I recently drained, flushed and replaced the engine coolant. In my car, according to the FSM, coolant replacement is called for after the first 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 36 months; then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months. As there are many different types of coolant, before replacement I researched the type of coolant recommended for use in Mazda engines. I found some useful information on two forum discussions: one on bobistheoilguy's website (apparently, bobisthecoolantguy also) that can be accessed at:
The other on miata.net at:
The following material is excerpted from those discussions and represents the statements made by the threads' posters.
Prior to the 2005 model year, Mazdas were equipped with a first generation P-OAT (Phosphated Organic Acid Technology) coolant develped and manufactured by CCI, the leading Japanese coolant company. P-OAT coolants rely on a combination of phosphates and organic acids to prevent corrosion; they contain no silicates or borates. Japanese engine manufacturers believe silicates and borates are undesirable because of their abrasiveness (they can attack water pump seals, for example) and they are less effective in fighting corrosion than phosphates. The other major Japanese automakers, Honda, Nissan and Toyota all use essentially the same coolant technology.
Mazda sells this coolant as: Genuine Mazda Long Life Coolant. According to the labels on the container, its ingredients are Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Hydroxide. It meets ASTM spec D-3306. It is a concentrate and Mazda recommends a 50/50 mixture of Mazda Long Life Coolant and demineralized water for year round protection. The part number is 0000-77-501E-02.
The current cost of one gallon at my dealer is US $21.58 + $1.52 state theft for a total of US $23.10.
Because there are several different types of coolant, specific product information is not always easy to come by (some ingredients can be legally hidden as proprietary information), and the wrong choice of coolant can actually harm the engine or render the factory fill less effective, I decided to go with the genuine Mazda stuff since it's made specifically for our engines. I'll also use it for future top-ups as necessary to maintain the purity of the fluid.
In the 2005 model year, Mazda started using a second generation coolant which has a lower concentration of phosphates and an improved organic acid additive package. This in fact may be a P-HOAT formulation in which the H signifies hybrid - that is, both organic and inorganic acids are used as additives to improve corrosion resistance and further extend the life of the coolant. This is an ethylene glycol based, premixed (I believe 55/45), longer-life coolant labeled "FL22." I believe it has the same ingredient makeup as the older Mazda fluid but not having a container in front of me I can't be sure. The part number is 0000-77-508E-20. To learn more about this product including a list of Mazdas that use FL22 as a factory fill, go to Technical Service Bulletin 01-033/07 available at:
As can be seen in the TSB, Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles began using FL22 sometime during the 2008 model year and can be identified by the FL22 marking on the cooling system filler cap. The Mazda6 has used FL22 since 2006 and the Mazdaspeed6 since sometime during the 2007 model year. It's also clearly stated that older Mazdas not originally filled with FL22 can use FL22 as a replacement. If done, an FL22 sticker must be placed on the coolant tank signifying the change has been made (the dealer is mandated to do this). A thorough flush of the older coolant must be carried out and the two must never be mixed as even a small remainder will eliminate the FL22's extreme longevity properties.
In the Mazda3 using FL22, according to the FSM, the interval before the first replacement is 10 years/120,000 miles (192,000 km) for an OEM factory fill in a new engine, and 5 years/60,000 miles (96,000 km) for subsequent replacement fills. In my wife's '06 3 that does not use FL22, coolant replacement is recommended after the first 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 4 years; then every 2 years. In terms of replacing our present coolant with FL22, what I'm not sure of is whether "older Mazdas" means those dating from 2004 or if it also includes Proteges back to the 1st Gen? As before, FL22 is very similar to extended life coolants used in other Japanese vehicles.
According to the forum discussions, until recently the only source of P-OAT (or P-HOAT) replacement coolant for Japanese cars was the dealer. However, CCI, the Japanese company that originally developed the P-OAT chemistry, also has a large presence in the US where it is a leading contract coolant manufacturer. In addition to making the Japanese OEM coolants, they also manufacture Peak, Zerex, Motorcraft and most private label coolants including conventional green North American coolant. For an overview of CCI, go to:
Again, referring to the bob forum, the claim is made that Motorcraft Specialty Green Engine Coolant is identical to FL22. I can't, and don't wish to, verify this so if you're interested in using it as an alternative to OEM, check it out for yourself.
Finally, mention is made of Zerex Asian Vehicle Antifreeze/Coolant as a viable aftermarket alternative that meets the long-life coolant specifications of Asian vehicles. Manufactured by CCI, this premixed with demineralized water coolant has a 5 year/150,000 mile guarantee, is recommended for all Asian vehicles, is compatible with Asian coolants and cooling systems, and is silicate-free. It's said to have a P-HOAT formulation. More information available at:
This might be a product worth looking into as an alternative to OEM.
For myself, I think I'll stick with OEM; it's so much simpler.
Happy Motoring!
The other on miata.net at:
The following material is excerpted from those discussions and represents the statements made by the threads' posters.
Prior to the 2005 model year, Mazdas were equipped with a first generation P-OAT (Phosphated Organic Acid Technology) coolant develped and manufactured by CCI, the leading Japanese coolant company. P-OAT coolants rely on a combination of phosphates and organic acids to prevent corrosion; they contain no silicates or borates. Japanese engine manufacturers believe silicates and borates are undesirable because of their abrasiveness (they can attack water pump seals, for example) and they are less effective in fighting corrosion than phosphates. The other major Japanese automakers, Honda, Nissan and Toyota all use essentially the same coolant technology.
Mazda sells this coolant as: Genuine Mazda Long Life Coolant. According to the labels on the container, its ingredients are Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Hydroxide. It meets ASTM spec D-3306. It is a concentrate and Mazda recommends a 50/50 mixture of Mazda Long Life Coolant and demineralized water for year round protection. The part number is 0000-77-501E-02.
The current cost of one gallon at my dealer is US $21.58 + $1.52 state theft for a total of US $23.10.
Because there are several different types of coolant, specific product information is not always easy to come by (some ingredients can be legally hidden as proprietary information), and the wrong choice of coolant can actually harm the engine or render the factory fill less effective, I decided to go with the genuine Mazda stuff since it's made specifically for our engines. I'll also use it for future top-ups as necessary to maintain the purity of the fluid.
In the 2005 model year, Mazda started using a second generation coolant which has a lower concentration of phosphates and an improved organic acid additive package. This in fact may be a P-HOAT formulation in which the H signifies hybrid - that is, both organic and inorganic acids are used as additives to improve corrosion resistance and further extend the life of the coolant. This is an ethylene glycol based, premixed (I believe 55/45), longer-life coolant labeled "FL22." I believe it has the same ingredient makeup as the older Mazda fluid but not having a container in front of me I can't be sure. The part number is 0000-77-508E-20. To learn more about this product including a list of Mazdas that use FL22 as a factory fill, go to Technical Service Bulletin 01-033/07 available at:
As can be seen in the TSB, Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles began using FL22 sometime during the 2008 model year and can be identified by the FL22 marking on the cooling system filler cap. The Mazda6 has used FL22 since 2006 and the Mazdaspeed6 since sometime during the 2007 model year. It's also clearly stated that older Mazdas not originally filled with FL22 can use FL22 as a replacement. If done, an FL22 sticker must be placed on the coolant tank signifying the change has been made (the dealer is mandated to do this). A thorough flush of the older coolant must be carried out and the two must never be mixed as even a small remainder will eliminate the FL22's extreme longevity properties.
In the Mazda3 using FL22, according to the FSM, the interval before the first replacement is 10 years/120,000 miles (192,000 km) for an OEM factory fill in a new engine, and 5 years/60,000 miles (96,000 km) for subsequent replacement fills. In my wife's '06 3 that does not use FL22, coolant replacement is recommended after the first 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 4 years; then every 2 years. In terms of replacing our present coolant with FL22, what I'm not sure of is whether "older Mazdas" means those dating from 2004 or if it also includes Proteges back to the 1st Gen? As before, FL22 is very similar to extended life coolants used in other Japanese vehicles.
According to the forum discussions, until recently the only source of P-OAT (or P-HOAT) replacement coolant for Japanese cars was the dealer. However, CCI, the Japanese company that originally developed the P-OAT chemistry, also has a large presence in the US where it is a leading contract coolant manufacturer. In addition to making the Japanese OEM coolants, they also manufacture Peak, Zerex, Motorcraft and most private label coolants including conventional green North American coolant. For an overview of CCI, go to:
Again, referring to the bob forum, the claim is made that Motorcraft Specialty Green Engine Coolant is identical to FL22. I can't, and don't wish to, verify this so if you're interested in using it as an alternative to OEM, check it out for yourself.
Finally, mention is made of Zerex Asian Vehicle Antifreeze/Coolant as a viable aftermarket alternative that meets the long-life coolant specifications of Asian vehicles. Manufactured by CCI, this premixed with demineralized water coolant has a 5 year/150,000 mile guarantee, is recommended for all Asian vehicles, is compatible with Asian coolants and cooling systems, and is silicate-free. It's said to have a P-HOAT formulation. More information available at:
This might be a product worth looking into as an alternative to OEM.
For myself, I think I'll stick with OEM; it's so much simpler.
Happy Motoring!
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