Antifreeze dumb question really.

**Martinlw** · 13th October 2009, 21:33

Hi,The antifreeze in my Vectra 2002 i aquired about a month ago is orange would it be safe to test this with a hydrometer and just top it up if need be or should i flush it all out and add fresh.How long is the antifreeze supposed to last from when the car was built not this long surely. Regards Martin.

**James24** · 13th October 2009, 22:39

The orange antifreeze is 'lifetime' unlike the older blue/green stuff.

Checking with a hydrometer and a top-up with water or antifreeze (depending on what the hydrometer says) is all I do.

I'm sure you could flush and refill (only with the orange stuff, not the old blue-green stuff) if you wanted to or if you think that there is a good reason to do it.

**ed taylor** · 14th October 2009, 07:45

The orange antifreeze should be changed every 5 years I belive.

**Martinlw** · 14th October 2009, 18:15

Hi,Has Halfords got any antifreeze which is equivalent to Vauxhalls orange long life antifreeze,if they have is there anybody who has used it.Regards Martin.

**clightowler** · 14th October 2009, 18:37

Originally Posted by Martinlw

Hi,Has Halfords got any antifreeze which is equivalent to Vauxhalls orange long life antifreeze,if they have is there anybody who has used it.Regards Martin.

Speak to your Vx dealer first as it prob cheaper to get the original stuff from them than Halfords own stuff if not www.autovaux.co.uk sell the Vx stuff. I just paid abot £3 or thereabouts for a litre to topup , 5 litres is £13.10.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_229902 this is the halfords stuff, £12 for 2 litres, slight difference, same for gear oil, halfords wanted nearly £10 for the veccie spec gear oil, or £3.50 from Vx!!

Also just got original equipment £66 AH battery from Vx for £50inc vat same battery elsewhere £85+ the stealers are starting to get competitive with a lot of general parts now. (Evans Halshaw in Leeds btw)

HTH