Confirm the TYPE of coolant used in your vehicle…NONE of the mfr’s…not Prestone, not Peak, not SuperTech, etc etc…. provide an actual description of the TYPE of coolant in the bottle.
And the COLOR of coolants is a Well-Known Misleading clue…as there is no longer any standardization in the industry.

Damn irritating.

 

[Grams]

A “Google” inquiry results in the following:

“
Key Considerations

• Do Not Mix Coolant Types: Mixing different types (OAT, IAT, HOAT, etc.) can cause chemical reactions, reduce the lifespan of the coolant, and potentially damage your cooling system. A complete flush and fill is recommended when changing coolant types.
• Color is Not Universal: While OAT coolants are often orange or red, manufacturers use various dyes, so always confirm the product's chemical designation and compatibility with your vehicle manufacturer's specifications.
• Read the Label: Always check the product label and specifications (e.g., ASTM D3306, GM 6277M) to ensure it meets your vehicle's requirements. ”

BUT as for
Item Number ONE: None of them SPECIFY which “TYPE” ( OAT, IAT, HOAT, etc.)

Item Number TWO: Color is added to different concoctions…BUT COLOR is UNRELIABLE and MEANINGLESS , even in THEIR OWN LITERATURE.

Item Number THREE: The Labels DO NOT SPECIFY WHICH “Standard”…(and notice they quote “Different” standard SOURCES, such as ASTM, or “D”, or “GM”, etc etc…so in-fact there is no “standard”….
AND YOUR VEHICLE, depending upon it’s year-model, may actually specify an OUTDATED “standard” no longer listed!

This has become ridiculous.

 

[Grams]

I have wasted two days now attempting to get a straight answer from Prestone…and all I can get from them is…. to use THEIR product because it’s too easy to make an incorrect selection without knowing the technology used in coolant products….and Prestone DOES NOT provide the information about THEIR products to know which of them My Vehicle should have.

I’m on the verge of deciding to abandon the Prestone brand due to their sidestepping / weaseling and lack of specifics.

 

[British Bulldog]

This is what I used to top up and it does say Chrysler AND HOAT. Bought off shelf at Walmart, I think.

 

[British Bulldog]

And if it’s wrong, the truck has been sold lol. A LONG time ago. 2021?

 

[joesstripclub]

If you want to use whatever coolant you have, just drain and flush the entire system, then fill up with all one color. I think the big takeaway is to just not mix coolant types. I'm wondering if the SDS for these coolants can provide more info on what the main ingredient is.

 

[Magfan2]

I have been using Universal for several years in my older car & pickup as well as UTV. I haven't had any problems. Wouldn't tell anyone else to do it, but it has worked for me. I will be following manufacturer recommendation for my new to me 2014 5.7 Ram Sport.

 

[Wild one]

So…. I tried “SMITH” and “WILLIAMS” and “Black” and “White” and “POISON” and “EMERGENCY”…. finally, out of frustration….“Fud-Pucker” …. none of which go anywhere except a response “None Found…. Good-Bye!” and a hang-up.

Damn near fell over laughing as i didn't think "Fud-Pucker" was a thing that went very far,. Way back when the wife and i first were together,i had a buddy who's nick name was Fud-Pucker,i think i knew him for probably a year before i found out his actual name

 

[Ken226]

Damn near fell over laughing as i didn't think "Fud-Pucker" was a thing that went very far,. Way back when the wife and i first were together,i had a buddy who's nick name was Fud-Pucker,i think i knew him for probably a year before i found out his actual name

There was soma kinda singer back in the 80s, i think, named Elmer Fudpucker. I havn't heard that name since I was about 14 years old.

BTW, don't look it up or listen to any of that **** if your sensitive. There's plenty of it on Youtube. It was pretty much music for truckers, as such, the language is exactly what you would expect.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I drained all my vehicles and run fleet coolant in all of them. Makes servings way easier.

 

[Grams]

This is what I used to top up and it does say Chrysler AND HOAT. Bought off shelf at Walmart, I think.

That’s an old jug. (never thought I’d say 2016 was “old)…. Try finding that particular jug ..or ANY jug which properly identifies itself These Days.

 

[kurek]

Since coolant service is only necessary once every 5-10 years that's like.. one or two, maybe three times in the typical lifetime of the truck. Dealer sells dealer juice, no second guessing required.

 

[EdGs]

I just buy the OEM concentrate OAT for my '15.

We also have a Toyota Tundra. It gets it's OE juice, too.

But, having more than a couple vehicles, and every one different does make things interesting. I'd have to clearly mark each jug for whatever vehicle it's for, just so someone else doesn't use the wrong stuff.

Pain in the a$$.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Certain things I just buy from the dealer, coolant and tpms sensors.

If I have to buy this every ten years so be it

 

[Grams]

What if you just need to “top off” the reservoir..? Whatcha’ gonna do?

 

[mtofell]

I have been accused of being overly skeptical in the past but I don't believe the internet videos of radiators being filled with sludge because someone mixes a couple coolant types. IMO, this is just another in the long line of "fear sells" being thrown at us. Of course, it's not worth the risk of a problem and just running the OEM recommendations, if possible, is the smartest thing. Just don't lay awake at night if you got in a pinch and had to put a quart of something the same color but a letter off what you're supposed to.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I have been accused of being overly skeptical in the past but I don't believe the internet videos of radiators being filled with sludge because someone mixes a couple coolant types. IMO, this is just another in the long line of "fear sells" being thrown at us. Of course, it's not worth the risk of a problem and just running the OEM recommendations, if possible, is the smartest thing. Just don't lay awake at night if you got in a pinch and had to put a quart of something the same color but a letter off what you're supposed to.

The issue with OAT and HOAT is the acids that are there to fight corrosion latch on to/attach each other instead and you get little solid bits in your coolant *and* you make ammonia in your coolant, and I figure we'd all agree that's not a desirable thing to have.

See this TSB filed on the NHSTA site by Chrysler: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2012/MC-10216327-9999.pdf

CAUTION: Vehicle Damage may occur if dissimilar coolants are mixed!
Coolants of different technologies are not compatible nor interchangeable (OAT, HOAT or IAT).

Mixing these coolants could result in:
• accelerated corrosion within the engine and cooling systems.
• the coolant having an ammonia smell.
• debris (particles) floating in the coolant.

Further inspection by the technician may find corrosion in the system. This could show up as aluminum pipes turning black in the coolant system, engine overheat, or leaks in the coolant system.

I never was really great with chemistry, but if you're getting an ammonia smell you've probably created...ammonia.

Ammonia is NH3, so nitrates are breaking up and the nitrogen atoms are stripping hydrogen atoms from something and then latching on to them. OAT coolants don't have any nitrates. HOATs do. So if you're getting an ammonia smell, then you know the OAT is somehow breaking down the nitrates in the HOAT as it didn't have an of it's own to bring to the party and HOAT didn't start out with an ammonia smell (and neither have pure elemental hydrogen, obviously) That also means other compounds are forming in there, as the rest of the atoms originally attached to those hydrogen and nitrogen atoms didn't disappear and will be latching on to something themselves. Some of those are making whatever the floaty bits are, maybe the stuff people think is casting sand sometimes? I don't have the depth of knowledge to know to that level.

 

[nascar72]

My '08 2500 gasser called for HOAT coolant same as my '03 1500 hemi. The '03 eventually needed a new rad so while at it, did a complete system flush and filled it up with Prestone Universal "All make & model & color" mixed along with 50% distilled water=problem solved. Ran it 70k without any issues or overheating whatsoever. I checked it often to see if I'd notice any sort of deposits or sediments floating around. Result? Clear as water. Did exact same thing with the '08 2500 hemi and same results after 50k. Save yourselves the headache. Do a complete and thurrow flush making sure all the HOAT/OAT crap is out and keep it simple with universal coolant and you'll be fine.

 

[rabbit_season]

This is what I did to my 2014. Complete flush, and replaced it with Prestone.

 

[EdGs]

The issue with OAT and HOAT is the acids that are there to fight corrosion latch on to/attach each other instead and you get little solid bits in your coolant *and* you make ammonia in your coolant, and I figure we'd all agree that's not a desirable thing to have.

See this TSB filed on the NHSTA site by Chrysler: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2012/MC-10216327-9999.pdf



I never was really great with chemistry, but if you're getting an ammonia smell you've probably created...ammonia.

Ammonia is NH3, so nitrates are breaking up and the nitrogen atoms are stripping hydrogen atoms from something and then latching on to them. OAT coolants don't have any nitrates. HOATs do. So if you're getting an ammonia smell, then you know the OAT is somehow breaking down the nitrates in the HOAT as it didn't have an of it's own to bring to the party and HOAT didn't start out with an ammonia smell (and neither have pure elemental hydrogen, obviously) That also means other compounds are forming in there, as the rest of the atoms originally attached to those hydrogen and nitrogen atoms didn't disappear and will be latching on to something themselves. Some of those are making whatever the floaty bits are, maybe the stuff people think is casting sand sometimes? I don't have the depth of knowledge to know to that level.

In my case, I know for sure only OAT was used since 28,684 miles, thats all I used.

Not sure where this schizz came from, but it was in there.