What coolant do I use for my Honda?

For most Honda cars and SUVs, use Honda Genuine Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 (the blue, pre-mixed 50/50 formula). It’s designed for Honda’s aluminum engines and cooling system materials and is the default factory fill on modern models. Important exception: the 2024–2025 Honda Prologue (built on GM’s Ultium platform) specifies Dex-Cool–type OAT coolant, not Honda Type 2. Always confirm in your owner’s manual or under-hood labels before adding coolant.

What Honda specifies

Honda’s standard coolant is Honda Genuine Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, a pre-diluted 50/50 mix using phosphate organic acid technology (P-OAT). It’s engineered to prevent corrosion in Honda’s aluminum components, water pump, and seals, and to remain stable over long service intervals.

The points below summarize what defines Honda Type 2 and why it matters.

• Pre-mixed 50/50 with deionized water—no extra water needed.
• Phosphate OAT formula; free of silicates, borates, amines, and nitrites for compatibility with Honda materials.
• Dyed blue from the factory (color is not a spec, but the blue dye helps identify Honda Type 2).
• Long-life protection when kept uncontaminated and maintained on schedule.

Taken together, these characteristics mean Type 2 provides the corrosion protection and longevity Honda designed the cooling system around, minimizing pump wear and internal deposits.

Important exceptions

2024–2025 Honda Prologue (GM Ultium platform)

The Prologue uses GM’s thermal systems and calls for Dex-Cool–type OAT coolant (usually orange), typically a 50/50 premix. Do not mix Dex-Cool with Honda Type 2. Follow the Prologue owner’s manual for exact coolant specification and service procedures.

Older Hondas

Some older Hondas originally shipped with a green long-life Honda coolant. Honda Type 2 (blue) supersedes it and is backward-compatible for most legacy Honda automobiles. If your vehicle is unusually old or modified, verify the manual’s exact spec.

Hybrids and models with additional cooling loops

Honda hybrids (e.g., Accord Hybrid, CR‑V Hybrid) typically use Honda Type 2 for engine and power electronics cooling circuits, but they may have specific bleeding procedures and separate reservoirs. Use the manual’s steps to avoid air pockets.

What not to use

Even if a coolant is labeled “universal,” chemistry matters. The wrong additive package can abrade water pump seals, form gels, or shorten coolant life.

• Don’t mix Honda Type 2 with silicate-based “green” coolants or generic universal blends.
• Don’t add Dex-Cool to a Honda (except the Prologue) or mix Dex-Cool with Honda Type 2.
• Avoid adding tap water; minerals can cause scale. Use distilled water only if you must dilute concentrate.
• Don’t exceed ~60% antifreeze concentration; over-concentration reduces heat transfer and can cause overheating.

Sticking to the specified chemistry helps preserve corrosion protection, pump life, and the intended service interval.

How to top up safely

If your coolant is just below the “MIN” line, a small top-up is fine—but do it safely and correctly to avoid burns or introducing air.

1. Work on a cold engine only; pressure and heat can cause scalding if opened hot.
2. Identify the correct reservoir (engine coolant versus inverter/PCU on hybrids).
3. If you know Type 2 is inside, add Honda Type 2 premix to bring the level between MIN and MAX.
4. If you’re unsure what’s in the system, add a small amount of distilled water to reach MIN as a temporary measure, then plan a full flush with the correct coolant.
5. After topping up, run the engine to operating temperature with the heater on HOT to circulate, then recheck the level when cool.

Following these steps avoids contamination and helps ensure the system self-bleeds properly on models without dedicated bleeders.

Service intervals and checks

Maintenance intervals vary by model year and market, but recent Hondas typically go very long on factory fill, then shorter intervals thereafter.

• Many late-model Hondas: first coolant service around 10 years/120,000 miles (192,000 km), then every 5 years/60,000 miles (96,000 km). Check your manual.
• Older models: often every 5 years/60,000 miles, sometimes shorter.
• Prologue (Dex-Cool): follow the Prologue manual/maintenance minder; GM-based systems typically target similar OAT intervals.
• Inspect level and hoses at each oil change; look for leaks, crusted residue, or sweet smell.

These guidelines keep corrosion inhibitors active and maintain proper boiling/freezing protection throughout the vehicle’s life.

Signs of the wrong coolant or a cooling system problem

Early detection can prevent expensive repairs. Watch for the following indicators after service or a top-up.

• Discoloration (brown, milky, or sludgy coolant) or gel-like deposits in the reservoir.
• Frequent low coolant, white residue around hose junctions, or a sweet odor—possible leaks.
• Overheating, weak cabin heat, or fluctuating temperature gauge—possible air pockets or restriction.
• Noise from the water pump area—seal wear can result from incompatible coolant.

If you observe these, stop driving if overheating occurs and have the system pressure-tested and flushed with the correct coolant.

Quick reference: where to confirm the exact spec

Your vehicle’s documentation and labels are the authoritative sources for the correct coolant type and capacities.

• Owner’s manual: the Cooling System section lists the required coolant.
• Under-hood labels or reservoir cap: often note the coolant type.
• Honda/Acura dealer parts counter: provide your VIN for the precise spec.
• For the Prologue: follow the Prologue manual’s Dex-Cool–type requirement.

Verifying before you add anything is the safest way to protect your engine and maintain warranty compliance.

Summary

For nearly all Honda cars and SUVs, use Honda Genuine Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 (blue, 50/50 premix). Do not mix chemistries, and avoid universal or silicate-based coolants. The key exception is the 2024–2025 Honda Prologue, which uses Dex-Cool–type coolant per its GM-based design. When in doubt, consult your owner’s manual or a Honda dealer, and if you’re unsure what’s in the system, top with a little distilled water only as a stopgap and schedule a flush with the correct coolant.

What color is factory Honda coolant?

blue coolant
Jiffy lube topped off my coolant, and now I have been stressing about it. I have since learned that Honda uses their own blue coolant.

What color coolant for Honda Accord?

For most Honda Accords, the recommended coolant color is blue. Specifically, Honda vehicles typically use their own “Long Life” coolant, which is usually blue. However, some older models might use green coolant. It’s always best to check your owner’s manual or consult with a Honda specialist to confirm the correct coolant type for your specific Accord model and year. 
Here’s why it’s important to use the correct coolant:

• Corrosion Protection: Different coolant types contain different corrosion inhibitors designed for specific engine materials (aluminum, steel, etc.). 
• Compatibility: Mixing different types of coolant can lead to problems with your cooling system. 
• Longevity: Using the correct coolant can help ensure the longevity of your cooling system components. 
• Warranty: Using the wrong coolant might void your warranty. 

Do I have to use Honda genuine coolant?

You don’t HAVE to use Honda coolant, just like you don’t have to use Honda oil or Honda gas. What’s important is that what you do use is compatible with the Honda standard. You can use any non-silicate coolant meant for aluminum engines. Most coolants will tell you on the back what standards they’re compatible with.

Does it matter what coolant I use in my vehicle?

The owner’s manual should include a recommended type of coolant for your vehicle’s use. It should include the type of coolant to use, like IAT or OAT, and may recommend specific brands to purchase from. Using the recommended coolant for your vehicle is crucial to avoiding engine damage.