TheDingo

Putting heads on my car this weekend and I need to get some coolant. What does GM recommend that we use in our cars? Is there another preferred type that many people tend to use?

Can I reuse the coolant that I drained out before pulling the heads? Or is that a no-no? haha. I did a quick search and nothing came up for reusing coolant so I figured I would ask.

Thanks for any assistance!

tim414

If it's not old or contaminated, why not...?

But, doing all that work, IMO, spring for new fluid.

TheDingo

What do the "guys on the forum" typically recommend?

2k Cobra

I use GM Dexcool with distilled water in a 50/50 ratio and one bottle of Red Line Water Wetter.

MyLS1Hauls

Any of the "orange" stuff will be fine. Spring for new coolant, and properly dispose of the old stuff. 50/50 mix.

TheDingo

I'm looking for something I can pick up at the parts store. Any 50/50 mix is good?

JoesC5

I believe GM uses Prestone DexCool.

Larry Myers

The GM spec. for coolant is dexcool. Can be found in most any car parts store. Read your owners manual.

MyLS1Hauls

Orange DexCool approved...Prestone or Havoline is my choice. GM actually used to have a contract with Havoline/Texaco...not sure if that is still in place or not. The 50/50 mixes are a waste of money. You're getting 50% of the coolant you do in a full strength bottle, yet it isn't 50% of the cost. Buy full strength, then use clean tap water (or distilled if you're so inclined) to dilute it.

TheDingo

My owners manual is in my car. My car is in my friend's garage on a lift.

Thanks everyone for the input!

MTPZ06

I hear what you're saying...but we're talking about $15/gallon every 5 years or 50K miles.