Coolant Recommendation

[modain]

OK, I'm gonna replace my radiator this weekend. And in doing so I'll need to refill my cooling system with water/antifreeze. The dealer (I have only checked with one so far) price is $18/gallon. I'm not sure I want to buy two (or more) gallons at that price if I have options.

I have checked and see that Prestone sells a couple of products, both ethylene glycol based: Dex-Cool and Extended Life. I seem to remember reading that Dex-Cool is a no-no for DCX autos. Is the Extended Life OK to use? It says it is compatible, etc. with all other coolants. It's ethylene glycol, just as my truck requires.

Is there some special voodoo in the dealer's coolant that I must have, or am I OK by saving half the $$$ by using the Prestone stuff?

[WentInsane]

OK, I'm gonna replace my radiator this weekend. And in doing so I'll need to refill my cooling system with water/antifreeze. The dealer (I have only checked with one so far) price is $18/gallon. I'm not sure I want to buy two (or more) gallons at that price if I have options.

I have checked and see that Prestone sells a couple of products, both ethylene glycol based: Dex-Cool and Extended Life. I seem to remember reading that Dex-Cool is a no-no for DCX autos. Is the Extended Life OK to use? It says it is compatible, etc. with all other coolants. It's ethylene glycol, just as my truck requires.

Is there some special voodoo in the dealer's coolant that I must have, or am I OK by saving half the $$$ by using the Prestone stuff?
Extended life should work just fine. Dealers try and get you to buy their product to rip you off.

[JasonW]

I would get the extended life, it is a 5-year coolant (like GM's Dex-Cool), rather than a 3-year coolant (typical green stuff).

[Unorthodoxneon]

Ok here is my suggestion. Unless you buy the 50/50 mix i would say go out to the local grocery store and buy distilled water. That way you dont have the chemicals and other added stuff that tap water has.

[modain]

Yeah, I did that. I bought Prestone at Wallyworld for $8.44 a gallon. The premixed stuff was $6.84 a gallon. Not worth it at that less-than-favorable price. I went a few aisles over and grabbed some distilled water for $.66 a gallon. I can mix it myself and save some $$$. :drive:

[Unorthodoxneon]

Yeah, I did that. I bought Prestone at Wallyworld for $8.44 a gallon. The premixed stuff was $6.84 a gallon. Not worth it at that less-than-favorable price. I went a few aisles over and grabbed some distilled water for $.66 a gallon. I can mix it myself and save some $$$. :drive:

Nice, Yea i dont use tap water anymore in all my vehicles. I've seen before someone that has ran water in there car from the tap and when they replaced the engine and water pump there looked like alot of build up of stuff around there and talked to a couple mechanics and said that the tap water will cause this. :nono:

[nordy1865]

Mercedes coolant is the best out there but pricey. I use it in my RX-7 since it is a bi-metallic motor. My Dakota I use Prestone.

[dakotapimpc]

before you do anything wile u have the chance go to lke advance auto and get whats called somthine then chills like ice water u add it after you have flushed ur system and it lowers your temps up to 40 degreeseit really works

[Nemesis]

i just use the gm dex-cool
a gm dex-cool car must have dex-cool antifreeze, others can use the regular green junk or the better dex-cool antifreeze like our trucks.

[modain]

That's interesting. You are the first person who has offered this opinion - not even any of the DC techs who lurk here.

When I do a flush I'll Dex-Cool it. Thanks.

[Nemesis]

me and my uncle use it in our bikes and 4-wheelers and stuff. so its not like its a GM only thing. It just a better cooler system with better antifreeze that gm has been useing for years now.