When to flush coolant?

I changed my fluid and thermostat at 100k.

 

Coolant turns acidic if it's not flushed or changed at recommended service intervals and will cause accelerated corrosion and gasket damage

 

Just like oil, I'm certain recommended intervals are exaggerated by manufacturers of the products and vehicles to keep money flowing in. And similarly, as product quality increases over time, intervals can be extended. (who actually changes oil at 3k any more?! lol).

For my coolant....I'm now at the point where I drain and refill the radiator at oil change intervals which is about 1x per year, or 10k miles.

 

I did mine at 10OK miles.

 

(Puke) for environmental concern? Yeesh

 

Since you brought it up, what do you do with the old coolant?

 

Pour it in the woods or down the sewer, obviously!

(I drop it off at county recycling centers or Auto Parts store who accept it.)

 

This is what I want to know also, my town has hazardous waste day once a year, I don’t want to keep it that long. Does auto parts store take this old antifreeze. Like advanced auto parts.

 

I ask because years ago I called the City and they actually suggested pouring down the storm drains.

Since you change it less frequently than oil, I haven't had the occasion to try and recycle it myself. Have to ask next time I'm in the local parts store chain.

Last time it was done, a shop did it.

 

If they don't, just time your coolant change w/ the yearly recycling. Then you don't have to store the old stuff

 

A lot of locations allow you to pour it down the sewer drain. I get it gets so diluted so quickly it doesn’t make a difference?
Around here, auto parts stores take it.

 

what what im getting on my Truck is initial drain and refill at 100k miles then drain and refill every 50-60k miles if I remember correctly, but it couldn't hurt to run a few gallons of distilled water thru the system also IMO

 

man that just doesn't sound right, I wouldn't recommend draining it into the sewer no way no how, so many places to discard it safely.

 

Long time ago, guess no one ever inquired before. Never did it.

 

my brother did that in front of my house once, the top of my head blew off, he also said a local fireman told him it was ok to drain his antifreeze into the storm drain. I thought for sure a neighbor was going to call the EPA on me with a giant fine for me.

 

Having lived in California I’m normally instantly opposed to any green weenie nonsense, but even I wouldn’t pour coolant down the drain.

 

FYI I was able to get the Genuine Toyota LL coolant on sale for $17 a gallon. That’s cheap enough to flush every few years for piece of mind.

 

*drink*