Can you mix DEX COOL and Prestone?
Technically, you can mix coolant types, but before you go ahead and do it, let’s cover some things. Firstly, Dex-Cool and traditional anti-freeze don’t mix well. Currently, many coolant producers make solutions that aren’t Dex-Cool but are safe to mix with Dex-Cool. When to use Prestone DEX-COOL coolant concentrate?
Should Dexcool be mixed with water?
On GM's own consumer site, the debate regarding its Dexcool antifreeze continues. And in mixing any antifreeze with water for a 50/50 mix, the use of distilled water is highly recommended. I mix it with distilled water and some water wetter from Redline.
Is Dexcool really required?
Dexcool is actually a good coolant but needs to be flushed reguarly. If you read the owners manual it recomends replacement as early as 2 years 30k miles depending on driving conditions. Dexcool was not the culprit in all of the intake gasket failures had, it was due to the poor gasket design. Thats why the intake sets were redesigned.
What is DEX-COOL compatible?
Carquest Dex -Cool Compatible Antifreeze/Coolant is an orange-colored, ethylene-glycol based, antifreeze that may be used in all General Motors vehicles requiring DEX-COOL antifreeze and coolant, as well as other cars and light-duty trucks with aluminum radiators.
What happens if you mix Dex-cool with green antifreeze?
The green and orange coolants do not mix. When mixed together they form a gel-like substance that stops coolant flow, and consequently, the engine overheats.
What antifreeze is compatible with Dexcool?
Prestone® Prime® DEXCOOL® Compatible Orange Antifreeze + Coolant - Prestone® Total Protection.
Can you mix orange antifreeze with yellow antifreeze?
You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever.
Does Dexcool damage your engine?
The troubles blamed on Dex-Cool range from leaking coolant to blown engines, and often include failed intake manifold gaskets, pieces that rest between the engine block and the air intake to prevent coolant and oil from leaking.
What color antifreeze is Dexcool?
orangeA: Prestone Dex-Cool Antifreeze+Coolant is an orange fluid color.
Does orange Dexcool turn pink?
Dex cool turns pink when you mix it with distilled water. Pink factory Dex Cool is the same exact thing as orange dex cool concentrate.
What color antifreeze can you not mix?
Can You Mix Orange and Green Antifreeze? It's never a good idea to mix two different colors or types of antifreeze. Mixing two formulas won't cause any dangerous reactions or explosions, but it could turn your coolant into a sludgy chemical mixture that won't be able to flow properly through your cooling system.
What is orange antifreeze called?
The easiest way to tell the difference between Dex-Cool and regular antifreeze is that Dex-Cool is usually orange/red, and regular antifreeze is green/blue. Dex-Cool is made up of combinations of different phosphates and silicates as well as an organic acid technology that helps minimize corrosion in aluminum engines.
Does the color of antifreeze matter?
Dye is used to color the antifreeze for identification and marketing purposes only. So if you were used to the tried-and-true green coolant and just opened a jug full of orange fluid, don't be alarmed. Time was when coolants were one color: green. Then came extended-life antifreeze.
What is the advantage of Dexcool?
ACDelco DEX-COOL® is an ethylene glycol based fluid that provides maintenance-free protection against freezing and boiling but also against corrosion. Extended coolant life, often for the whole life of the engine or vehicle, is obtained through the use of virtually non-depleting corrosion inhibitors.
What is compatible with Dex-cool?
Designed to work with all GM ® vehicles 1995 & newer (GM ®-approved), most Ford ® vehicles 2011-2018 and most Chrysler ® vehicles 2013 & newer. Manages engine temperature, prevents freezing and protects the engine from corrosion.
How long does Dex-cool last?
Do I have to change my vehicle's antifreeze? Yes. Your owner's manual or service guide will provide more information regarding vehicle-specific maintenance intervals. The maximum change interval for ACDelco GM OE Dex-Cool is 5 years, or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Can you use Prestone antifreeze to GM vehicles?
Designed to work with all GM ® vehicles 1995 & newer (GM ®-approved), most Ford ® vehicles 2011-2018 and most Chrysler ® vehicles 2013 & newer.
Is zerex compatible with Dexcool?
Valvoline Zerex DEX-COOL® Concentrate has a service life of up to 5 years / 250.000 km of service. This high-grade antifreeze coolant is compatible with major long-life and conventional brands of ethylene glycol-based coolant and can be mixed with any ZEREX DEX-COOL® product.
Is Dexcool and Ford orange coolant the same?
No, the two coolants are different. The new Ford coolant is OAT and is not compatible with DEXCOOL. You cannot go by the color of coolant anymore an have to use only the one that meets the specifications of your vehicle.
What Exactly Is Dexcool Coolant?
During the 1990s, GM presented a motor coolant called Dexcool. It should last 5 years or 150,000 miles, yet there have been issues with this coolant. The cooling framework is specially designed to work against corrosion when the coolant level gets low and oxygen is allowed to enter the framework.
Why does antifreeze go bad?
Change the antifreeze on the off chance that it smells consumed. Additionally, change the inside regulator. It’s gone bad since if the car is overheating. Overheating harms the bi-metallic spring that opens and shuts the indoor regulator valve.
Can I Use Universal Coolant Instead Of Dexcool?
Yes. But make sure when you take your vehicle to a shop, have the universal antifreeze depleted completely on the off chance that you have blended in different coolants. Non-DexCool coolants will cause Dexcool to gel and become muck, which will prompt an assortment of motor issues.
What Happens If You Don’t Flush Coolant?
A corroded shading demonstrates that the rust inhibitor in the coolant has separated and it can no longer control rust and scale development. Cleaned and flush the radiator with a crisp 50/50 blend of coolant to maintain proper operation.
What is engine coolant?
What is engine coolant? Coolant (once in a while alluded to as liquid catalyst or radiator liquid) is utilized to manage your motor temperature and keep it from overheating. Is simply mixing Dexcool and universal antifreeze together safe?
What is universal coolant?
Universal coolant is a chemical that is commonly used in vehicles to keep the engine at an optimal temperature. It’s often combined with Dexcool Antifreeze, which helps protect your car from rusting and corrosion. If you are unsure about what type of chemicals work best for your vehicle, consult with your mechanic or call up a local auto parts store to see if they can help you out.!
Can you mix Dexcool with a 1998 engine?
Most cars made before 1998 may run cooler with Dexcool coolant, while those manufactured after 1998 only use the universal stuff. If you mix both types of chemicals together and put them in your old car with a pre-1998 engine, it might cause damage to the radiator (the radiator is also not designed for such a mixture).
What Happens if You Mix Different Types of Anti-Freeze?
Since there are so many different anti-freeze types, the exact results of mixing anti-freeze will vary depending on what anti-freezes you mix – but the short answer is that you should never mix different types of anti-freeze.
How often should I flush my Dexcool?
GM manufactured Dexcool and promised that you’d only need to flush your system every 150,000-miles if you used it. This is a much longer service life than regular anti-freeze, so you can see why its popularity surged. The only problem is that Dexcool didn’t always work as advertised.
How often should I flush out coolant?
Green anti-freeze doesn’t last as long as orange coolant, but you should double-check your vehicle’s recommended service intervals before heading to flush out the coolant every few thousand miles.
What to do if you have never flushed coolant?
If you’ve never flushed the coolant on your vehicle, you can check the owner’s manual , if you have changed the coolant, you might be out of luck. If you don’t know, go ahead and flush the entire system before potentially mixing the wrong type of coolant.
How much antifreeze should I use for a snowstorm?
Adding water actually lowers the freezing point and glycol – to a point. The ideal anti-freeze to water ratio is 60 percent anti-freeze and 40 percent water .
What color is antifreeze?
While there are tons of different anti-freeze varieties out there, the two main types used for your vehicle are a traditional green anti-freeze and an orange anti-freeze that uses Dexcool. But while the color can be a great starting point to figure out what kind of coolant you have, sometimes the color can be misleading.
What is the ratio of antifreeze to water?
The ideal anti-freeze to water ratio is 60 percent anti-freeze and 40 percent water. But if you’re in a pinch, add water – not a different kind of anti-freeze. Not only will you avoid problems, but you’ll have no problem getting where you’re going either.
What exactly happens when these coolants are mixed?
The coolants chemically react and form a gel rather than a liquid. The coolant stops flowing through the system, clogs up coolant passageways and water jackets, radiators, and heater cores. The water pump overheats and fails due to a lack of lubricant in the coolant. Head gaskets blow, heads warp, and the engine suffers major damage.
How many miles does it take to flush Dexcool?
GM suggests flushing Dexcool for the first time at 150,000 miles.
What does it mean when your coolant is rusty?
A rusty color indicates that the rust inhibitor in the coolant has broken down and it can no longer control rust and scale buildup.
What does it mean when coolant feels slippery?
The engine coolant should feel slippery to the touch and smooth (like the engine oil). If it feels gritty , the coolant is dirty and should be flushed and replaced with a fresh 50/50 mix. If the coolant does not feel slippery then it has lost its lubricity (the lubricating and rust inhibiting agents have deteriorated) and the system is at risk for rust and scale buildup, as well as water pump wear.
What is the purpose of coolant?
Coolant (sometimes referred to as antifreeze or radiator fluid) is used to regulate your engine temperature and prevent it from overheating.
Can you mix Dexcool antifreeze with water?
On GM's own consumer site, the debate regarding its Dexcool antifreeze continues. And in mixing any antifreeze with water for a 50/50 mix, the use of distilled water is highly recommended.
Does rust build up in a cooling system?
The acid eats away at head gaskets and intake gaskets. Rust builds up in the system, inhibiting coolant flow, which causes overheating. Overall, numerous cooling system problems have been attributed to the use of this controversial product, although GM firmly stands behind it.
