What is Dex coolant? 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 the difference between Dex cool and regular antifreeze? The main way to tell the difference between Dex-Cool and regular antifreeze is that Dex-Cool is typically orange, whereas antifreeze is usually green. The idea was simple really Dex-Cool lasts longer than traditional antifreeze.

Can I put regular antifreeze instead of Dex cool? Do not mix Dex-Cool with regular anti-freeze! Dex-Cool is a specially formulated GM coolant which will not mix with traditional coolants, and was used in various GM applications up through the 2004 model year. The green and orange coolants do not mix.

What can I substitute for Dex Cool antifreeze? I recommend Yellow. Prestone extended life. Either 50/50 or cut it yourself with distilled. It is GM certified as a DEX Cool replacement and can be mixed with Dex Cool (don’t mix it outright, drain it, just that what does not drain out it’s ok when it intermixes).

What is Dex coolant? – Related Questions

Can I use water instead of Dex cool?

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.

What happens if you use the wrong color antifreeze?

Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages; this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator. Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket.

Is Dexcool still used?

Dex-Cool is now used in almost 40 million vehicles sold by GM since 1996. On its website, GM claims Dex-Cool will last 5 years or 150,000 miles but a steady stream of consumers insist the product is defective and has damaged their vehicles.

What coolant does Chevy use?

Dex-Cool is the antifreeze recommended by General Motors, the company that makes Chevys, as the best antifreeze for their automobiles. It is an orange color, to truly differentiate it, and is an extended-life coolant, known to work up to 100,000 miles.

Is Dex-Cool toxic to pets?

Conventional antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is very poisonous to people and animals. Many animals like the sweet taste of antifreeze and will readily consume it when given the opportunity. However, antifreeze, even in the smallest amounts, can have a very harmful and often fatal effect on your pet.

Is green antifreeze better than Dexcool?

Dex-Cool uses a combination of organic acids as its corrosion inhibitors (OAT – Organic Acid Technology). GM believes that it provides better corrosion protection than regular green coolant for cooling system composed of different metals (primarily iron, aluminum, and brass), and provides a longer 5-year service life.

What color is Dex-Cool antifreeze?

The Colors of Coolant

What color is Dex-Cool®?” It’s true, coolant liquid comes in different colors, most commonly green (orange for Dex-Cool®). Each color is a unique formula that should not be mixed.

Is all orange coolant DexCool?

You should know that the term “orange coolant” has come to mean a DexCool-approved brand but that doesn’t mean it’s really true. All DexCool-approved coolants to date use two organic acid rust/corrosion inhibitors, one called sebacate, the other called 2-EHA (which stands for 2-ethylhexanoic acid).

Can you mix Prestone antifreeze with DexCool?

The new Prestone bright yellow coolant is compatible with any coolant used by any car brand or manufacturer. It says so right on the label. I have 2 gallons of the stuff, mixed 50/50 with distilled water. 2 quarts of it mixed with 2 quarts of DEX-COOL results in a lighter “orange”, clear coolant.

Can I mix coolant brands?

Yes. Prestone’s Coolant/Antifreeze is guaranteed to be compatible with all cars, vans or light trucks. Thanks to its unique and patented formula, Prestone Coolant/Antifreeze remains the only coolant on the market that can be mixed with another product within the cooling system without causing damage.

Can I mix pink and blue coolant?

Part of this also includes making sure that you have enough antifreeze in your car. The last thing you want is for your engine to overheat. These days you can actually get yellow antifreeze, blue antifreeze, pink antifreeze and more. The fact is, mixing these liquids is not safe.

What happens if I don’t put the right coolant in my car?

Using the wrong coolant or mixing different types together can hinder the car’s performance. It may also increase corrosion in the radiator. Using the wrong coolant can lead to corrosion and other damages to the radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, cylinder gasket, and more.

Can I use green antifreeze instead of orange?

Can I Mix Different Engine Coolant Types? The short answer – no. When orange and green antifreeze mix, there’s likely to be a chemical reaction that causes it to thicken into a gel-like substance. Since your engine needs fluid rather than gel, it’s unable to effectively cycle it through the system.

How long can you run an engine without coolant?

However, if you absolutely must start your car without coolant, it can probably run for about a minute without too much risk of damage. You may be able to get away with as much as 5 minutes of running without coolant, depending on the engine, car model, and how hard you’re asking the engine to work.

Can I use Dexcool in my Toyota?

NO IT’S NOT! Toyota Red doesn’t contain silicon or silcates, whereas regular green does. Don’t use Dexcool, or if you do, flush it like it was normal antifreeze, as it will get muddy after extended use.

Is Dexcool red?

To differentiate DEX-COOL coolant from regular coolants, the manufacturers often produce the coolant in a different color. Regular coolant is often green while DEX-COOL is orange or red. Due to the orange color of DEX-COOL, it is harder to visually tell when the coolant must be replaced.

What year did Chevy start using Dexcool?

Back in 1995, GM began to use “Dex-Cool” coolant in its vehicles; in fact, you may very well be driving a vehicle that uses Dex-Cool.

Can I mix pink and green coolant?

You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever. But if you mix a significant amount of one type in with the other type, you’re weakening your corrosion inhibitors (it happened to my brother, and look at the condition he’s in now).

Is peak coolant Dexcool?

Peak Dexcool Concentrate Orange Antifreeze is made for use in GM cars and trucks requiring a Dex-Cool antifreeze. It is an orange colored ethylene glycol based antifreeze compatible for use in all automobiles, light duty trucks and motorcycles.

Do animals still drink antifreeze?

Clean up any spills of antifreeze on driveways and other hard surfaces. Dogs and cats find antifreeze quite tasty and if they find antifreeze they’ll drink it. Antifreeze is extremely toxic causing kidney failure that is often fatal in just a few days. Very small amounts of antifreeze can be fatal.

What color antifreeze does GM use?

Dex-Cool. Dex-Cool is the antifreeze recommended by General Motors, the company that makes Chevys, as the best antifreeze for their automobiles. It is an orange color, to truly differentiate it, and is an extended-life coolant, known to work up to 100,000 miles.