Extended Life Antifreeze
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Station VA
Extended Life Antifreeze
Anyone using extended life antifreeze? If so, what do you think of it?
Manufacturers recommend draining and flushing the system first. What's a good way to do that on a C5? Is it sufficient to do it the old fashioned way, by opening the drain and inserting a running hose in the radiator until it runs clear?
Manufacturers recommend draining and flushing the system first. What's a good way to do that on a C5? Is it sufficient to do it the old fashioned way, by opening the drain and inserting a running hose in the radiator until it runs clear?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Extended Life Antifreeze (Ron Cleaver)
Ron, The newer C5s have the GM Dex-cool in them. 5 years or 150k miles.
I have never used it but the Prestone Extended life meets the GM spec for dex-cool:
Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant
Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant is recommended and formulated for use in all GM vehicles that require a GM DEX-COOL® approved formula coolant, as well as all other cars and light-duty trucks with aluminum radiators. This patented formula has a concentrated blend of premium, long-lasting inhibitors for extended performance, protecting against temperature extremes and the ravages of rust and corrosion for 5 years or 150,000 miles.
Tip
If you decide to replace your existing antifreeze/coolant with Prestone Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant, make sure you completely drain and flush the cooling system first in order to gain the full benefits of the longer-lasting formula. Also, if you are currently using Prestone Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant in your car's cooling system, and you add a conventional antifreeze/coolant, you will lose the extended protection.
I have never used it but the Prestone Extended life meets the GM spec for dex-cool:
Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant
Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant is recommended and formulated for use in all GM vehicles that require a GM DEX-COOL® approved formula coolant, as well as all other cars and light-duty trucks with aluminum radiators. This patented formula has a concentrated blend of premium, long-lasting inhibitors for extended performance, protecting against temperature extremes and the ravages of rust and corrosion for 5 years or 150,000 miles.
Tip
If you decide to replace your existing antifreeze/coolant with Prestone Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant, make sure you completely drain and flush the cooling system first in order to gain the full benefits of the longer-lasting formula. Also, if you are currently using Prestone Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant in your car's cooling system, and you add a conventional antifreeze/coolant, you will lose the extended protection.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Extended Life Antifreeze (Ron Cleaver)
check your owners manual, it should tell you when to check/change the antifreeze. If it says 5 yrs or 150k miles then you have the extended life stuff.
When did they start using extended life antifeeeze in C5s? Is there a way I can tell if I have it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,909
Likes: 1,858
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: Extended Life Antifreeze (Ron Cleaver)
Honestly, I'd never let my engine coolant go 5 years or 150K, regardless of manufacturers claims. I change out my coolant every two years on my two other cars (only had the Vette for a few weeks), which works out to about 50K miles/car.
The best way to flush the engine is to drain the old stuff, fill with tap water, run the engine 10 minutes to get everything up to temp, repeat one more time, then refill with 50/50 distilled water and DexCool (pick your brand).
Hope this helps,
Mike
The best way to flush the engine is to drain the old stuff, fill with tap water, run the engine 10 minutes to get everything up to temp, repeat one more time, then refill with 50/50 distilled water and DexCool (pick your brand).
Hope this helps,
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: Extended Life Antifreeze (VetteDrmr)
I just had the antifreeze changed on my daily driver. I had the mechanic drain the radiator, engine block and heater core by disconnecting the hoses. Flushed with tap water first, followed with distilled water (to displace the tap water). Refill the system with 50/50 mix of dexcool and distilled water. Replace the thermostat...cheap to replace at this time. Good for another 5 yrs/100k. Very messy job to do at home.
[Modified by luvinc5, 2:01 PM 7/10/2002]
[Modified by luvinc5, 2:01 PM 7/10/2002]
