DexCoool Question
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock Texas
DexCool Question
I feel like a rookie here and I definitely need some help. Even though, I am not new to owning vettes, I am new to owning a C6. Actually, all my previous vettes were pre-79. I went out today and got the "check coolant" warning. So I check and it is a bit low. (I just bought the car 2 weeks ago) This is not my maintenance behavior. Anyway, I checked the owners manual and it said only use Dexcool. Ok, I go to the internet to learn more about Dexcool and run across this class action suit against GM for Dexcool causing engine/gasket problems. So what do you experts think about Dexcool? Do I use a certain brand? 
Your help would be appreciated!
Tusierra6
Your help would be appreciated!
Tusierra6
Last edited by Tusierra6; Jan 25, 2014 at 09:34 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
I used the Orange Prestone for GM cars in everything I own.
Mostly because I like the color. It is like a glass of Sunkist Orange drink when fresh.
When it is no longer pretty, I change it.
Simple as that.
Others will be more technical.
But any coolant with a 50/50 mix will be OK.
Mostly because I like the color. It is like a glass of Sunkist Orange drink when fresh.
When it is no longer pretty, I change it.
Simple as that.
Others will be more technical.
But any coolant with a 50/50 mix will be OK.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
use the Dex that is the 50-50 blend unless you like mixing. the lawsuit thing is very old news. mostly, it had to do with people who for whatever reason let the level get low at which point it started both frothing and doing weird things like turning brownish. no need to worry.
for all the C6s on here in the last nine model years, I don't think I've read of one issue with the fluid. there was recently a thread on a car getting too low level warning; do a search of C6 Gen. nothing to worry about tho.
read the owners manual in that the level should be up to FULL COLD. one person got rid of the check fluid light by adding a pint or so of water (presumably above the suggested/recommended cold full level---not sure I'd do that but....).
for all the C6s on here in the last nine model years, I don't think I've read of one issue with the fluid. there was recently a thread on a car getting too low level warning; do a search of C6 Gen. nothing to worry about tho.
read the owners manual in that the level should be up to FULL COLD. one person got rid of the check fluid light by adding a pint or so of water (presumably above the suggested/recommended cold full level---not sure I'd do that but....).
Last edited by AORoads; Jan 25, 2014 at 08:54 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
Oh, I forgot to add:
We live in a sue me world where the lawyers could care less about you and me as long as they win their class action lawsuits and fill their pockets.
The little people who the lawyers should be fighting for will only see pennies of any action levied.
We live in a sue me world where the lawyers could care less about you and me as long as they win their class action lawsuits and fill their pockets.
The little people who the lawyers should be fighting for will only see pennies of any action levied.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock Texas
I feel like a rookie here and I definitely need some help. Even though, I am not new to owning vettes, I am new to owning a C6. Actually, all my previous vettes were pre-79. I went out today and got the "check coolant" warning. So I check and it is a bit low. (I just bought the car 2 weeks ago) This is not my maintenance behavior. Anyway, I checked the owners manual and it said only use Dexcool. Ok, I go to the internet to learn more about Dexcool and run across this class action suit against GM for Dexcool causing engine/gasket problems. So what do you experts think about Dexcool? Do I use a certain brand?
Your help would be appreciated!
Tusierra6
Your help would be appreciated!
Tusierra6
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
when in doubt just add water. you should NEVER mix Dexcool with any other coolant, it will gum up and make a mess. as long as you change the coolant & cap every 2-3 (I do) you should not have dexcool issues. I have not even had to replace the water pump on my Buick (200 k) and Suburban (100k)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
Not sure what makes Dexcool any better, but that's what GM recommends. I changed mine last fall. It's probably the first time it was changed. I am the second owner and it has 27,000 miles on it. Coolant does lose its efficiency over time to cool and protect against corrosion. The container on the left is what I drained out, the right is ready to add. I bought Prestone Dexcool at Walmart and mixed it 50/50 with distilled water.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
As others have said, Dex-Cool is what you want and NEVER mix Dex-Cool (which is what you have now) with the old style green stuff.
I would never get the 50/50 mix. Too expensive. You will pay about $2 less and only get a half gallon vs a full gallon of the undiluted. And if you flush your own every 5 years you can't use the 50/50 because there will be water in the system after the flush so you will never be able to get the right mix without adding some undiluted and lots of testing. Adding coolant is not something you should have to do regularly so the inconvienience of diluting it yourself isn't a major issue.
I would never get the 50/50 mix. Too expensive. You will pay about $2 less and only get a half gallon vs a full gallon of the undiluted. And if you flush your own every 5 years you can't use the 50/50 because there will be water in the system after the flush so you will never be able to get the right mix without adding some undiluted and lots of testing. Adding coolant is not something you should have to do regularly so the inconvienience of diluting it yourself isn't a major issue.