Type of coolant for 2006 model

[nofear6235]

I have 2006 WRX TR and I noticed that my coolant level is low (around 38.000 miles on clock), I like to add some. I never replaced original coolant yet.
Should I get some Subaru brand from the dealer or I can add/mix some generic one?
I am planning to replace all coolant next summer.
Thanks,
Alex

[06wrx4me]

I have 2006 WRX TR and I noticed that my coolant level is low (around 38.000 miles on clock), I like to add some. I never replaced original coolant yet.
Should I get some Subaru brand from the dealer or I can add/mix some generic one?
I am planning to replace all coolant next summer.
Thanks,
Alex

Your coolant should be replaced every 30k miles, do it now. USE ONLY SUBARU LONG LIFE COOLANT. You will also need a bottle of conditioner from Subaru. Go buy it at the dealer.

Warning:
Subaru coolant is not formulated to mix with other coolants. Forget what you think you may know, color means nothing.


FWIW
08+ use Subaru Super Long Life Coolant.

[nofear6235]

Forget what you think you may know, color means nothing.
Well, I know that much.
Otherwise thanks for the quick reply. All I need to know.

[TrackReady]

DONT use the conditioner, it has bene discussed many times that it contains a type of stop leak. use the subaru coolant though... Sure you could use the universal coolants at autozone etc, and they will work, and you will probably never have a problem. But, the universal coolants sacrifice some cooling properties to make them "one size fits all" Subaru works the best. Also make sure you get distilled water to mix with it, should be able to get it at the grocery store for about 50 cents a gollon

[nofear6235]

DONT use the conditioner, it has bene discussed many times that it contains a type of stop leak. use the subaru coolant though... Sure you could use the universal coolants at autozone etc, and they will work, and you will probably never have a problem. But, the universal coolants sacrifice some cooling properties to make them "one size fits all" Subaru works the best. Also make sure you get distilled water to mix with it, should be able to get it at the grocery store for about 50 cents a gollon

Thanks for chip in.
Will def use Subaru coolant, already got it today from the dealer and will mix 50/50 as noted on the bottle sticker, I am planning to use it all 12 month, make it all season and of course it will be distilled water.
A little off topic. Just curious if my local Subie parts store fairly charge me.
For each gallon coolant $16.29
conditioner $1.18
I also got oil plug gaskets for 99 cents each.
Sounds fair to me.

Alex

[teflon_jones]

If that's really long life coolant then it only needs to be replaced every 100k miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. If the recommended service interval on the coolant is 30k, then that's not long life coolant.

[nofear6235]

yesterday, when I went to the dealer parts dept, I pick up one of the bucklets from the counter, breefly look through.
I did read an article about the difference between Long Life Coolant (green) and the Super Long Life (blue)
It did say that the green one needs to be change every 30.000 mles or 30 month I believe, and the blue is 11 years or over 100.000 miles (don't remember exact #).
Both numbers are really surprising. 30.000 miles is being too quick IMO, and over 100.000, 11 years too long.
But what do I know
Also, the blue one is pre-mix and no need to be deluted with water.
Both these coolant can be mixed between each other, but then coolant replacement period will fail to 30.000 miles.
Alex

[nofear6235]

I want to resurrect my old thread.
My question is about coolant conditioner.
Does it have any benefits or actually opposite when added as Subaru recommend to the Long Life coolant?
I've heard contradicting opinions.
Alex

[06scoobyrex]

Well as far as just cooling the engine the distilled water is what is actually keeping it cool... I'm kinda biased when it comes to "factory coolants" cause I absolutley hate gm's dex cool... all dex cool does is cause clogging problems and turn to jelly but they say it only has to be changes every 150K miles... call a subaru dealer or soa to get more info...

[nofear6235]

Well as far as just cooling the engine the distilled water is what is actually keeping it cool... I'm kinda biased when it comes to "factory coolants" cause I absolutley hate gm's dex cool... all dex cool does is cause clogging problems and turn to jelly but they say it only has to be changes every 150K miles... call a subaru dealer or soa to get more info...

Subaru dealer actually sold me the conditioner twice, each time I went to pick up the coolant.

[wrxjdm]

Thanks for asking those questions I'm having the same problem and the service writer at my dealership is an idiot. I think I'm going to try the super long life and hope the problem resolves. I've heard the additive is like stop leak because they are know for leaking coolant into the head. Not sure if thats true. I just want to stop having to check it so often. is anyone else having this problem.

[nofear6235]

Thanks for asking those questions I'm having the same problem and the service writer at my dealership is an idiot. I think I'm going to try the super long life and hope the problem resolves. I've heard the additive is like stop leak because they are know for leaking coolant into the head. Not sure if thats true. I just want to stop having to check it so often. is anyone else having this problem.

I am not sure I understood correctly your question. What you check so often and what problem you have?
As for me, I am new to most of Impreza maintenance yet and almost satisfied with answers to my questions from the board members, would like to hear more opinions on conditioner though, should or shouldn't. If no more reply on conditioner, this coming weekend I will use undiluted Long Life coolant mixed with distill water 50/50 and will add the conditioner as a service manual suggest and most people do.
BTW, anyone know from the top of the head, how often thermostat needs to be change? I hope not every coolant replacement e.g 30K

[SD_GR]

I am not sure I understood correctly your question. What you check so often and what problem you have?
As for me, I am new to most of Impreza maintenance yet and satisfied with answers to my questions from the board members in my thread. This coming weekend I will use undiluted Long Life coolant mixed with distill water 50/50 and will add the conditioner as a service manual suggest and most people do.
BTW, anyone know from the top of the head, how often thermostat needs to be change? I hope not every coolant replacement e.g 30K

The thermostat isn't listed as an item for regular service. An opportune time to change it would be when the timing belt is changed, since almost everything else on the front of the motor will be apart anyway. However, it is easy to access the thermostat at any time. I have not changed mine at 160k Km. I might, then again I might not; I've not decided quite yet.

[nofear6235]

That is what I thought. Thanks SD!
What is your take on conditioner man, share with me please
Do you use it? Common sense told me that this thing definitely not for cooling engine, but to stop "possible" leaks, at the same time the whole coolant system may get clogged slowly, but again, if it would be the case, why Subaru recommend, or at the same time why Subaru continue make leaking engines,,.Hmm

[SD_GR]

I did not use it the last time I changed coolant. However, many, many people do. I am unaware of gasket problems with the WRX engines. I am also unaware of problems introduced by the coolant itself. In other words, I don't know... Maybe someone that knows some more info will post. Good question.