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Old 01-11-2013, 09:49 AM   #1
MeBoosta
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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Metallic Grey

Default Is there something going on with the coolant?

I have a 2012 WRX with about 13k miles on it and i have been noticing in a lot of threads saying to replace the coolant every 30k miles. My coolant is down below the low line.
1. What is the best coolant to use?
2. Should the coolant be that low already?
3. What should i add to the coolant?
4. How should i go about adding the conditioner/water to the coolant when putting it in?

this may be an easy question.....please let me know!
Thanks
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Old 01-11-2013, 10:48 AM   #2
iamrazor
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I'd pick up a gallon of <insert your favorite coolant brand here> and add it to the over flow tank until it is at the correct level.
Personally, I like Prestone. I always keep a gallon of 50/50 on hand and top off my / wife's car when I change oil.

Also, I bet in the owner's manual there is mention of adding coolant and the MFG requirements.

Unless you're tacking the car, I wouldn't worry about adding any additives to the coolant.
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Old 01-11-2013, 11:05 AM   #3
MeBoosta
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cool thanks alot man! I dont have a favorite brand....yet, I'm guna have to run to autozone after work then
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Old 01-11-2013, 11:14 AM   #4
vision.dynamix
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You cant just use any coolant.

And Id wager your coolant level is just fine.

And your still under warranty, send it to the dealer.
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Old 01-11-2013, 12:17 PM   #5
XplicitRacingDesign
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Blue/Charcoal Grey 2 tone

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Quote:
Originally Posted by MeBoosta View Post
I have a 2012 WRX with about 13k miles on it and i have been noticing in a lot of threads saying to replace the coolant every 30k miles. My coolant is down below the low line.
1. What is the best coolant to use?
2. Should the coolant be that low already?
3. What should i add to the coolant?
4. How should i go about adding the conditioner/water to the coolant when putting it in?

this may be an easy question.....please let me know!
Thanks
Is it below the line when hot or cold? It will be different.
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Old 01-11-2013, 02:20 PM   #6
Acejam2k
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Don't even bother with coolant. Boil or pick up some distilled water and pour it into the overflow tank. Keep in mind this level will raise when the car is warm and lower when the car is cold. Be sure the car has cooled overnight first before checking the level to get a proper reading.
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Old 01-11-2013, 03:34 PM   #7
Jack
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I was always too lazy to research the correct coolant. So I'd go to the Subaru dealer and buy OEM with a bottle of conditioner (it's basically stop leak). I think it cost like 32 cents more than prestone at auto zone. That's ok.....I had suby bucks and picked up other stuff while I was there.

Remember to use distalled water. Not spring water, not boiled water, not tap water, not soda water, not scotch and water. CVS has it cheap enough. Distilled water doesn't have minerals and crap to mess up your cooling system like all that other water does.
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Old 01-11-2013, 03:40 PM   #8
Loyale93
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846 View Post
Remember to use distalled water. Not spring water, not boiled water, not tap water, not soda water, not scotch and water. CVS has it cheap enough. Distilled water doesn't have minerals and crap to mess up your cooling system like all that other water does.
You mean boiled tap water isn't the same as distilled water? what about deionized water? Isn't that just water that I haven't put batteries into yet?
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Old 01-11-2013, 04:52 PM   #9
NateLS1
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Your car has blue coolant from the factory, its called Subaru Long Life Super Coolant. Comes 50/50 mixed already. And it definitely lasts longer than 30k.

If you think your low bring it to the dealer, its under warranty.
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Old 01-11-2013, 05:11 PM   #10
downest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NateLS1 View Post
Your car has blue coolant from the factory, its called Subaru Long Life Super Coolant. Comes 50/50 mixed already. And it definitely lasts longer than 30k.

If you think your low bring it to the dealer, its under warranty.

As far as I know Subaru coolant is green, requires mixing with water, and also requires a small bottle of cooling system conditioner. It has a service life of 30k miles, which is why it's listed as part of many 30k/60k/90k services.

We use Honda coolant, which is blue, already mixed, and lasts until your engine has to come out for pistons/spun bearing etc (Honda rates it at 10 years/120k, not too many turbo Subarus go that long without major engine work). It's available at your local Honda dealer for just under $20 per gallon.
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Old 01-11-2013, 05:17 PM   #11
vision.dynamix
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The Subaru Green is also available in 50/50.

Subaru introduced a new Blue coolant a few years ago.
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Old 01-11-2013, 05:18 PM   #12
NateLS1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by downest View Post

As far as I know Subaru coolant is green, requires mixing with water, and also requires a small bottle of cooling system conditioner. It has a service life of 30k miles, which is why it's listed as part of many 30k/60k/90k services.

We use Honda coolant, which is blue, already mixed, and lasts until your engine has to come out for pistons/spun bearing etc (Honda rates it at 10 years/120k, not too many turbo Subarus go that long without major engine work). It's available at your local Honda dealer for just under $20 per gallon.
The green coolant is regular Long Life. They stopped using that in 08 / 09. All 08 sti's have the new blue stuff and all 09 up Subarus have the blue stuff. The service interval is pretty much the same as the Honda, pretty much lasts forever. Although I like changing it anyway.
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Old 01-11-2013, 05:19 PM   #13
Acejam2k
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vision.dynamix View Post
The Subaru Green is also available in 50/50.

Subaru introduced a new Blue coolant a few years ago.
I'm pretty sure 50/50 green is no longer carried. I believe you can only buy green concentrate. If you do find 50/50 green, it's probably years old.
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Old 01-11-2013, 05:20 PM   #14
vision.dynamix
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Acejam2k View Post
I'm pretty sure 50/50 green is no longer carried. I believe you can only buy green concentrate. If you do find 50/50 green, it's probably years old.
Ah. Last time I bought Subaru OEM coolant was in 08. I use Peak Long Life now.

And I only buy concentrate anyway. 50/50 was the same price as concentrate around here.
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Old 01-11-2013, 05:27 PM   #15
Acejam2k
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OP: Your coolant lasts 100k+ and does not need to be changed every 30k. When you do change it, don't bother using that shark chum conditioner. That stuff is known to plug up radiators (too much) and is really only meant for the phase I EJ25's.

The simplest fix in your scenario is to pour in some distilled water and call it a day.
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