Dear Mike,
I recently heard about Dex-Cool coolant and was wondering what makes it different from regular coolant. I’ve always used regular coolant in my car, but now I’m curious to know if Dex-Cool could be a better option. Can you explain the advantages and disadvantages of using Dex-Cool compared to regular coolant? Which one should I use for my car?
Thanks,
Avery
Hey Avery,
Thanks for reaching out with your question about antifreeze! This is a common question that many car owners have, and it’s always good to make sure you’re using the right coolant for your vehicle, especially before winter hits.
To answer your main question, yes, Chevy and GM vehicles use a particular type of coolant called Dex-Cool. Despite not being called antifreeze, it still does the job of keeping your engine from freezing over during those cold winter months.
Now, what sets Dex-Cool apart from regular antifreeze? Well, the main advantage of Dex-Cool is that it lasts longer than traditional antifreeze, with most owner’s manuals putting the change interval at 5 years or 100,000 miles or even longer. That’s pretty impressive, right?
But, can you mix other coolants with Dex-Cool? Technically, you can mix coolant types, but as I always say, “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Dex-Cool and traditional antifreeze don’t mix well, and after extended use, they can even create a gel that can damage multiple components of your cooling system. So, my recommendation would be to stick with using Dex-Cool for your Chevy or GM vehicle.
Now, let’s address something important. Why is your coolant low? This question may require a mechanic to answer because it could be something as simple as a leak, but it could also be the first symptom of a much more major problem. If your coolant level seems to drop over the course of a week or even a month, it’s definitely a good idea to take it to your trusted mechanic for a check-up.
So, Avery, to sum it up – if you’re driving a Chevy or GM vehicle, go for Dex-Cool. It’s perfect for these models and lasts a long time. And, if your coolant level seems to be dropping quickly, take it to a mechanic to get it checked out.
Hope this helps, and happy driving!
Best,
Mike Urban