What anti-freeze are you all using in your Volvo's? In the last year I gradually turned all of my cars into Volvo's (like magic) and I'm getting prepared for "fleet" maintenance.

Any suggestions?

 

I just use Volvo Antifreeze.

 

From the dealer or do you have a source?

 

Sorry....I edited your post ....

I really dont remember where....

Others on this forum use other brands and have no problems.....i will find a link for you...

 

Some good info here....https://volvoforums.com/forum/showth...ht=Anti+freeze

 

Here's what I know about coolants from riding motocross and motorcycles.

Straight Water will actually make a car run slightly cooler, but then you run the risk of it freezing in cold weather, which can and will happen. Its also required by some tracks that you run pure water in your coolant system. Always try to use distilled water, water out of the hose is okay to use but distilled water is better.

Orange antifreeze I believe is what they recommend from the factory. It's all we ever used at MB and BMW. But it has its shortcoming like antifreeze does, like, don't ever mix it with green antifreeze. The different compounds don't mix and will actually cause a reaction over time. If you go from green to orange make sure you flush your system out really well. On new cars the orange antifreeze will last 100000 miles, on older cars 60000 miles.

Green (red/pink same stuff different dye) antifreeze will have to be changed more often as the corrosion inhibitors break down more quickly. I say 30,000 miles or 3 years is about the limit on the green stuff. The good thing about the green stuff is that its usually cheaper and available everywhere.

I know there are a lot of snake oils out there but I do like water wetter, my 242 run's cooler when i have it in the system.

 

Questions generated by last reply. Doesn't straight water, even under the pressure of the cooling system, have a lower boiling point? And, what about its anti-corrosion properties? Longevity of water pump? I know some race tracks don't want antifreeze as its much more slippery when spilled than straight H20.

 

I never ran straight water for more than a week and I always use distilled water because it has a slightly higher boil point. If I ran just water i would add water wetter as a conditioner also but I have ever had a problem or heard of a problem with longevity of the water pump, or seals. You can also add a cup of vinegar and corrosion will not be a factor. Add some parsley, a nice piece of beef, onions potatoes and whatever veggie you like and you'll have a nice soup.

As far as water having a lower boiling point under pressure, thats very wrong. The equilibrium steam/water pressure for temperatures above 100 C is: 110 C - 6psig, 120 C - 14 psig, 130 C - 24.5 psig, 140 C - 37.6 psig, 150 C - 54.3 psig. So with your standard expansion tank caps ranging from about 10psig to about 22psig you are looking at a boiling point 115C to 128C or in Fahrenheit 239F-262F and with distilled water, even higher. I think most antifreeze bottles say something like "good to 236 degrees" on them

 

I run "green" prestone from Walmart. Never had a problem.

 

When I was at Advance Auto getting coolant the other day, I noticed that they don't sell regular green stuff anymore. They only sell the stuff that is compatible with all types of antifreeze.