[sk_malibu]

I have a 2008 Malibu V6, and I have red engine coolant. Is that Dexcool? If so, can I mix orange and red DexCool? I have found orange Dexcool at the autoparts stores, but not red.

Thanks.

 

[Macleod52]

As far as I know GM is still using Dexcool. Why do you need coolant?

 

[Malibu Glow]

Unless the coolant jug says that it is COMPATIBLE with GM's Dex-Cool don't use it. GM still uses Dex-Cool Mac, can't see them switching back since this stuff was developed for GM.

 

[Macleod52]

I figured as much, but since I didn't know for sure, I didn't want to say yes.

Anyway, no matter how many people claim that Dex-Cool is the devil, it's really not. Change it every 5 years or 50k and you'll be fine. After the first change though, I think you're supposed to change it more frequently, but still, stick with the OEM stuff.

 

[Malibu Glow]

As long as you make sure that it is a 50/50 mix of Dex-Cool and water, anything above or below will cause problems.

 

[Silver LTZ]

Why do you need it though? If it's low you have some other problem.

 

[Gibbles]

I had lots of issues with dex in my blazer, just watch the stuff, if it starts turning very dark or an odd film in your over flow tank flush it.

I was flushing it so often in my blazer I decided I was better off with green...

My wifes Aura will continue with dex until I see a reason to change it out, and with the 5/100 I think I need to keep it dex.

 

[BillD64]

DexCool doesn't cause any problems. GM recommends changing it every 5 years or 150K miles. I have had DexCool in GM cars for 12 years now and haven't had any problems. Each of the cars I had went at least 5 years on its original coolant fill. My wife's 99 Saturn is on its third fill of DexCool (once every 5 years). My daughter's 02 Olds Intrigue went 7 years. I didn't know she hadn't changed it until she had a leak in the plastic reservoir. The reservoir had a lot of deposits in it but I threw a new one on and refilled with new Dex and the car is running fine.

To keep your DexCool pure make sure nobody adds any silicated coolants to the system. Otherwise your change interval reduces to 2 years and 24K miles.

Bill

 

[Sandhopper]

Make sure you used distilled water... You don't want any additonal deposits from your tap water.