I have a 2002 OBW and I don't have the owners manual. The car has green antifreeze and I am told it should have orange. Is this correct? What should I do?

green, and if you have a car with orange (GM) then flush is super good and switch to green. Orange stuff sucks

that was kind of funny...i will keep it green then.

Ditto. Keep it green.

 

 

Funny though, cause when I pour in the Shell stuff it's actually blue. As time passes and the myriad of chemical reactions take place it starts to turn green...

 

Red/orange stuff is a different base fluid, and they don't mix with blue/green.

I switched my '98 Legacy L wagon to the Dex-Cool stuff Orange and had one of the ONLY leaking heatercores early in these cars. Dex-a-Cool SUCKSSSSS!! Switch to green or new yellow stuff that goes in ANY make or model.

Do not mix orange and green; they are not compatible. Green was the old standard and is still more than adequate. I've used orange in the past, but it has a tendency to seep out at the slightest opportunity from a loose hose clamp or faulty seal. Although I never had any trouble with orange and there are some good reasons of using it, I switched back to green after a thorough flushing of the system.

Been using orange Prestone Longlife (5 years or 240,000 kilometers) since I have the car (almost 6 years) and have had no problems. Claims to contain no silicates and phosphates, to be specialy recommended for aluminum radiators and to improve water pump life.

It is my personal opinion that regular antifreeze changes can help one to avoid the headgasket problem, and other radiator problems. I like to change it every two years, dilute 60/40 it with distilled water, and use the coolant treatment from the dealer, which costs less than two bucks. I don't know if this will prevent head gasket problems, but it certainly can't hurt.

I switched my 97 OB to the "Orange" anti-freeze years ago with no problem. It it kinder to bearings, etc. I used (Texaco) Havoline brand as it was recommended by someone I trust.

 

However, do not let it go for 5 years. You are pushing your luck. Some of the brands don't even have enough additives to meet the specs I've heard.

 

If you are switching, it is imperative to get ALL the old anti-freeze out. Do 2 or 3 flushes. If you have more than 10% of the green stuff left, it will cause a slimy gooey gunk in your cooling system as the 2 don't mix well.

 

Commuter

If you are refering to the dexcool orange formula, it is very bad and dubbed deathcool: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_dexcool.html

However, not every orange coolant is dexcool. My 2000 lagacy come with orange coolant from the factory. Now it has green subaru coolant.