Zerex 618-1 Extended Life
 

I was at NAPA over the weekend getting parts and noticed this antifreeze, Zerex 618-1 Extended Life. I gotta change mine soon and wondered if anyone was using it. It is Cummins 14603 approved.

It costs about $11 a gallon at NAPA.

Vendor info here: http://www.valvoline.com/products/co.../antifreeze/43

If you wish to change formulas, that should be fine. You will want to do a real good flush.

Its hybrid organic acid technology aka HOAT so it should be OK to use.

I called peak antifreeze tech dept. They said that their extended life 150 k mile antifreeze was organic type.. It't 7.00 per gal at wally world.. Anyone used this brand that knows for sure

Glad to see this thread. My '05 needs a top-off and rather than do that I thought about doing a drain and flush. But I'm not sure which coolant to go with. Don't want to get it from the dealer as they want $21 a jug. Unreal!

I also want to switch to this coolant, and I am doing a waterpump. Any instructions on how to do a good flush?

As I understand it OAT is not the same as HOAT antifreeze so I stick with that it was made for HOAT.

Zerex Extended Life
 

Is the Zerex Extended Life a HOAT coolant? I noticed they are both Cummins 14603 compatible but it doesn't say anything about HOAT. The service intervals on the Extended Life is 6 years / 600,000 miles. Where as the Zerex G-05 is only 5 years / 150,000 miles.

Zerex Extended Life
 

After posting I did find on Zerex's website that it was NOT HOAT. It is in the fine print about their patent technology. I contacted Valvoline and they confirmed it was OAT.

While Zerex 618-1 Extended Life coolant meets Cummins 14603, DDC, Terex, Cat EC-1 and other heavy duty diesel engine requirements. It does mention that this coolant is recommended for all "heavy duty" cooling systems; however, suggesting it is formulated for over the road semi trucks, earthmoving equipment and marine applications. The Zerex 618-1 also requires the use of their Extended Life Extender supplement similar to most other "heavy duty" coolants containing organic acid technology marketed today. The CTD in the Dodge Ram does not fall within this heavy duty category. The Dodge Ram requires a (Glysantin) G-05 HOAT chemistry which meets and/or exceeds the following industry and engine specifications: Chrysler MS9769, Ford WSS-M97B51-A1, ASTM D3306
As per the technical data sheets, Zerex 618-1 does not meet Chrysler's performance specification MS-9769 and G-05 manufacturer's requirement.

Given the aforementioned information, the recent financial troubles with Dodge and their dealers' willingness to void warranty claims for any given reason, I do not recommend using the "all makes all models" formulated coolants or any other non approved formulation in a vehicle factory filled with HOAT G-05 coolant. The dilution/mixing with non-equivalent coolants will significantly reduce or eliminate the extended life properties (600,000 miles). Most importantly, the mixing of Hoat and Oat formulations may result in unwanted compatability issues.

The following list contains four readily available G0-5 HOAT coolants that meet the requirements as mentioned above.

Mopar 5 Year/100,000 Mile with (HOAT) Embittered

Ford / Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - Ford Part #VC-7A

Mercedes Benz Antifreeze Agent - Part # Q 103 0002

Valvoline Zerex G-05 Hoat - Available in concentrate. The NAPA part # is ZXG051. NAPA carries all of the Valvoline product line. If they do not have it on the shelves or behind the counter, a store associate can order it for you.

I hope you find this information helpful.

So is the Zerex G05 the only over the counter there is? When i replace the water pump I bought gallon of orange stuff like what was in it and water. Only about 3k miles Flushing this weekend. Have i screwed something up?

The Zerex G-05 at this time, is the only manufacturer approved product available over the counter. The Zerex is available at NAPA as noted in my previous post. You can also purchase it at Carquest by placing an order with the sales representative at your local store. The other three coolants listed are G-05 formulations as well; albeit, may cost more than the Zerex.

What orange product are you referring to? The aftermarket is filled with high and low-quality coolants of all colors; therefore, color is not a good indicator of the type of coolant. Just because the coolant used to top it off was orange, does not indicate that it is the same as the coolant in the vehicle.

I bought mine at Autozone. Zerex-05.

Can you still get it there? I have had to go to NAPA the last couple of times because I thought AZ quit carrying it, at least anywhere close to me.

..

I'll look next time I'm by.