Adding Dex-Cool

[burgundyz71]

I got the low coolant message and it's down a bit so I need to add obviously, what kind of coolant will mix with the stuff that came in it? Do I need to get it from the dealer or can I go to Autozone? Or is all the pink stuff dex-cool and any pink will work?

[Mr. Smith]

I got the low coolant message and it's down a bit so I need to add obviously, what kind of coolant will mix with the stuff that came in it? Do I need to get it from the dealer or can I go to Autozone? Or is all the pink stuff dex-cool and any pink will work?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I use the Havoline brand you get at Wal-mart.

[burgundyz71]

I'm guessing it will mix with the factory crap with no troubles.

[Mr. Smith]

I'm guessing it will mix with the factory crap with no troubles.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Well if you think it is crap then why use it?

 

Says GM compatible on the jug.

[az'03Silverado]

I'm guessing it will mix with the factory crap with no troubles.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

This isn't going to turn this into another 'Dex-Cool Sucks' thread, is it?

[burgundyz71]

I really have no opinion about Dex-Cool, just used the word crap instead of antifreeze.

[az'03Silverado]

Gotcha.

[C & A s Dad]

Use any name brand that is Dex Cool approved. There are several Universal AFs out there now but I refuse to accept the "universal stuff". Why use a universal procuct when you know what is in the truck and it is readily avail?

[c4cruiser]

Texaco Havoline Dex-Cool is supposed to be the same coolant as what GM installs on the assembly lines. You should be able to find it at just about any parts store, Costco or Wal-Mart. Especially is there is only a buck or two per gallon difference.

 

I don't think I would go with the so-called 'universal' coolants either.

[99xjsport06]

I've been using the Prestone Dex-Cool approved stuff. No complaints from me.

[ken1mod]

Dex cool works great for me, I second the belief that Havoline is the factory fill.

 

Ken

[CapitalTruck]

Document ID# 1855548

2004 Chevrolet Chevy C Silverado - 2WD

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Subject: Engine Coolant Recycling and Warranty Information #00-06-02-006D - (08/15/2006)

 

 

 

Models: 2007 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks (Including Saturn)

 

2007 and Prior HUMMER Vehicles

 

2005-2007 Saab 9-7X

 

 

 

Attention: Please address this bulletin to the Warranty Claims Administrator and the Service Manager.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This bulletin is being revised to adjust the title and Include Warranty Information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-06-02-006C (Section 06 - Engine/Propulsion System).

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Coolant Reimbursement Policy

General Motors supports the use of recycled engine coolant for warranty repairs/service, providing a GM approved engine coolant recycling system is used.

 

Recycled coolant will be reimbursed at the GMSPO dealer price for new coolant plus the appropriate mark-up. When coolant replacement is required during a warranty repair, it is crucial that only the relative amount of engine coolant concentrate be charged, not the total diluted volume. In other words: if you are using two gallons of pre-dilluted (50:50) recycled engine coolant to service a vehicle, you may request reimbursement for one gallon of GM Goodwrench engine coolant concentrate at the dealer price plus the appropriate warranty parts handling allowance.

 

Licensed Approved DEX-COOL® Providers

Important: USE OF NON-APPROVED VIRGIN OR RECYCLED DEX-COOL® OR DEVIATIONS IN THE FORM OF ALTERNATE CHEMICALS OR ALTERATION OF EQUIPMENT, WILL VOID THE GM ENDORSEMENT, MAY DEGRADE COOLANT SYSTEM INTEGRITY AND PLACE THE COOLING SYSTEM WARRANTY UNDER JEOPARDY.

 

Following in Table 1 are the only current licensed and approved providers of DEX-COOL®. Products that are advertised as "COMPATIBLE" or "RECOMMENDED" for use with DEX-COOL® have not been tested or approved by General Motors. Non-approved coolants may degrade the coolant system integrity and will no longer be considered a 5 yr/150,000 mile (240,000 km) coolant.

 

Table 1 -- Approved and Licensed Providers of DEX-COOL Products Meeting General Motors GM6277M Specifications License #

Provider

 

DC 001

Chevron

 

DC 002

Prestone

 

DC 003

Shell

 

DC 004

Valvoline

 

DC 005

Recycled Fluid Technologies (Bulk Service)

 

DC 011

GM Vehicle Care

 

DC 011

AC Delco

 

 

Coolant Removal Services/Recycling

The following tables include all coolant recycling processes currently approved by GM. Also included is a primary phone number and demographic information. Used DEX-COOL® can be combined with used conventional coolant (green) for recycling. Depending on the recycling service and/or equipment, it is then designated as a conventional 2 yr/30,000 mile (50,000 km) coolant or DEX-COOL® 5 yr/150,000 mile (240,000 km) coolant. Recycled coolants as designated in this bulletin may be used during the vehicle(s) warranty period.

 

DEX-COOL® Recycling

The DEX-COOL® recycling service listed in Table 2 has been approved for recycling waste engine coolants (DEX-COOL® or conventional) to DEX-COOL® with 5 yr/150,000 mile (240,000 km) usability. Recycling Fluid Technologies is the only licensed provider of Recycled DEX-COOL® meeting GM6277M specifications and utilizes GM approved inhibitor packages. This is currently a limited program being monitored by GM Service Operations which will be expanded as demand increases.

 

Table 2 -- Approved Engine Coolant Recycling Services - DEX-COOL® Recycler

Equipment/Service

Recycled Products

Demographics

Contact

 

Recycling Fluid Technologies

Service

DEX-COOL® Licensed Provider (50/50 pre-mix)

IN, IL, MI, OH

800-474-4947

 

 

Conventional (Green) Recycling

Processes listed in the Table 3 are capable of recycling waste engine coolants (DEX-COOL® or conventional) to a conventional (green) coolant. Recycling conventional coolant can be accomplished at your facility by a technician using approved EQUIPMENT (listed by model number in Table 3), or by an approved coolant recycling SERVICE which may recycle the coolant at your facility or at an offsite operation. Refer to the table below for GM approved coolant recyclers in either of these two categories. Should you decide to recycle the coolant yourself, strict adherence to the operating procedures is imperative. Use ONLY the inhibitor chemicals supplied by the respective (GM approved) recycling equipment manufacturer.

 

Table 3 -- Approved Engine Coolant Recycling Services and Equipment - Conventional Green Recycler

Equipment/Service

Recycled Products

Demographics

Contact

 

Antifreeze Technologies Systems

Service

Conventional Green (50/50 pre-mix)

IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, PA, TX, VA

800-474-4947

 

Asbury Environmental Services/Demenno Kerdoon - Trinity Brand

Service

Conventional Green (50/50 pre-mix)

AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA

800-974-4495

 

Automotive Environmental Service

Service

Conventional Green (50/50 pre-mix)

AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA

650-325-2666

 

Kleentek

AF-250

Conventional Green (50/50 pre-mix)

US, Canada, Mexico

800-435-5336

 

Wynn Oil Company

Du-All Bulk 07400

Conventional Green (50/50 pre-mix)

US, Canada, Mexico

800-GMTools

 

800-989-8363

 

Clore Automotive

TechGuard

Conventional Green (50/50 pre-mix)

US, Canada, Mexico

800-328-2921

 

 

Sealing Tablets

Cooling System Sealing Tablets (Seal Tabs) should not be used as a regular maintenance item after servicing an engine cooling system. Discoloration of coolant can occur if too many seal tabs have been inserted into the cooling system. This can occur if seal tabs are repeatedly used over the service life of a vehicle. Where appropriate, seal tabs may be used if diagnostics fail to repair a small leak in the cooling system. When a condition appears in which seal tabs may be recommended, a specific bulletin will be released describing their proper usage.

 

Water Quality

The integrity of the coolant is dependent upon the quality of DEX-COOL® and water. DEX-COOL® is a product that has enhanced protection capability as well as an extended service interval. These enhanced properties may be jeopardized by combining DEX-COOL® with poor quality water. If you suspect the water in your area of being poor quality, it is recommended you use distilled or de-ionized water with DEX-COOL®.

 

"Pink" DEX-COOL®

DEX-COOL® is orange in color to distinguish it from other coolants. Due to inconsistencies in the mixing of the dyes used with DEX-COOL®, some batches may appear pink after time. The color shift from orange to pink does not affect the integrity of the coolant, and still maintains the 5 yr/150,000 mile (240,000 km) service interval.

 

Back Service

Only use DEX-COOL® if the vehicle was originally equipped with DEX-COOL®.

 

Contamination

Mixing conventional green coolant with DEX-COOL® will degrade the service interval from 5 yrs./150,000 miles (240,000 km) to 2 yrs./30,000 miles (50,000 km) if left in the contaminated condition. If contamination occurs, the cooling system must be flushed twice immediately and re-filled with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® and clean water in order to preserve the enhanced properties and extended service interval of DEX-COOL®.

 

After 5 years/150,000 miles (240,000 km)

After 5 yrs/150,000 miles (240,000 km), the coolant should be changed, preferably using a coolant exchanger. If the vehicle was originally equipped with DEX-COOL® and has not had problems with contamination from non-DEX-COOL® coolants, then the service interval remains the same, and the coolant does not need to be changed for another 5 yrs/150,000 miles (240,000 km).

 

Equipment (Coolant Exchangers)

The preferred method of performing coolant replacement is to use a coolant exchanger. A coolant exchanger can replace virtually all of the old coolant with new coolant. Coolant exchangers can be used to perform coolant replacement without spillage, and facilitate easy waste collection. They can also be used to lower the coolant level in a vehicle to allow for less messy servicing of cooling system components. It is recommended that you use a coolant exchanger with a vacuum feature facilitates removing trapped air from the cooling system. This is a substantial time savings over repeatedly thermo cycling the vehicle and topping-off the radiator. The vacuum feature also allows venting of a hot system to relieve system pressure. Approved coolant exchangers are available through the GMDE (General Motors Dealer Equipment) program (1-800-GM-TOOLS).

 

For refilling a cooling system that has been partially or fully drained for repairs other than coolant replacement, the Vac-N-Fill Coolant Refill Tool (GE-47716) is recommended to facilitate removal of trapped air from the cooling system during refill.

 

 

 

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

 

 

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[CapitalTruck]

Im guessing the Texaco stuff would fall under Chevron's license (same company now). Also, I just changed my coolant today. Used the GM Dex-Cool. I drained the radiator (by disconnecting the lower hose, GM was too cheap to put a drain on mine), filled with water, let cycle until thermostat opened. Did this about 4 times, then filled with Dex-Cool (put half of my system's total capacity worth of Dex-Cool into the system). If for some reason every last drop of the old stuff wasn't out (the water was still slightly pink on the last drain), do I have to worry about having put too much in? Oh yeah, also put new cap on expansion tank.

[03blackburb]

The level went down for a reason. Make sure you don't have any leaks. Leaks mean air in the system which is BAD for dex-cool. It will turn to jellie it there is air is the system.