Honda Type 2 Coolant Alternative: Try Them Too

Are you and your Honda getting bored with inserting and taking the same coolant over time? Switching one coolant to another is a good practice to check and experience better engine performance.

Inserting Honda type 2 coolant could always be better and more efficient. It is why it is worth trying Honda type 2 coolant alternatives.

Any coolant without silicates in the formula works efficiently to keep the engine cool and running. Among most other alternative options, Prestone is the perfect substitute.

In addition to this, using premixed coolant is another top-notch choice as it uses distilled water. Many more praiseworthy substitutions also make things better.

The article provides a clear summary of all the worthy alternatives. You’ll get an in-depth analysis of all the type 2 coolant substitutions. So, let’s dive into the deep.

5 Honda Type 2 Coolant Alternative: Equivalents that Make a Difference

Honda takes a few coolants that make a difference. Choosing the right one will be a turning point in your riding journey. Also, a better coolant will provide better functionalities to keep the engine cool while making the engine run at extreme temperatures.

It is why we will discuss some effective Honda type 2 coolant alternatives in-details in this section.

Prestone 50/50 Prediluted Coolant

Prestone is considered an impeccable coolant option for almost every car model, including Honda Auto. Prestone introduces the most effective and quality engine coolant that resists overheating the engine frequently.

In addition, Prestone’s coolant has the following incredible benefits. The reasons for choosing Prestone premixed coolant as a type 2 alternative follow.

Why do You Choose Prestone Premixed Coolant instead of Type 2?

• Evenly distribution of water and antifreeze properties. In other words, this coolant has the same 50:50 ratio of water and antifreeze.
• An equal ratio makes the coolant more efficient, providing the best cooling performance and protection.
• It’s a universal coolant that performs efficiently to keep the engine cool and workable.
• The fluid of the Prestone Platinum coolant works fine at a significantly lower temperature (between -34 and -50 degrees) that withstands the coldest are throughout the world.
• Withstands extreme temperatures, rust, corrosion, etc. Also, it protects the water pump from early damage as it has an OAT (Organic Acid Technology) formulation with Nitrite accessible patented technology.
• Preston’s yellow premixed and concentrated coolant has a demineralized design that provides an optimal mileage guarantee (almost 600k miles or 12k hours).
• This coolant has a unique liquid to fight against particles inside the radiator.
• It can be used with almost all colors of coolant or antifreeze. That means it is safe for any car and other engine parts.
• Prestone coolant is efficient in extending the engine life by ten years formula.

Ethylene Glycol Extended Life

Another similar coolant like Type 2 is Ethylene Glycol long-life coolant. Compared to other coolants, ethylene glycol coolant better prevents engine overheating. This coolant is colorless and odorless and has a -10℉ freezing temperature.

But the freezing temperature drops as soon as you add some water to it. That means this coolant remains liquid at extremely low temperatures.

Reasons for choosing ethylene glycol coolant as a type 2 alternative:

• Ensures the engine works efficiently even at extremely low temperatures and prevents engine overheating in high temperatures.
• This coolant is more thermally conductive than similar glycol-based coolants (propylene glycol).
• Low viscous substances make the flowing of fluid faster to transfer heat quickly and protect against frost.
• It has a higher viscosity formula than water. As a result, ethylene glycol helps to transfer heat efficiently and conduct properties.
• An equal ratio of water and antifreeze components makes it concentrated. According to American Chemistry Council, the alcohol properties make it versatile in winter and summer.
• It also helps the fluid move faster to keep the other internal components functioning.

Zerex Asian Variant Pink and Red

Zerex Asian is claimed as a universal coolant, making it compatible with any car, including Honda. The Red Zerex Asian coolant has no silicate or borate with HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology). Also, there are many exceptional benefits to using this as an equivalent of Type 2 Honda Coolant.

Reasons for choosing Zerex Asian coolant as a type 2 alternative:

• Zerex Asian heavy-duty 100% formulated coolant by Valvoline withstands corrosion, scale, and rust inhibitors to keep the radiators, cooling unit’s parts, and water pump tuning.
• Like other coolants, it has a 50/50 water and antifreeze components ratio, prediluted in distilled water. Modern engine parts deliver rigorous performance at the lowest temperature (-34℉) and the highest temperature (265℉).
• Efficient in maximizing the engine performance and lifespan.
• Unrivaled cooling protection with boiling-resistant performance exceeds industry standards.
• Using this coolant doesn’t leave any side effects on the Aluminum component as it has phosphate additives.
• It offers an incredibly better mileage guarantee (150K miles) or five years.

Amsoil Low Toxic Engine Coolant

Amsoil is another worth substitution for the Type 2 coolant. Typically, Amsoil’s Di-acid technology ensures both ends of the organic acid are activated.

It makes the coolant work efficiently and faster while enhancing protection. However, let’s find out other exceptional benefits of Amsoil coolant.

Reasons for choosing Amsoil Low-toxic coolant as a type 2 alternative:

• It has hugely better freezing protection below the melting point temperature (-36℃) and an upper boiling point temperature (129℃).
• Protective layering with unique organic acids keeps corrosion and rust away from metal surfaces.
• Amsoil delivers praiseworthy protection against overheating and corrosion for up to 1 million miles/1,609,344 km or eight years.
• Amsoil coolant comes with a prediluted 50/50 ratio of water and ethylene glycol. Fortunately, it is compatible with almost all antifreeze or coolant colors, though it is neutral yellow.

Dexcool Long-life Coolant

Another remarkable ethylene glycol-based coolant option is Dexcool coolant. It is mixed with the proper water with better cooling and heat-transferring ability. Also, enhanced heat transfer ability provides more flexible performance according to the engine design.

Reasons for choosing Dexcool coolant as a type 2 alternative:

• The significant advantage of Dexcool coolant is its more extended performance benefits. According to most manufacturers’ recommendations, you need to change it after every 100k mile or at least five years interval.
• The significant difference between Dexcool and regular coolants is their color option. Dexcool coolant is usually red or orange, whereas normal is green or blue.
• It is a safer option for aluminum engines because it uses phosphates and silicates combined with OAT (Organic Acid Technology).
• Transfers excessive heat through the radiator fluid to keep the airflow right.
• Affordable price range.

5 Things You Should Consider When Choosing the Coolant

Choosing the proper coolant is often forgotten or not given enough priority by car owners. As a result, the water pump gets corroded quickly, which causes premature failure. It is why you should choose the proper coolant. But before that, check out the following consideration to buy suitable Honda Type II coolant alternatives.

Don’t Forget to Check the Color

When choosing coolant for the engine, the first thing that comes to mind is coolant color. Color isn’t a severe factor to tell whether coolant is suitable. But still, you need to know which is good. However, green color coolant is considered the most popular.

Red coolant has also an OAT design that is perfect for aluminum radiators. Typically, coolant comes in different colors, like green, blue, yellow, or orange.

Check the Owner’s Manual

The second most crucial factor is checking the owner’s manual. Don’t put the coolant not recommended by the manufacturer or owner’s manual.

If you do, your engine and entire systems fail to work efficiently and overheat the engine. Or, going to the car’s dealership is the most reliable way to get the perfect coolant for your vehicle.

Water Coolant Ratio

Usually, premixed or prediluted with 50/50 water and antifreeze components is better. Also, 60% coolant or antifreeze with 40% water is perfect for keeping the antifreeze or coolant from freezing.

Don’t worry about choosing a 30/70 coolant and water ratio, as it works properly in moderate weather. But the 50:50 combination claims more concentrated and flexible options.

Ingredients

What ingredients make the coolant high-performing? There are four main types of elements that directly contributes to the coolant. The four coolant ingredients are water, ethylene glycol, and corrosion inhibitors.

Most engine coolants have 50% water, and ethylene glycol is the active ingredient. Propylene glycol is toxic-free, whereas ethylene glycol has slight toxicity. If toxicity isn’t your concern, choose ethylene glycol-based engine coolant.

Another ingredient is corrosion inhibitor additives that prevent corrosion. Typically, it varies from country to country what additives are used. In Asia, RCOO^– and PO4^3–are used, whereas European manufacturers use anti-corrosive additives.

Types of Coolant

Mainly three types of coolant are available (IAT, OAT, and HOAT). IAT (inorganic acid technology) based coolant is used in a car containing corrosion inhibitors (silicate ad phosphates). They are usually bright green and last at least two years.

OAT (Organic Acid Technology) based coolant is mainly used in modern cars without corrosion inhibitors (silicates or phosphates). They are efficient in protecting the aluminum engine from heat. Usually, this type of coolant is orange or red and lasts more than five years.

HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) based coolant combines the above two types. They are also orange and yellow. Similar to the OA, they last more than five years as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do You Have to Use Honda Type 2 Coolant?

You can use any non-silicate and anti-corrosive coolant instead of Type 2 coolant. The reliable way to determine which coolant outperform or exceeds expectation, go to the local auto shop or car dealers. Ethylene glycol-based coolant can be used, or any universal coolant option will suit perfectly.

• What Happens If the Wrong Coolant is Used?

Using the wrong or incompatible coolant in your car is never recommended. It will entirely damage the engine, radiators, gasket, radiator hose, water pumps, and other components. Hence, if you notice any symptoms that tell you your coolant is wrong, change them as soon as possible.

Conclusion

For an aluminum engine and any other engine option, especially Honda, Honda type 2 coolant is the best and most recommended coolant option. However, using this coolant repeatedly may be disrupted the performance. In this case, the equivalent of type 2 coolant is necessary.

There are several Honda type 2 coolant alternative that make a difference. Among them, the five alternative options mentioned in this article are praiseworthy.

So, if you are in a dilemma in choosing the compatible equivalent of Honda type 2 coolant to keep the engine, radiators, and other functions efficient, use any of them.