I've been using VW Blue Gold as long as I've owned the van but am open to equivalents.  Can i top up my van with Xerex for example or do i have to completely flush and refill with the new coolant?

Thanks
Jeff

On 2014-05-17, at 8:34 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:

> You are welcome.  Another poster followed up with a photo of the bottle label from the yellow bottle PEL (regular, not diluted).  It states to be phosphate free.  That is true of Zerex long life coolant also.  I use Zerex, which states on the bottle to be phosphate free, and it is yellow.
> 
> ---- Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:
>>        McNeely, thanks for this VERY good information !
>> 
>> Frank
>> 
>> 
>> On May 16, 2014, at 3:29 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
>> 
>>> Hmmm ..... .  Hard to know what is going on here.  I found this on Prestone=
>>> 's web site:
>>> 
>>> "Q:  Does Prestone=C2=AE Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
>>> A: Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free ant=
>>> ifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely h=
>>> igh mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreez=
>>> e 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 corr=
>>> osion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem.=
>>> Typical North American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part o=
>>> f the corrosion inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question =
>>> of phosphates is a non-issue here in North America. Prestone=C2=AE Antifree=
>>> ze/Coolant is completely safe for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles=
>>> . For those consumers who would feel more comfortable using a phosphate-fre=
>>> e antifreeze, our Prestone=C2=AE LongLife=C2=AE Premixed Antifreeze/Coolant=
>>> and Prestone=C2=AE Dex-Cool=C2=AE Premixed LongLife=C2=AE Antifreeze/ Cool=
>>> ant formula=E2=80=99s are phosphate, silicate, and borate free. These coola=
>>> nts use a special chemistry and technology that extends the life of the cor=
>>> rosion inhibitor package so that it lasts for five years or 240,000 kms (wh=
>>> ichever comes first), and is safe for all cars and light trucks (old or new=
>>> ). Prestone=C2=AE  Dex-Cool=C2=AE Premixed LongLife=C2=AE Antifreeze/ Coola=
>>> nt has been approved by General Motors under their DEX-COOL=C2=AE specifica=
>>> tions and is compatible with other DEX-COOL=C2=AE approved coolants.
>>> * DEX-COOL=C2=AE is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation."
>>> 
>>> http://prestone.com/products/antifreeze_coolant/product_list
>>> 
>>> 
>>> The product mentioned in the answer to the question is shown in a yellow bo=
>>> ttle.  Whether it is a diluted form of the Prestone Extended Life Antifreez=
>>> e/Coolant also in a yellow bottle is not clear, as is whether that product =
>>> is phosphate free (based on product descriptions on the Preston web site). =
>>> I would not trust any product to be phosphate free unless the manufacturer=
>>> made the claim that it was in print.
>>> 
>>> As to there being high phospate waters in Europe but not in the U.S., that =
>>> is simply not true.  There are lots of water sources in the U.S. that are h=
>>> igh phosphate, especially ones that receive agricultural or urban runoff.  =
>>> Most watersheds receive both.
>>> 
>>> mcneely
> 
> --
> David McNeely
>