That you'd have to ask an expert.  That is not me.  I was only reporting what it says on the bottle regarding phosphate for both Prestone Long Life and Zerex Long Life.  mcneely

---- Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@mymts.net> wrote:
> I've been using VW Blue Gold as long as I've owned the van but am open to equivalents.  Can i top up my van with Xerex for example or do i have to completely flush and refill with the new coolant?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
> On 2014-05-17, at 8:34 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>
> > You are welcome.  Another poster followed up with a photo of the bottle label from the yellow bottle PEL (regular, not diluted).  It states to be phosphate free.  That is true of Zerex long life coolant also.  I use Zerex, which states on the bottle to be phosphate free, and it is yellow.
> >
> > ---- Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:
> >>        McNeely, thanks for this VERY good information !
> >>
> >> Frank
> >>
> >>
> >> On May 16, 2014, at 3:29 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hmmm ..... .  Hard to know what is going on here.  I found this on Prestone=
> >>> 's web site:
> >>>
> >>> "Q:  Does Prestone=C2=AE Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
> >>> A: Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free ant=
> >>> ifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely h=
> >>> igh mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreez=
> >>> e that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it =
> >>> may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corr=
> >>> osion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem.=
> >>> Typical North American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part o=
> >>> f the corrosion inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question =
> >>> of phosphates is a non-issue here in North America. Prestone=C2=AE Antifree=
> >>> ze/Coolant is completely safe for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles=
> >>> . For those consumers who would feel more comfortable using a phosphate-fre=
> >>> e antifreeze, our Prestone=C2=AE LongLife=C2=AE Premixed Antifreeze/Coolant=
> >>> and Prestone=C2=AE Dex-Cool=C2=AE Premixed LongLife=C2=AE Antifreeze/ Cool=
> >>> ant formula=E2=80=99s are phosphate, silicate, and borate free. These coola=
> >>> nts use a special chemistry and technology that extends the life of the cor=
> >>> rosion inhibitor package so that it lasts for five years or 240,000 kms (wh=
> >>> ichever comes first), and is safe for all cars and light trucks (old or new=
> >>> ). Prestone=C2=AE  Dex-Cool=C2=AE Premixed LongLife=C2=AE Antifreeze/ Coola=
> >>> nt has been approved by General Motors under their DEX-COOL=C2=AE specifica=
> >>> tions and is compatible with other DEX-COOL=C2=AE approved coolants.
> >>> * DEX-COOL=C2=AE is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation."
> >>>
> >>> http://prestone.com/products/antifreeze_coolant/product_list
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> The product mentioned in the answer to the question is shown in a yellow bo=
> >>> ttle.  Whether it is a diluted form of the Prestone Extended Life Antifreez=
> >>> e/Coolant also in a yellow bottle is not clear, as is whether that product =
> >>> is phosphate free (based on product descriptions on the Preston web site). =
> >>> I would not trust any product to be phosphate free unless the manufacturer=
> >>> made the claim that it was in print.
> >>>
> >>> As to there being high phospate waters in Europe but not in the U.S., that =
> >>> is simply not true.  There are lots of water sources in the U.S. that are h=
> >>> igh phosphate, especially ones that receive agricultural or urban runoff.  =
> >>> Most watersheds receive both.
> >>>
> >>> mcneely
> >
> > --
> > David McNeely
> >
>

--
David McNeely