Advance Auto Antifreeze is a coolant sold at Advance Auto Parts stores and online

Advance Auto Antifreeze is a coolant product made by Prestone and sold under the Advance Auto Parts house brand. It comes in concentrated and ready-to-use forms, in different formulations designed for different vehicle types and model years. You'll find it in the cooling system section of any Advance Auto Parts location or on their website.

The product serves the same function as any other antifreeze: it lowers the freezing point of your coolant in winter and raises its boiling point in summer, protecting your engine from temperature extremes. Advance Auto Antifreeze is not exclusive to Advance Auto Parts — Prestone makes the same formulations under other brand names as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Advance Auto Antifreeze comes in multiple formulations, and using the wrong type can damage your cooling system or void your warranty.
  • Your vehicle's owner's manual specifies which coolant type your engine needs, and that specification is the only one that matters.
  • Concentrated antifreeze costs less per ounce but requires you to mix it with distilled water; ready-to-use costs more upfront but needs no mixing.
  • Advance Auto Parts staff can help you find the right product for your vehicle, but you should verify the recommendation against your owner's manual.

Antifreeze types and what your vehicle needs

Modern vehicles use different coolant chemistries, and mixing types can cause corrosion, clogging, or engine damage. The main categories are IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology), OAT (Organic Additive Technology), and HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology). Advance Auto Antifreeze is sold in all three types.

Your owner's manual will state which type your vehicle requires — usually by color (green for IAT, orange or red for OAT, yellow or pink for HOAT) or by name. Do not rely on color alone, because different manufacturers use different colors for the same chemistry. Open your manual or look up your vehicle's year, make, and model on the manufacturer's website to confirm before you buy.

If you're topping off an existing coolant system, match what's already in your radiator. If you're doing a full flush and refill, follow the manual. Mixing old and new coolant of different types is a common cause of cooling system failure.

Concentrated versus ready-to-use antifreeze

Advance Auto Antifreeze is sold in both concentrated and ready-to-use forms. Concentrated antifreeze is mixed with distilled water before it goes into your vehicle — typically a 50/50 ratio, though your manual may specify something different. Ready-to-use comes pre-mixed and goes straight into the radiator.

Concentrated antifreeze costs less per gallon but requires you to have distilled water on hand and to measure and mix correctly. Using tap water instead of distilled water introduces minerals that can clog your cooling system over time. Ready-to-use costs more upfront but eliminates the mixing step and the risk of getting the ratio wrong.

For a routine top-off, ready-to-use is simpler and safer. For a full system flush, concentrated may be more economical if you're doing multiple vehicles or if you already have distilled water.

Where to buy Advance Auto Antifreeze and pricing

Advance Auto Antifreeze is sold at all Advance Auto Parts locations and on their website. You can also find Prestone-branded coolant (the same product under a different label) at most auto parts retailers, big-box stores, and online marketplaces. Prices vary by formulation and whether you're buying concentrated or ready-to-use.

Advance Auto Parts often runs sales on coolant, especially in fall and spring. Signing up for their email list or checking their website before you buy can save you money. If you're a member of their loyalty program, you may receive additional discounts.

How to check your current coolant type if you're unsure

If you don't have your owner's manual handy, you can look up your vehicle's coolant requirement using the year, make, model, and engine size on the manufacturer's website or on a coolant compatibility tool. Many auto parts retailers, including Advance Auto Parts, have online lookup tools that will show you the correct product for your vehicle.

You can also check the color of the coolant currently in your radiator by looking through the translucent overflow tank (do this only when the engine is cold). Write down the color and take a photo if you can, then show it to an Advance Auto Parts associate or cross-reference it with your manual. Color is not foolproof, but it's a starting point.

Mixing Advance Auto Antifreeze with other brands

Mixing different brands of the same coolant type is generally safe — Prestone and other manufacturers make products that meet the same industry standards. What matters is the chemistry (IAT, OAT, or HOAT), not the brand name.

However, mixing different chemistries is not safe, even if they're the same color. If you're topping off your system and you're not certain what's already in it, the safest approach is to do a partial drain and refill rather than guess. Drain a gallon or two of the old coolant, refill with Advance Auto Antifreeze of the correct type, and let the system mix over a few heat cycles.

When to replace your coolant system

Coolant degrades over time and loses its ability to protect your engine. Most manufacturers recommend a coolant flush and refill every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the vehicle and the coolant type. Your owner's manual will specify the interval for your vehicle.

Signs that your coolant needs attention include a sweet smell coming from under the hood, visible leaks under the vehicle, or a rising temperature gauge. If you notice any of these, have your cooling system inspected before you add more antifreeze. A leak or a failing thermostat won't be fixed by new coolant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Advance Auto Antifreeze in any vehicle?

No. You must use the type specified in your owner's manual. Using the wrong type can damage your engine's cooling system. Check your manual or the manufacturer's website for your vehicle's coolant requirement before you buy.

What's the difference between Advance Auto Antifreeze and Prestone?

Advance Auto Antifreeze is made by Prestone and sold under the Advance Auto Parts house brand. The formulations are the same; the difference is the label and the price. Both are reliable products.

Do I need to drain my old coolant before adding Advance Auto Antifreeze?

If you're topping off a low system with the same type of coolant, you don't need to drain anything. If you're doing a full flush or switching coolant types, yes — drain the old coolant first. Your owner's manual will tell you when a flush is due.

Is concentrated or ready-to-use antifreeze better?

Both work equally well if mixed correctly. Concentrated is cheaper per gallon but requires distilled water and careful mixing. Ready-to-use costs more upfront but is simpler and eliminates mixing errors. Choose based on your comfort level and budget.

What should I do with old antifreeze?

Never pour antifreeze down the drain or into the ground — it's toxic and harmful to the environment. Take it to a recycling center, an auto parts store that accepts used coolant, or a hazardous waste collection event in your area. Many Advance Auto Parts locations accept used coolant for recycling.