Radiator coolant part of OEM requirements

Repairers are reminded they need to look carefully at using non-genuine parts during the repair process. One component is radiator coolant.

According to the NSW Motor Traders Association, some insurance companies have told repairers to use non-genuine coolant, with one company paying $20.

It costs $70 for the radiator coolant in a Honda, and repairers risk a $10,000 engine if they use the wrong coolant.
Manufacturers state that genuine coolant must be used or the warranty could be voided.

The MTA points to the Code of Conduct which states a vehicle must be repaired to manufacturer’s specifications.

“Repairers be warned: if you don’t exercise duty of care and serious damage is caused to an engine, the responsibility will lie with you,” the MTA report said.

MTA senior manager divisional services, Greg Preston, said that under Sections 1 and 4 of the Code, insurers also have a duty to ensure compliance to manufacturer’s specifications.

He said any panel shop owners having issues with returning a vehicle to manufacturers specifications because of requests by insurers should utilise the internal dispute resolution (IDR) aspects of the code and lodge an  IDR form.
Information about the Code is available at www.abrcode.com.