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What Coolant to Use in 1996 Cherokee

Old Jun 23, 2024 | 12:51 PM
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Default What Coolant to Use in 1996 Cherokee

I have a '96 Cherokee and I can't tell what coolant to put in it. Green seems like a good option but when I look into the coolant reservoir I'm having a hard time telling if there's blue or green coolant in there. How can I find out what coolant is already in my car? Thanks!
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Old Jun 23, 2024 | 05:28 PM
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From: England
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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I was going to say colour doesn't mean anything, it's just the dye that manufacturer adds - but, of course, it might not be so random in the US.

Cherokees don't need anything special, so best advice is drain, flush (as required) & refill with antifreeze of choice, diluted to suit local climatic conditions.
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Old Jun 24, 2024 | 04:04 AM
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What UKXJ said.
I vote green when it comes to coolant.
I swap mine out every other year just dropping the lower hose.
About 2 gallons comes out meaning there is always a gallon of older coolant in there.
Here is what a properly maintained cooling system looks like.

​​​​​​​
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Old Jun 24, 2024 | 10:18 PM
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Year: 2002
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L (AMC) Straight Six
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I wouldn't use any special coolant. I've always used blue coolant in my '02 Grand Cherokee WJ with the 4.0L I6. When you're dealing with a premium brand (BMW, Mercedes, etc.) OR GM (they use DexCool, which is a special kind of coolant formulated for their products), then that's when you have to worry about what kind of coolant you're putting in it. In fact, I believe my older (almost 20-year-old) BMW uses blue coolant, and we don't put BMW coolant in it anymore. My '14 WK2 Grand Cherokee with the 3.6L V6 ALSO uses blue coolant.

-Vince
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Old Jun 25, 2024 | 03:06 PM
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Jeep 3.7 V6's & 4.7 V8's fall into the need special anti-freeze category but all you need for an XJ is common or garden ethylene glycol (which is usually blue or green, depending on brand but may be yellow or, possibly, orange.) Longlife's fine (usually red) if you plan on keeping the Jeep 5 years &, in that time, don't expect to have to replace, rad, HG, 'stat, any hose(s), water pump, heater matrix or any combination of 2 or more, so the extra cost will justify itself.
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