Is all "Dex-Cool" created equal???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 987
Likes: 152
From: California
Is all "Dex-Cool" created equal???
Hi... My '12 GS Convertible just turned one year old. I noticed today that the coolant is just a small amount below full cold. I'm new to Dex-cool so help me out here...
The manual says, "Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else needs to be added."
I see that anti-freeze vendors like Prestone make a "Dex-cool. Is it ok to use something like a Prestone version of Dex-cool or should I buy coolant directly from GM???
And regarding the water to mix with the Dex-cool, see where the manual says (in more than one place) to use "drinkable water". But that seems to imply tap water and I saw many posts that said "do NOT use tap water"...
So is distilled water ok??? Or what regarding water???
So help me out both with respect to which Dex-Cool (Prestone versus GM?) to buy and what water to mix with...
thanks... bob...
The manual says, "Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else needs to be added."
I see that anti-freeze vendors like Prestone make a "Dex-cool. Is it ok to use something like a Prestone version of Dex-cool or should I buy coolant directly from GM???
And regarding the water to mix with the Dex-cool, see where the manual says (in more than one place) to use "drinkable water". But that seems to imply tap water and I saw many posts that said "do NOT use tap water"...
So is distilled water ok??? Or what regarding water???
So help me out both with respect to which Dex-Cool (Prestone versus GM?) to buy and what water to mix with...
thanks... bob...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 314
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore Md
Prestone Dexcool ...ok
The first thing I did when I bought my 05 2 years ago was the coolant change. I used the Prestone Dexcool and distilled H20 with no problems. This was the best combination I decided after research and feedback from the forum. My 2cents.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
I think the 50/50 pre-mixed is more expensive. I recently flushed my system 3X using 6 gallons of distilled water. Used the full strength dexcool and saved a little money. My original dexcool was 5 years old and 41,000 miles. It still looked brand new when I drained the old stuff. I bought Autozone's brand - same stuff.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 987
Likes: 152
From: California
My local parts store stocks the AC-Delco Dex-cool (orange). I bought a gallon and mixed up a second bottle of 50% each of Dex-cool and Distilled water...
Only required about a pint to bring it up to Full Cold but I like the water to be full...
Does anyone know where the water goes in a new car with no obvious leaks??? Are there always micro-leaks that cause small amounts to vaporize over time???
Just curious... Anyway, thanks for the help.
bob....
Only required about a pint to bring it up to Full Cold but I like the water to be full...
Does anyone know where the water goes in a new car with no obvious leaks??? Are there always micro-leaks that cause small amounts to vaporize over time???
Just curious... Anyway, thanks for the help.
bob....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 539
Likes: 86
From: Newington CT
I doubt if GM makes any antifreeze so chances are your getting Prestone or another premium brand. Absolutely use distilled water especially if your on well water. When I changed the water pump on the C4 I had AC Delco recommended distilled water in the instructions. It probably has something with the alu. blocks.