Antifreeze
Nov 10, 2020 10:33:45 #
Remember when antifreeze came in a gallon jug, and you diluted it 50/50? All I can find online now is the 50/50 solution. In other words, I'm paying the same for two quarts of antifreeze as I used to pay for a full gallon. At least they offer a nice choice of colors. 
Nov 10, 2020 10:40:00 #
Nov 10, 2020 10:45:40 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Remember when antifreeze came in a gallon jug, and you diluted it 50/50? All I can find online now is the 50/50 solution. In other words, I'm paying the same for two quarts of antifreeze as I used to pay for a full gallon. At least they offer a nice choice of colors.
Marketing..... To make more profit. They dilute it for you, and possibly charge the same price?
(Do they make pumpkin spice also?
)Nov 10, 2020 10:50:42 #
The last time I was at Autozone the 50/50 was cheaper than full strength. 2 Gals of 50/50 was about a year 50 cents less than 1 gal of full strength.
Nov 10, 2020 10:57:40 #
Interesting... Convenience...
I can get one full strength, cut it with my own water, and recycle one container,
OR, I can get two containers, just pour it in and be done with it.
I can get one full strength, cut it with my own water, and recycle one container,
OR, I can get two containers, just pour it in and be done with it.
Nov 10, 2020 11:43:45 #
petrochemist
Loc: UK
I've found this very annoying too.
Having topped up the radiator over the summer with ordinary water I wanted to restore the antifreeze concentration as it got colder. Premix was all I could find locally.
Even if this wasn't the case why would I want to pay storage/delivery costs for water?
Having topped up the radiator over the summer with ordinary water I wanted to restore the antifreeze concentration as it got colder. Premix was all I could find locally.
Even if this wasn't the case why would I want to pay storage/delivery costs for water?
Nov 10, 2020 22:07:08 #
Our local Walmart has full strength. I just bought some about a week ago. Check them out.
Nov 11, 2020 06:37:21 #
petrochemist wrote:
I've found this very annoying too.
Having topped up the radiator over the summer with ordinary water I wanted to restore the antifreeze concentration as it got colder. Premix was all I could find locally.
Even if this wasn't the case why would I want to pay storage/delivery costs for water?
Having topped up the radiator over the summer with ordinary water I wanted to restore the antifreeze concentration as it got colder. Premix was all I could find locally.
Even if this wasn't the case why would I want to pay storage/delivery costs for water?
You might do better with a year-round top up mixture. How would you know what the correct amount of antifreeze to add to your system should be after topping up with water during the summer? Best to drain the system and start again.
Nov 11, 2020 06:44:12 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Remember when antifreeze came in a gallon jug, and you diluted it 50/50? All I can find online now is the 50/50 solution. In other words, I'm paying the same for two quarts of antifreeze as I used to pay for a full gallon. At least they offer a nice choice of colors.
I can't believe you are just noticing this, it started over 30 yrs ago, actually the 50/50 mix used to cost more than the full strength antifreeze, you pay more for convenience!!!!
Nov 11, 2020 06:46:48 #
Longshadow wrote:
Marketing..... To make more profit. They dilute it for you, and possibly charge the same price?
(Do they make pumpkin spice also? )
(Do they make pumpkin spice also?
)Thanks for that. I wonder about that 10 year/300,000 mile guarantee. Are they saying I can keep it in the car for 10 years, or do they want me to change it every year, and they guarantee the cooling system for that length of time. I change coolant every year or two.
Nov 11, 2020 06:50:53 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
I can't believe you are just noticing this, it started over 30 yrs ago, actually the 50/50 mix used to cost more than the full strength antifreeze, you pay more for convenience!!!!
Yes, I did notice it thirty years ago, but at least the regular stuff was readily available. Looking online, almost all the antifreeze is pre-mixed.
Nov 11, 2020 07:35:24 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Thanks for that. I wonder about that 10 year/300,000 mile guarantee. Are they saying I can keep it in the car for 10 years, or do they want me to change it every year, and they guarantee the cooling system for that length of time. I change coolant every year or two.
I would say you are probably better off changing the coolant Bi-annually with all of the aluminum in the cooling system, But I have seen mid range trucks that were 15 yrs old and never had the coolant changed.
My Son-in-law has a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4, he was having brake issues with it, he took it to the dealer he had bought it from (used) They ask him when was the last time you changed the brake fluid? They recommend you change it annually and use DOT 5 fluid. They flushed his brake system with new fluid, everything was back to normal.
I retired from auto mechanics after 60+ years, three years ago, and this was the first time I had very heard of this.
Nov 11, 2020 07:41:13 #
My second car that I use for secondary roads is a 2006 Honda Pilot, almost 15 years old. Guess I better check to see the last time the cooling system was flushed and new antifreeze put in. That car is an oldie but goodie that I plan to keep as long as feasible.
Nov 11, 2020 08:00:56 #
It is more than convenience or marketing ploy, they found that 80% of vehicles had either too strong or too weak a solution. Antifreeze is a balance of freeze protection and corrosion protection for the system. 50% is the ideal concentration. Pure ethylene freezes around 30F. Pure water freezes at 32F and will quickly corrode and ruin a cooling system. You get a perfect blend and they make a little money
Nov 11, 2020 08:13:22 #
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