Prestone vs. DEX-COOL Concentrate

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Prestone: http://prestone.com/prestone_concentrate_antifreeze/coolant
DEX-COOL: http://prestone.com/prestone_dex_cool_extended_life_antifreeze/coolant

These SDS are for the prediluted...
Prestone: http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/d5/d513817b-7043-485a-b1b6-b4672764630a.pdf
DEX-COOL: http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/7f/7f983fe9-5de5-45b7-8dbe-f02e8c5ff600.pdf

Locally, the Prestone Concentrate is 40% less ($10 vs. $14), and for doing a complete flush/fill, I can't find a compelling reason to choose the branded DEX-COOL product.

Appreciate any insight. Thanks.
 
The only compelling reasons might be to stick with the same coolant chemistry your car has had from day one. If it's gone through multiple changes then I guess it doesn't matter. I've had DexCool in my car for 17 years with no signs of system degradation. So rather than risk not getting all of it out on a flush, and helping to create sludge from mixing incompatible coolants, I stayed with the DexCool. My other car has had the "green" standard coolant chemistry for 14 years and I'll stick with that.

I bought a DexCool 1 gallon concentrate at WM last year for either $10.98 or $11.98. And I mix it 50/50 with an 88c gallon of distilled water from WM. I'd rather do my own mixing than accept a 50/50 pre-mixed gallon at nearly 2X the price.
 
Prestone makes a good dexcool mix, and that's what I've used for the last 10 years. No issues at all. Just change it every 3/36 or whatever your manual says.
 
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Be careful with the Prestone Long Life stuff because PQIA tested it, and it did have phosphate in it. Don't think Dexcool has phosphates in it not over 1,000 ppm.
http://www.pqiadata.org/Prestone5050Prediluted.html


"Q: Does Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?

A: Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free antifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely high mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreeze that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corrosion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem. Typical North American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part of the corrosion inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question of phosphates is a non-issue here in North America. Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant is completely safe for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles." Source:
http://prestone.com/enca/learn_more/frequently_asked_questions
 
Prestone all makes all models is basically Dexcool, from what I understand it's just got a slight change in the additive package with the Dexcool being "stronger". Both are just as good as each other.
 
First, good job finding the new data sheet for the new Prestone with Coreguard. I shot them an email when it came out and asked if it still contains 2eha as an inhibitor. Though they didn't specifically give me a percentage they said it did, and it shows that in the data sheet listing.

2eha is a main inhibitor in DexCool, it's also a known plasticizer. Likely one of the causes of premature LIM gasket failure in earlier GM models. Anyway, you will note the higher numbers for 2eha in the Prestone DexCool. Makes sense since Dex is the licensed Dex AF.

As for Prestone, fitting with it's universal moniker, if accurate it seems using a lower percent 2eha.

I'd say if your vehicle specs DexCool, that is the best choice. Is it $4/gal better? Your call. Prestone universal likely ok in a Dex spec system.
 
Municipal Waste Combustors and their pollution control systems have no problem handling oil stained rags/papers. For those communities and states that still use land fills, it could be a problem.
 
I recently replaced the rad, hoses and thermostat on my escalade. When I picked up my oem rad at the dealer, the guy behind the counter say he has oem AC Delco dex cool for $16 a gallon for the concentrate (I needed 2 gallons). For $2-$3 more per gallon and I was already there, I thought it was worth going oem than prestone or other dexcool as it would be only $6 more every 5 years. I can afford that. With that, when I did the manifold gasket replace in my old s10, I flushed and filled the system w supertech AMAM and it ran normal. My beater Prizm has oreillys dexcool no issues. Toyota has pepboys oem pink no issues. The BMW is still factory fill. In ur case I would go supertech AMAM or prestone AMAM
 
Thanks everyone! Certainly appreciate your time & input.

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
For those who didn't see the data sheet, since they might change it in the future

Here's a good link to bookmark: http://msds.walmartstores.com/

In addition to current SDS, you'll find different versions going back several years.
 
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