Use and Maintenance Guidelines for Extended-Life (OAT
and NOAT) Coolants
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Freightliner Custom Chassis
Service Bulletin

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Description of Revisions: This bulletin replaces the version dated
September 2008. Extended-life coolants used by Freightliner Custom Chassis meet Cummins standards and are approved for use
in Cummins engines.

General Information
The purpose of this service bulletin is to explain the correct use and maintenance of extended-life coolants
(ELC), and to identify Freightliner-approved coolant types.

CAUTION
Do not use automotive-type coolants in any heavy-duty cooling system. They do not contain adequate
corrosion protection, and serious engine damage could result.
See the enclosed color reference card to identify Freightliner-approved coolants by color.

NOTE: Additional color reference cards (Form Number TSS408) can be ordered through Access
Freightliner. Go to www.accessfreightliner.com, then select "Tools and Services"; then select "Technical Publications Ordering" link; then select "Freightliner/FCCC Technical Publications Request
Form".
IMPORTANT: All Freightliner Custom Chassis products are factory filled with Fleetcharge® conventional coolant as standard (other coolant types are available as an option), which is a fully formulated
coolant, not an extended-life coolant.
Always check the engine manufacturer’s website for the most recent information concerning recommended coolant.
The major difference between extended-life coolants and fully formulated conventional heavy-duty coolants is
the type of inhibitors used. Fully formulated conventional heavy-duty coolants use inhibitors called SCAs
(Supplemental Coolant Additives). Extended-life coolants (sometimes called long-life coolants) contain inhibitors
that use Organic Acid Technology (OAT) or Nitrited Organic Acid Technology (NOAT). These inhibitors deplete
much more slowly than SCAs. This allows for a much longer interval before the inhibitors need to be replaced.
As long as correct topping-off procedures are used to prevent dilution/contamination, the coolant will be good
for 300,000 miles (482 700 km) or 6000 hours of engine operation. At this interval period, using an ELC extender will extend the coolant another 300,000 miles (482 700 km) or 6000 hours of engine operation.
There are several different brand names of extended-life coolants that are compatible with each other. See
Table 1.

NOTE: Use only the brands shown in Table 1.
There are two ways to visually identify a system with an extended-life coolant.
• A label is installed near the fill point on or near the surge tank.
• The color of the coolant is strawberry-red or orange.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Service Bulletin, December 2008

Page 1

Use and Maintenance Guidelines for Extended-Life (OAT
and NOAT) Coolants

20-5

Freightliner Custom Chassis
Service Bulletin

> Recreational Vehicle
> School Bus
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Compatible Pre-Mixed Extended-Life Coolants
Part
Supplier
Product Name
Qty.
Number
*
Texaco Extended-Life Coolant (ELC), Pre-Diluted 50/50
7998
102844
1 gallon
Caterpillar Extended-Life Coolant (ELC) 50/50 Premix
1292151
5 gallons
102845
55 gallons
23519396
6 gallons
Detroit
Power Cool Plus® Pre-Blended 50/50
Diesel
23519398 55 gallons
Rotella ELC® Pre-Diluted 50/50 Extended-Life
*
Shell
94042
Coolant

> Walk-In Van
> S2 Chassis

Color

Use

Strawberry-red
Initial Fill and
Top-Off
Orange
Strawberry-red

* Specify quantity when ordering.

Table 1, Compatible Pre-Mixed Extended-Life Coolants

Maintenance of Extended-Life Coolants
With correct maintenance, extended-life coolants are designed to provide engine protection for 600,000 miles
(965 000 km) or 12,000 engine operation hours. An extender must be added at 300,000 miles (483 000 km), or
6000 engine operation hours. Ordinarily, extended-life coolants need very little additional maintenance. It is important, however, to check the coolant at oil change intervals for color, clarity, dilution, and freeze point
protection. See Table 2 for maintenance procedures.

Procedure
Topping Off
Testing Freeze Point
Visual Inspecting
ELC Coolant Test
Strip
Adding Extender

Extended-Life Coolant Maintenance
Interval
Notes
As Needed
Use only a compatible pre-mix coolant. See Table 1.
Every 6 to 12 months*
Use only a refractometer to test.
Every 6 to 12 months*
Color and clarity should be bright and free of contaminants.
Every 6 to 12 months*
300,000 miles (483 000 km) or 6000
engine operating hours

Test for dilution and/or contamination of coolant.
Use a compatible extended-life coolant extender. See
information under "Adding Extenders."

* Interval depends on topping-off frequencies.

Table 2, Extended-Life Coolant Maintenance

Topping Off the System
Top off the system as needed, using an approved pre-mix extended-life coolant. See Table 1.

IMPORTANT: An approved extended-life coolant must be used to maintain the extended-life benefits
in the system. Topping off with a fully formulated conventional heavy-duty coolant will not damage the
cooling system, but any benefits of an extended-life coolant will be lost. If accumulated top offs with
fully formulated conventional heavy-duty coolants exceed 10 percent of the cooling system’s capacity,
either drain and flush the system, and refill it with an approved extended-life coolant, or maintain the
system with fully formulated coolants and SCAs going forward.

Page 2

Freightliner Custom Chassis Service Bulletin, December 2008

Use and Maintenance Guidelines for Extended-Life (OAT
and NOAT) Coolants
> Recreational Vehicle
> School Bus
> Shuttle Bus

20-5

Freightliner Custom Chassis
Service Bulletin

> Walk-In Van
> S2 Chassis

Freeze Point Checking
Use only a refractometer to check the freeze point; a hydrometer is not accurate enough. The freeze point
should be maintained at –34°F (–37°C) with a 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water. To increase the freeze point,
add an approved concentrate to achieve the correct ratio of antifreeze to water. See Table 3 for compatible
concentrates.
Compatible Extended-Life Coolant Concentrates
Part
Qty.
Supplier
Product Name
Number
*
Texaco Extended-Life Coolant (ELC) Concentrate
7997
119515
1 gallon
Caterpillar Extended-Life Coolant (ELC) Concentrate
136707
55 gallons
235121138
6 gallons
Detroit
Power Cool®
Diesel
235121139 55 gallons
*
Shell
Rotella® Extended-Life Coolant (ELC) Concentrate
94041

Color

Use

Strawberry-red

Orange

Freeze Point
Adjustment

Strawberry-red

* Specify quantity when ordering.

Table 3, Compatible Extended-Life Coolant Concentrates

Visual Inspecting
WARNING
Do not remove or loosen the radiator cap until the engine and cooling system have completely cooled.
Use extreme care when removing the cap. A sudden release of pressure from removing the cap prior to
the system cooling can result in a surge of scalding coolant that could cause serious personal injury.
To check visually for contaminants, drain a coolant sample from the reservoir into a clear container. Check the
color and clarity against a known good sample or use the color reference card, Form Number TSS408, enclosed with this service bulletin. If the sample is not clear and bright, drain and flush the coolant. Test the
sample with a universal heavy-duty coolant test strip (see Table 4), to ensure the system has not been contaminated or diluted. Contamination can be caused by system failure, but more often it is from topping off with a
non-approved coolant, a conventional coolant (usually a different color), or tap water. If contamination is suspected, a field contamination kit is also available. See Table 4 for kit information.
Coolant Testing Products
Product Name
Universal Coolant Test Strip
Refractometer (Fahrenheit)
Refractometer (Celsius)
Field Contamination Kit

Supplier
Penray
Penray
Penray
Texaco

Part Number
TS200
CTX2
CTX1
2868

Table 4, Coolant Testing Products

Adding Extenders
At 300,000 miles (483 000 km) or 6000 engine operating hours, add an extender to the coolant. This will give
corrosion protection for an additional 300,000 miles (483 000 km) or 6000 engine operating hours. See Table 5
for approved extenders.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Service Bulletin, December 2008

Page 3

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Use and Maintenance Guidelines for Extended-Life (OAT
and NOAT) Coolants

Freightliner Custom Chassis
Service Bulletin

Compatible Extended-Life
Part
Supplier
Product Name
Number
Penray
Extended Life Coolant Extender
900032
Texaco
Texaco Extended-Life Extender
7999
1195151
Caterpillar
Caterpillar ELC Extender
1195152
Detroit Diesel Power Cool Plus Extender
23519400
Shell
Rotella ELC Extender
94043

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Coolant Extenders
Qty.

Use

1 quart
*

1 pint Extends Coolant Life to 600,000 miles (965 000
km) or 12,000 off-road hours
1 quart
*
*

* Specify when ordering.

Table 5, Compatible Extended-Life Coolant Extenders

Warranty
This is an informational bulletin only; warranty does not apply.

Page 4

Freightliner Custom Chassis Service Bulletin, December 2008