Honda Blue Type 2 flush:$100 to $170PHOAT blue, Honda / Acura / Subaru, 2026
Honda Blue Type 2 is the pre-diluted blue PHOAT coolant Honda has installed at the factory in nearly every model since 2007. Subaru's factory coolant is chemically equivalent, and the universal Asian Vehicle Blue products from the aftermarket cover both makes.
Indy shop
$100 - $150
Asian Vehicle Blue coolant
Chain
$99 - $139
If PHOAT in stock
Honda dealer
$160 - $230
Genuine Honda Type 2
Spec card
Honda Type 2 / PHOAT blueVehicle coverage
Which vehicles run Honda Type 2 (or equivalent)
Honda sedans
Civic, Accord, Insight, Clarity
Honda SUVs
CR-V, HR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline
Honda minivans
Odyssey
Acura
Integra, TLX, RDX, MDX. Same Honda Type 2 chemistry across the lineup.
Subaru (equivalent)
Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, Ascent. Subaru Super Coolant Blue is chemistry-equivalent.
Honda hybrids
Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, Insight, Clarity. Use Type 2 for engine coolant. Some hybrids have a separate inverter coolant circuit.
The Honda way
Why Honda uses blue and not yellow or orange
Honda Type 2 sits in a chemistry niche that is poorly represented in US-market coolants. The phosphate package matters for Honda's small-displacement aluminum-block engines (the 1.5L turbo in the current Civic, the 1.8L K-series in older Civics, the 2.0L K-series in CR-V and Accord) where corrosion protection of the aluminum is the primary design constraint.
European HOAT formulations (yellow G05) are also silicate-low but use a different inhibitor mix that does not include the phosphates Honda specifies. US OAT formulations like Dex-Cool are silicate-free but rely on a different organic acid balance. Neither matches Honda's engineering target. The Type 2 PHOAT was developed for this specific application and has been refined over multiple generations.
The practical consequence for owners is that finding the right coolant is harder than for a GM or Ford vehicle. Most quick-lube chains stock the universal yellow HOAT and the universal orange OAT but may not have the Asian Vehicle Blue PHOAT. Always ask. If the chain says they will use universal yellow on a Honda, that is wrong. Drive away and use a different shop.
The aftermarket equivalents (Zerex, Prestone, Peak) are formulated to Honda's spec and carry the necessary phosphate package. They are safe to use as the dealer alternative. The Honda Genuine product is the safest documented choice for vehicles under powertrain warranty.
Honda Blue purchasing rules
- Verify the bottle label specifically lists Honda Type 2 (or Subaru if applicable).
- Pre-diluted 50/50 is the safest choice. Concentrate requires distilled water mixed at exactly 50/50.
- Never use distilled water alone, even temporarily; the inhibitor package is part of the cooling system, not a fluid additive.
- Avoid plain blue universal coolants without Asian Vehicle / Honda Type 2 labeling.
- Honda dealers will sometimes sell smaller 1-quart bottles for top-off use, but the gallon size is more economical for a full service.
Common questions
Honda Blue Type 2 flush FAQ
How much does a Honda Blue Type 2 flush cost in 2026?
+
A Honda Blue Type 2 coolant flush costs $100 to $170 at most independent shops in 2026. Quick-lube chains can do it for $99 to $139 if they stock Asian Vehicle Blue (Zerex or equivalent). A Honda or Acura dealer charges $160 to $230 with the genuine Honda Type 2.
What is Honda Type 2 coolant?
+
Honda Type 2 is the blue PHOAT (Phosphate-Organic Acid Technology) coolant Honda has used as the factory fill in nearly every model since 2007. It is pre-diluted (50/50) and silicate-free, with a phosphate inhibitor package optimized for Honda's aluminum-block engines. Acura uses the same Honda Type 2 across most of its lineup.
What is the Honda coolant service interval?
+
Honda specifies the first flush at 120,000 miles or 10 years for vehicles that left the factory with Type 2 (most 2010 and newer). Subsequent flushes are at 60,000 miles or 5 years. Older Honda vehicles built before 2007 used a different coolant with shorter intervals; check the specific owner's manual for your model year.
Does Subaru use the same coolant as Honda?
+
Subaru's factory-fill coolant is also a blue PHOAT formulation, similar in chemistry to Honda Type 2. Subaru Super Coolant (the dealer product) and Honda Type 2 share the same basic spec and are widely considered cross-compatible. The universal Asian Vehicle Blue products from Zerex, Prestone, and Peak meet both specifications and are sold for both makes.
Can I use universal blue coolant in a Honda?
+
Only if the product specifically lists Honda Type 2 compatibility. Verified compatible products include Zerex Asian Vehicle Blue, Prestone Asian Vehicles Blue, and Peak Asian Vehicle Blue. Avoid generic blue coolants that do not list the Honda or Subaru OEM spec, since they may be IAT or HOAT chemistries dyed blue.
Can Honda Type 2 be mixed with Toyota Pink?
+
No. Despite both being PHOAT chemistries, Honda Type 2 and Toyota Pink SLLC have different phosphate and organic acid formulations tuned to each manufacturer's engines. They are not cross-compatible. Use the right product for each vehicle. If the two have been mixed, a full machine flush is the right fix.
Is the Honda Genuine Coolant worth the dealer markup?
+
For a vehicle still under powertrain warranty, yes. Honda Genuine Type 2 from the dealer at $22 to $30 per gallon is the safest documented choice for any warranty claim. For a vehicle out of warranty, a verified-compatible universal Asian Vehicle Blue at $14 to $20 per gallon provides the same protection at a meaningful saving.