Engine coolant??

[puma86]

Just a quick one.

My car takes orange coolant. Do i need to use specified coolant in the maufacturers guide or any orange coolant?

Same for brake/clutch fluid?

If I dont know what type/brand is in it now do i need to drain the contents before topping up on both. How would i do this? would I need to get under the car?

Many Thanks
Kate :o)

[TWR]

Hi, you do not need to use the Manufacturer Spec coolant, the colour you see is antifreeze, the brakes are an other matter, If its Lockheed ( Use Lockheed) If it's Girling ( use girling) some are universal & a lot of people use that, My self when it comes to brakes I use what the Manufacture state. to drop the coolant, undo the bottom hose with the engine COLD.

[Nkakamasembe]

Brake fluid you any brand along as its DOT4 OR the more expensive DOT5 IF ITS A SPORTS CAR.
Check your handbook incase your orange coloured coolant is LONGLIFE. Service history will also guide you on what as been done when.

[buildersmate]

Surely all orange antifreeze IS long-life - that's the colour of its chemical. The stuff lasts up to 5 years. The blue stuff lasts less time than this (2 years). Since it isn't much more expensive at Halford's, I've never seen the point of buying the blue stuff, whatever car one drives.

[snags]

Just out of curiosity 9I've had a quiet day) can you top up with 'blue' if 'orange' is in the system and vice versa?

[Nkakamasembe]

Unless its a matter of life or death.and you can get the system flushed out soon rather than later. the chemical reaction corrodes the aluminium alloy heads etc.

[puma86]

Thank you everyone

:o)