Hello all,
I have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0. I and going to do a full antifreeze flush. My Question for everyone is this,what type of anti-freeze do I use? The A/F I got from the auto parts store was Prestone Prime Orange. This is what they told me was the right stuff for my Jeep. But reading the front label it reads "for use in General motors and Ford cars and light duty trucks" I know that Jeep uses a Pink anti-freeze so is it a big deal?? I did not see any pink A/F anywhere in any auto parts store anywhere! I could go to the dealer & get ripped off for like $25.00 plus a gal? Am I just over thinking it? Any info you guys can give me could sure help.
Thank you.

 

Welcome to CF!

In 2002, Chrysler changed the old ethylene-glycol coolant (green) to a special coolant called HOAT. This was supposedly to protect the aluminum parts of the system, especially the 4.7 cylinder heads, from corrosion. I'm not sure what color it is so you'll have to check on that. It's supposed to last 5 years.

 

I have always used the general coolant that mixes with everything when changing out the fluid. does it really matter which coolant is used or is that restricted to certain years or engines as you mentioned Dave?

 

some of those colors are just manufacturer specific, what they gave you is good for that year.

 

The HOAT Anti-Freeze is ORANGY colored.

 

BTW: Welcome to Cherokee Forum

 

I've been told if you mix the green stuff with HOAT, it will coagulate into sludge. I've never been in that position, so I couldn't tell you if that's true or not. All I know is my 2000 WJ uses the old green ethylene-glycol so that's all I've ever used. Jeep gets weird when it comes to coolants and lubricants. They are trying to make a universal fluid for everything now, depending on the application. There used to be 2 different power steering fluids. Now they make one that can be used in every type of pump. When I changed mine, the parts guy gave me the last 2 bottles of the old stuff he had. I say "gave" because he just wanted it out of his inventory!

 

The HOAT is basically the same as the universal "any make,any model" antifreeze (OAT) with the exception that it has a small amount of silicates (water glass) added to it. Silicates coat iron parts to form a barrier against rust.