Ask the Expert: With extended life coolants on the market today, how important is it for fleets to perform periodic coolant testing?

Q:  There are a number of antifreeze/coolant blends in use today, identified by various colors, some identified as Extended Life Coolants (ELCs) and others as Fully Formulated.  With these new coolants, how important is it for fleets to perform periodic coolant testing?

A:  It’s more important than ever, since some of the chemistry may last a long time and some of it may not. Coolant testing can be performed with test strips or with a refractometer. Depending on usage patterns, some technicians check coolant based on miles driven, some on hours of operation, some on a calendar schedule, and some even based on fuel consumption. The key is to maintain the potency of the coolant and to use appropriate additives when levels of ingredients fall below accepted minimums.

Information provided by: Joe Long, The Penray Companies, Inc.