Cool-Trak 311519 Coolant Testing Strips - Set of 50

Great and easy to use. My only concern is how they might measure up against the system our dealer uses. Don't know?? All said though, I had the same conclusion as the dealer. So it's a win at this point. Good luck.

I bought this mainly for determining the concentration of glycol after conducting a fluid change. I have 2 of the ball-type indicators and found them both unreliable and difficult to use. This product seemed to provide accurate feedback of my Peak Global (green) glycol concentration. Given the price point when compared with competing products I would say this is a good deal for home use.

I had an opportunity to test these strips against a pro-grade refractometer. I had an HVAC tech over the other day to help me raise the polyethelene glycol concentration in my radiant heat system (it had become slightly diluted after 10+ years). Over the course of an hour we compared readings about 7 times as we brought up the concentration. Since he had the more accurate device, I'd call out my reading first and then he'd share his. I was within 2-3% of his concentration readings each time ... and I had a ph reading as well. Now to be fair, I got better over the series of trials because I could calibrate my readings off of his. But even so, you should be confident that you can be within 5% in a concentration estimate without the benefit of a refractometer (as long as you are not color blind). But I did notice that the bottle has an expiration date ... as it should, since the chems on each strip won't last forever. I think the exp date gives you about three years, and with 50 strips, you'd need to test a lot of glycol to go through a bottle in that time. So buy a bottle and share it with a friend, and keep your eyes on that expiration date !

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It tests freeze protection and acid level. Oh, wait--it DOESN'T test acid level of "orange" (extended-life) coolant. Gee, it'd be nice if a person knew about that BEFORE purchse, since this product isn't going to be fully compatible with newer vehicles; or older vehicles that have been converted to extended-life coolant. They put that disclaimer on the bottle, but not in the online descriptions. Works fine when used with the common, ordinary green Ethylene Glycol coolant. There's NO mention of it's suitability when used with Propylene Glycol.

I rarely leave reviews, but this product’s quality and simplicity motivated me to do so. It made testing the propylene glycol coolant in my construction equipment enjoyable. I’ll confidently use these with my $100k fleet.

While the freeze & boiling point measurements of this product is very helpful, the pH range of the strips don't help much, if at all. It gives results for pH levels of 6, 7, 7.5, 8 and then jumps all the way up to 11. The range between 8 & 11 is the most critical, as this is where the pH level should be on most engines. I used the strips to test the coolant on my RV's auxiliary generator. My coolant pH level should be between 8.5 & 9.5. But since the strips jump from 8 to 11, there's no way for me to tell if I'm at the correct pH level. The lower levels of 6 through 8 are measured at close intervals which is useless, as the coolant should be changed in almost any engine if it falls below 8. The makers of this product should have made the measurements more precise ABOVE 8, not below it.

I change my coolant religiously at the 30k mile or the 2-year mark (whichever comes first as recommended) for my 1995 Nissan Pathfinder. It had been 2 years and I took my truck in for my mechanic's inspection for the coolant change. He told me the coolant was in real good shape and no need to flush it just yet. Me being me, I was just curious and wanted to test it a bit more for my own eyes. These strips told me exactly what my mechanic did. And, as advertised by the product, in only 30 seconds. Extremely easy to do, 'even a cave man can do it.' I'll be using them again and again and with a set count of 50 it should hold me for a while. Seems to be an accurate and very fair priced product.

The strips do as they advertise. They're nice to have around if you're just curious about the condition of your coolant or you are mixing some up (using the full strength and mixing it with water) to determine the correct mixture.

They work