![]() So there's no excuse for spending $7.99/gallon on Dex-Cool and then ruining it because you're too lazy to add 59¢ a gallon distilled water to it.įor further information on this antifreeze/coolant, I certainly encourage visiting the listed sources below.Mixing conventional green coolant with DEX-COOL(R) will degrade the service interval from 5 yrs./150,000 miles (240,000 km) to 2 yrs./30,000 miles Distilled water barely costs 59¢ a gallon in my area. By just using regular tap water you contaminate the new Dex-Cool and drastically lower the corrosion protection. Elimination of these additives is significant because many of them are abrasive to water-pump seals.Īnother way to ensure longer life of parts and get better corrosion protection is to make sure you USE DISTILLED WATER when mixing with antifreeze. Dex-Cool's extended service intervals are made possible from its patented organic acid corrosion inhibitor system that eliminates the need for silicates, phosphates, borates, nitrites, and amines. There is a GM Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) on this matter. But if you already have a multimeter, why go buy test strips? The multimeter is the more technically accurate method anyway.Īs for sludging and early parts failure, it is imperative that you keep the antifreeze topped off or the low fluid level will cause sludging. You can also use test strips (available at a quality auto parts store for $5 or less), they work on both green and red types too. ![]() 0.7 V or greater - antifreeze is unacceptable.0.5 V to 0.7 V - antifreeze is borderline.0.2 V to 0.5 V - antifreeze is still good.Your readings (regardless of negative symbol on readout) should be: Always be careful when opening the radiator cap on a warm engine). Make sure the coolant is warm but not HOT (this is for SAFETY reasons as well as accuracy of your readings. You then place the positive probe in the neck of your radiator, making sure that the positive probe touches nothing but the antifreeze. You put your negative probe to the negative post on your battery. ![]() One interesting spec I found is to use a multimeter. Green will keep you protected thermally just as well as red.Īs for deciding when to change your antifreeze, don't go by miles or you WILL certainly have seal and mechanical failures. If you choose to continue using green, just check the alkalinity more often. If you started off with green, GM recommends switching to Dex-Cool in their technical service bulletins. OEM style additives designed for use with the green antifreeze (propylene glycol) may reduce the durability of Dex-Cool. These additives may cause gumming of the antifreeze. They originated in Euro/Asian markets and are not compatible with Dex-Cool. Also make sure to stay away from 'organic based' rust inhibitor additives. If your vehicle came with the inferior green stuff (propylene glycol), you must do a complete and thorough flush before switching to Dex-Cool. Concentrations greater than 67 percent or less than 50 percent are not recommended. For maximum protection against freezing in extremely cold areas a 60 percent solution (3 parts anti-freeze/2 parts water) can be used.
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