My 1996 A4 2.8 qm will be 3 years old next week. With previous cars that I've owned, I was told that you should replace your antifreeze every two years. However, my A4 manual states: "The cooling system has been filled at the factory with a permanent coolant which does not need to be changed." Never? Doesn't coolant eventually break down too?<p><br>--StevenN, in Western Massachusetts

Actually it turns acidic and eats your engine out from the inside. But New coolants are good for 5 yrs/100,000 miles or so they say. It's kind of a personnal thing like oil changes. If you read the literature it is very safe and less expensive to change your oil every 7,500 miles but most still change it every 3000 miles (I'd trust the engineers but it's a personnal decission) Like oil I'm sure you can send it in for analysis. In fact I think at most auto stores you can have it tested for free..

Like Steve W. below said, it's a personal decision. If it were my car and I had plans to keep it for the long term (like over 100K miles), I would change it. Use one of the phosphate and silicate free coolants. That's apparently what Audi/VW's red coolant is. You can buy it at your dealer, or save a few bucks and buy the Prestone Longlife coolant or one of several other brands that are available.<p>You're pretty much on your own as far as the coolant changing procedure, unless you're one of the few that has the $500 repair manual set, or someone that has it posts a procedure. (Or, you can have your dealer change it).

Most cars use an overflow tank that is not pressurized and vent to the outside. Aidi's tank is part of the pressurized, sealed coolant system and therefore stays cleaner. Since it si long life coolant, I think it is safe for 5 years or 100,000 miles. Just my opinion, of course.

yes it does.........get it changed.