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Old Oct 19, 2005 | 09:45 PM
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Default Radiator Fluid

What kind of radiator fluid do we use in our C5's? My 2000' is having some work done to it and I want to be sure that the right stuff is put back in.
Does it matter? Looks orange to me.
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Old Oct 19, 2005 | 09:53 PM
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Dex-Cool. It's a reddish color but may look somewhat orange. Havoline (Texaco) is decent stuff to use. Make sure you use a 45/55 percentage to get the coolant protection to the right level.
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Old Oct 19, 2005 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Dex-Cool. It's a reddish color but may look somewhat orange. Havoline (Texaco) is decent stuff to use. Make sure you use a 45/55 percentage to get the coolant protection to the right level.
I agree, and I only use distilled water, not tap water.


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Old Oct 19, 2005 | 10:20 PM
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50/50
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 12:16 AM
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The Dexcool, Baby. And, Redline Water Wetter.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 01:05 AM
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Following quote from the 2003 Corvette Owner's Manual, Section 5, Service and Appearance > Checking Things Under the Hood > Engine Coolant:

Engine Coolant

The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL® engine coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only DEX-COOL® extended life coolant.

The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with engine overheating, see Engine Overheating on page 5-26.

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL®) coolant will:
  • Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
  • Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
  • Protect against rust and corrosion.
  • Help keep the proper engine temperature.
  • Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.

Notice: When adding coolant, it is important that you use only DEX-COOL® (silicate-free) coolant. If coolant other than DEX-COOL® is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner -- at 30,000 miles (50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use of coolant other than DEX-COOL® is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

What to Use

Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and one-half DEX-COOL® coolant which won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you don’t need to add anything else. Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant.
In addition, the 2003 GM Service Manual says to use only GM Goodwrench® or Havoline® DEX-COOL®. You should find more info on this topic in Section 5, Service and Appearance of your owner's manual.

Hope this helps.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 09:40 AM
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Use the DexCool antifreeze and mix with water at a 50/50 ratio.
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Old Oct 21, 2005 | 05:00 PM
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Dex cool 50/50 w/ water. My dealer (a good one!) has a machine that flushes out the old and automatically mixes dex cool w/ water for the refill
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Old Oct 21, 2005 | 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by GrayC5
Following quote from the 2003 Corvette Owner's Manual, Section 5, Service and Appearance > Checking Things Under the Hood > Engine Coolant:



In addition, the 2003 GM Service Manual says to use only GM Goodwrench® or Havoline® DEX-COOL®. You should find more info on this topic in Section 5, Service and Appearance of your owner's manual.

Hope this helps.
\
Yep
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Old Oct 21, 2005 | 05:14 PM
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Another vote for Havoline Dex-Cool and distilled water.
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Old Oct 22, 2005 | 01:01 AM
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Dex-Cool starts out pinky-red and as it gets toward the end of its service life turns orange.
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